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Introduction
Smock Alley Theatre 1662 is a resource for Dublin, Ireland and the world. Respecting its extraordinary history and heritage of its original 1662 site, Smock Alley Theatre provides artists and audiences with a unique opportunity to create and experience work that challenges, inspires and entertains.
The past, the present and the future of theatre in Ireland come to life in Smock Alley.
Smock Alley was the first Theatre Royal built in Dublin. John Ogilby opened it in 1662 as part of the Restoration of the British monarchy and King Charles II in 1660, along with the London's Drury Lane (1662) and the Lincoln's Inn Fields (1661). It was the first custom-built theatre in the city and still remains in substantially the same form, making it one of the most important sites in European theatre history.
Smock Alley was the first theatre outside London to receive the title of Theatre Royal, but because it had been built on land reclaimed from the Liffey, the building was unstable and the gallery collapsed twice; it was rebuilt in 1735.
In the mid-1740s, Thomas Sheridan took on the role of manager of Smock Alley and made many improvements to it. While it was in operation as a theatre, it gave the world the plays of George Farquhar, Oliver Goldsmith, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and the brilliant performances of Peg Woffington, Thomas Sheridan, Spranger Barry, and Charles Macklin. It was on this stage that David Garrick, the greatest actor of the 18th century, first played Hamlet.
The theatre closed in 1787. The building was then used as a whiskey store until Father Michael Blake bought it to set a church. When the bell tolled in 1811, 18 years before the Catholic Emancipation, the first Catholic bell to ring in Dublin in nearly 300 years was heard. The facade boasts ornate stained glass windows and the original ceiling plasterwork remain in the Smock Alley as a witness of this time.
In 1989, the church was deconsecrated due to falling numbers of parishioners. It was then redeveloped into the 'Viking Adventure,' as part of the Temple Bar rejuvenation scheme, closing down in 2002. After a six-year renovation, Smock Alley Theatre reopened its doors as Dublin's oldest newest theatre in May 2012. Besides recovering its old purpose, Smock Alley is also the new home of The Gaiety School of Acting – The National Theatre School of Ireland. With three gorgeous venues, Smock Alley is the perfect place to spend a cultural evening out.
The past, the present and the future of theatre in Ireland come to life in Smock Alley.
Smock Alley was the first Theatre Royal built in Dublin. John Ogilby opened it in 1662 as part of the Restoration of the British monarchy and King Charles II in 1660, along with the London's Drury Lane (1662) and the Lincoln's Inn Fields (1661). It was the first custom-built theatre in the city and still remains in substantially the same form, making it one of the most important sites in European theatre history.
Smock Alley was the first theatre outside London to receive the title of Theatre Royal, but because it had been built on land reclaimed from the Liffey, the building was unstable and the gallery collapsed twice; it was rebuilt in 1735.
In the mid-1740s, Thomas Sheridan took on the role of manager of Smock Alley and made many improvements to it. While it was in operation as a theatre, it gave the world the plays of George Farquhar, Oliver Goldsmith, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, and the brilliant performances of Peg Woffington, Thomas Sheridan, Spranger Barry, and Charles Macklin. It was on this stage that David Garrick, the greatest actor of the 18th century, first played Hamlet.
The theatre closed in 1787. The building was then used as a whiskey store until Father Michael Blake bought it to set a church. When the bell tolled in 1811, 18 years before the Catholic Emancipation, the first Catholic bell to ring in Dublin in nearly 300 years was heard. The facade boasts ornate stained glass windows and the original ceiling plasterwork remain in the Smock Alley as a witness of this time.
In 1989, the church was deconsecrated due to falling numbers of parishioners. It was then redeveloped into the 'Viking Adventure,' as part of the Temple Bar rejuvenation scheme, closing down in 2002. After a six-year renovation, Smock Alley Theatre reopened its doors as Dublin's oldest newest theatre in May 2012. Besides recovering its old purpose, Smock Alley is also the new home of The Gaiety School of Acting – The National Theatre School of Ireland. With three gorgeous venues, Smock Alley is the perfect place to spend a cultural evening out.
Contact Info
Address:
6/7 Exchange Street Lower
Temple Bar
Dublin 8
Ireland
Temple Bar
Dublin 8
Ireland
Tel:
+353 1 6770014
Fax:
+353 1 6799196
Website:
http://www.smockalley.com
Offering
- Theatre/The Arts/Events/Launches/Venue Rental
Hours of operation
| From | To | From | To | From | To | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 10am | 6pm | ||||
| Tuesday | Open | 10am | 6pm | ||||
| Wednesday | Open | 10am | 6pm | ||||
| Thursday | Open | 10am | 6pm | ||||
| Friday | Open | 10am | 6pm | ||||
| Saturday | Open | 10am | 6pm | ||||
| Sunday | Closed | ||||||
Meet Our Team (1)
Caoimhe Connolly
Box Office & Marketing Manager
Caoimhe Connolly is the Box Office and Marketing Manager in Smock Alley Theatre, 1662. Her background is in Project Development and Event Management. Her previous roles include Events & Operations Manager in the Abbey Theatre, Site Management and Logistics for Electric Picnic and Box Office & Venue Manager for Galway Arts Festival. She has also worked with a range of Arts organisations and festivals including Dublin Writers Festival, Dublin Dance Festival, Druid, Cuirt, Galway Film Fleadh, the Ark, Galway Comedy Festival, an Taibhdhearc, Carysfort Press & Fallon publishing. She studied Film & TV Production, received an award for her documentary work and is the floor manager for GiftedLive. She also works as a freelance producer
