Dublin Theater, Music, Venues
Dublin is full of an incredible mix of theatres, music halls, and arts venues to attend a performance in person. Many of these venues programme an annual season of cultural events and post a calendar of gigs and special performances. Sign up on each site to receive new show announcements in your inbox.
3Arena
The major concert venue in Dublin welcomes the really big names on the music scene, so it is too bad there is no dedicated email newsletter to let me know when dates are announced and tickets go on sale.
Abbey Theatre
The one and only historic Abbey Theatre stages top quality plays throughout the season. I have attended many wonderful performances and highly recommend you stay informed about upcoming productions.
Aiken Promotions
This Dublin music and entertainment scene promoter schedules most of their gigs at Vicar Street which they manage. They put on a cool mix of events at smaller venues around town while booking major concerts at places like the O2. So I cannot understand why no email newsletter exists for their site or for http://www.vicarstreet.ie so I can be the first to know when tickets go on sale.
Alliance Française in Dublin
http://www.alliance-francaise.ie
Learn French in Dublin! With Paris and the rest of France just a short Ryanair or Aer Lingus flight away, you have the perfect opportunity (to) parler un peu français! Besides offering courses in the French language and running a multimedia library, the Alliance Française hosts arts and cultural events all year long.
Button Factory
This colorful modern Temple Bar situated music venue is a great place for local concerts and other music events.
Civic Theatre
I still have yet to attend a performance at this popular theatre next to the Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght. It doesn't help that I am living in Dublin 4 without a car, but fortunately the LUAS red line can take me there when I get the time. As a subscriber to their email newsletter I know they offer a full schedule of plays, comedy, dance, and big name musical events to please any crowd.
Draíocht Arts Centre
I attended the Broadway musical Sweet Charity at this theatre in Blanchardstown (across from the mega shopping centre) and was thoroughly impressed with the acting, staging, and live music. Their schedule is full of not just plays and musicals but also family events, dance, and film throughout the year.
Gaiety Theatre
Close to St. Stephen’s Green shopping center, Dublin’s magical Gaiety Theatre hosts big name plays, musicals, family events, and traveling productions. While they claim to offer an email newsletter they do not as the link goes to Ticketmaster which requires that you create a regular account.
Gate Theatre
The acclaimed Gate Theatre up on Parnell Square stages many high quality plays in addition to special musical and theatrical events. Sign up to their email newsletter to stay informed and be the first to know when tickets go on sale.
Grand Canal Theatre (Bord Gáis Energy)
http://www.grandcanaltheatre.ie
A stunning theatre in the revitalized Grand Canal Docklands area, this large modern facility is the place to go for major traveling productions from the West End and Broadway as well as world-class dance, opera, and musical performance. Unfortunately they lack an email newsletter and require you to sign up at Ticketmaster.ie to find out what is going on. Note the recent branding as the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
Grand Social
Located at a convenient spot at the base of the Ha'penny Bridge, this multi-purpose venue is home to weekly music events, cool concerts, and even a flea market, so check out their website and sign-up to the newsletter.
Instituto Cervantes Dublin
Learn to speak Spanish in Dublin at the official government centre near the back entrance of Trinity College. The institute hosts Spanish cultural events and film screenings throughout the year. So if you want your own “place in the sun” in Spain, trek through Spanish-speaking countries, or just want to be a part of their rich cultural heritage, sign up for their newsletter.
Instituto Italiano di Cultura Dublino
https://iicdublino.esteri.it/iic_dublino/en/
The Italian cultural institute has an office in Dublin to promote everything Italian and create a sense on community among our residents and expats. From language to history to cinema to food to an annual Italian festival in Dublin, follow them for the latest happenings.
Mill Theatre
Located near the Dundrum Town Centre, this relatively new theatre stages popular musicals and other productions. I look forward to attending an event here in the near future.
National Concert Hall
Everyone knows the National Concert Hall is the place to go to hear the symphony and in addition to classical music they also offer opera, jazz, ballet, choral, and popular music. Their sign up form requires you to take the time to create an account and enter your mailing address.
Olympia Theatre
This former Victorian music hall on Dame Street is now a popular concert venue. It looks small on the outside, but holds an impressive 1,240 seats inside at a very steep incline, so if you have vertigo choose a seat in the Stalls. Their production schedule includes a wide mix of top concerts as well as musical theatre, comedians, and family-friendly shows. I recommend that you buy tickets at their box office in person to save on the Ticketmaster.ie service fees.
Pavilion Theatre
The main theatre of Dun Laoghaire offers a variety of events from comedy to music to plays. Subscribing to their email newsletter requires that you create a password for future booking purposes.
Project Arts Centre
http://www.projectartscentre.ie/
The variety of cultural performances at Project Arts is amazing with a diverse mix of plays, fringe events, dance, music, and serious productions. Generally ticket prices are quite reasonable and they also have a gallery at ground level and a bar upstairs.
Royal Irish Academy
I was pleased to learn that The Academy of The Sciences and Humanities in Ireland sponsors public events in Dublin with an scholarly, literary, and research focus. The Academy House is easy to find on Dawson Street. They host a heady mix of talks, interviews, and in-depth lectures on topics from history, literature, science, and current discoveries and events happening around Ireland. Joining their mailing list is the best way to subscribe to the RIA and join in the discussion.
RTÉ Performing Groups
Five musical groups that are responsible for performing at over 250 events annually form the RTÉ Performing Groups. Their live concerts are held at performance spaces such as the National Concert Hall in Dublin. While classical music is a major focus overall, other events bring in international stars or use popular and modern music to play something for everyone and at every price point.
The Academy
http://www.theacademydublin.com/
The live music venue at The Academy doesn't look like much from the outside on Middle Abbey Street alongside the LUAS tracks. Inside is another story with a professional multi-story concert space to please any fan.
The Lir
The National Academy of Dramatic Art (part of Trinity College Dublin) offers courses in every aspect of theatre from acting to direction to writing. The Lir is also their venue for performances, events, and arts exhibitions. Located in a cool part of town, the Grand Canal Dock, it is relatively new to the scene and a welcome addition. You can sign up for their “What’s On” email list and you will also find other major festivals using their modern space to stage a variety of theatrical events.
Theatre@36 (Teachers Club)
https://www.facebook.com/Theatre36
The Teachers Club home (in Irish na Múinteoirí) is a stately Georgian building at 36 Parnell Square and has a venue referred to as T36. Since it is available for hire, it plays host to a wide variety of events including plays, improv comedy, themed parties and club gatherings. There are event listings on the club website but the Theatre 36 Facebook page is the place to find out what events are coming soon.
Whelan’s
A packed schedule of gigs and concerts guaranteed to appeal to almost any musical taste, Whelan’s on Wexford Street is one of the most successful live music venues (and it is also a pub) in Dublin for a reason.
Workman’s Club
http://www.theworkmansclub.com/
This Temple Bar venue has 5 performance spaces and hosts an impressive array of concerts and gigs from a number of Dublin promoters.