Dublin has no shortage of brilliant theatres and nightclubs, but if you aren’t sure which would suit you best, then this list is for you.
From plays to dramas to musicals and comedies, whatever you’re in the mood for, Dublin’s theatre scene will be there for you.
Dublin’s Famous & Iconic Venues:
Dublin is a theatre haven and has been for quite a while, with some theatres more well-known than others. However, if you aren’t too knowledgeable about Dublin theatres, this list will help you get acquainted with them.
The 3Olympia Theatre is chock-full of history, talent, and promise. Dating back to 1879, it has changed ownership numerous times, but what it hasn’t changed is its iconicity and dedication to hosting the best theatrical and musical performances possible.
Originally opened in 1871, The Gaiety has presented thousands of dramas, musicals, pantos and comedies alike. One of Dublin’s, dare I say Ireland’s, most famous theatres, The Gaiety, has a rich and eclectic history and feel that has been maintained to this day.
The Gate Theatre is yet another historical theatre in the heart of Dublin and is very well known in the Dublin theatrical landscape. It was founded in 1928 by Hilton Edwards and Micheál MacLiammóir. They have put on a plethora of world-renowned plays and shows in Dublin and have earned themselves a major part in the world of theatre in Dublin Town.
The Smock Alley Theatre has quite a historic backstory, being the only “Royal Theatre” to ever be built outside of England. Smock Alley Theatre has quite the resumé, having been used as a church and warehouse over its 360-year tenure before returning to its theatrical roots in 2012.
The New Theatre is, as its name suggests, new. While the building has been standing since 1691, the theatre/bookshop has only been used as such since 1997. This fact, however, does not take away from its ability to put on incredible performances with incredible talent.
The Ambassador Theatre was at one point the oldest operational cinema in Ireland and was functional until 1999, before it was turned into a music venue from 2001 – 2008. As of 2024, it is a live music venue and event centre. They are dedicated to providing the most exceptional live music they can.
Yet another one of Ireland’s most iconic theatres, the Abbey Theatre is steeped in history and cultural importance. They first opened their doors in 1904 with 3 performances, including the premiere of On Baile’s Strand by W.B. Yeats. Over the years, it has only become more iconic and more important to the fabric of Dublin, especially in its ever-growing world of theatre.
The Glass Mask is a haven for aspiring playwrights and actors alike; every show produced here is a premiere, and they are very happy to help up-and-coming theatre fanatics achieve their dreams.
Must-See Performances:
While we think all of the shows in these theatres are must-sees, we also know that seeing them all would be quite expensive, so we’ve compiled a list of the shows we think are unmissable.
For those who didn’t know, the West End is essentially Britain’s very own Broadway, putting on the highest level of theatre one can perform at in the English-speaking world. This production is a reunion of old friends from the West End that includes plenty of musical segments that viewers are sure to enjoy.
The Monk is a one-man show performed by Rex Ryan, the Creative Director of The Glass Mask Theatre and actor, about the history and life of the notorious crime boss Gerry ” The Monk” Hutch.
Jim has lost everyone and everything he ever loved – his daughter, his mother, his wife. On the streets with nothing and nobody. They’ve not spoken to him in over twenty years, due to a horrific and violent act. He drifts through the world, accepting and forgetting the past, but today, the past comes to say hello.
The Cave is the premiere of a new story written by Kevin Barry about two brothers roughing it in a cave in County Sligo after a run-in with the law. They attempt to find a way out of their desperate situation in this play starring Tommy Tiernan, Judith Roddy and Aaron Monaghan.
Static is yet another world premiere. This play, written by Jimmy McAleavey and directed by John King, is about a veteran U.S. Astronaut returning home for the last time, and at the same time, a Donegal man is scouring radio waves to find someone to talk to, the sheer unlikelihood of this duo conversing will lead to a life-altering collision.
Lunch Punch Power Hour:
A world premiere production, The Lunch Punch Power Hour in Conference Room 4, is written by Caitríona Daly and directed by Raymond Keane. In the Irish offices of a fund management firm, three employees have the duration of their lunch hour to determine how best to spend the balance of their company’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility budget. Behind a locked door and out of sight of management, the task escalates into an increasingly outlandish and hilarious debate revealing secret passions and uncomfortable truths.
Billy and Maggie have been married for over 40 years. Having moved away from home and family to set up Bill’s dentistry business in the United States, the couple face a new challenge when Maggie’s health begins to deteriorate. As the couple reminisce, their home fills with their memories and the presence of their younger selves, and the moving story of their lifelong relationship comes vividly to life.
In the warmth of the Donegal harvest of 1936, the five Mundy sisters, Kate, Maggie, Rose, Agnes and Chris, love, survive, fight, and dance. This unforgettable summer brings the possibility of joy and love to these extraordinary, ordinary women. Brian Friel’s moving and timeless masterpiece about family, home and belonging returns by popular demand.
Direct from London’s West End and the four-time smash-hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, Myra’s Story tells the unforgettable tale of a middle-aged homeless alcoholic struggling to survive on the streets of Dublin as she begs from passers-by on the famous Ha’penny Bridge. Written by Irish playwright Brian Foster and starring acclaimed actor Fíonna Hewitt-Twamley.
Eíre to Everywhere: Stories without Borders – with Róisín Lanigan:
EPIC is proud to welcome emigrant author Róisín Lanigan to the museum to discuss her latest novel, I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There, as part of our new ‘Eíre to Everywhere: Stories without Borders’ lecture series. We will explore the themes of loneliness, loss, belonging and the concept of ‘home’. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A with the audience and a chance to have your copy signed by the author.
From the critically-acclaimed WHEN RACHEL MET FIONA team, writer Colette Cullen brings her raw, touching and funny style to a heartfelt story about the complexities of love. Every love story has a beginning, middle and end – the trick is knowing where you’re at.
Tips for getting the most out of your theatre experience:
Seating: While the perfect seat will vary from person to person, in theatres of any kind, the most common seating that is seen as “best” is usually smack dab in the middle, which allows you to have the easiest viewing experience as you aren’t too close or too far, while also being the perfect section in terms of sound quality
Others:
Much like a movie theatre, theatres have some rules, such as turning your phone off or other devices. Talking is also frowned upon, and in fairness, in a movie theatre, the actors can’t hear the audience, so for the best possible experience this summer, just sit back, relax and take in all that these performances have to offer.
Tickets:
We always recommend booking your tickets online in advance, simply to avoid disappointment and chagrin.
Performances for the kids:
Joe’s show fuses laugh-out-loud comedy magic with absolutely jaw-dropping spectacular illusions live on stage. It’s a rollercoaster theatrical ride that reinvents children’s entertainment.
Grab your compass and join the 3Olympia’s intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a prehistoric world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs.
We at Dublin Town hope you have an incredible summertime and get to take in all that Dublin has to offer in the Theatre World.
