The Abbey, Ireland's National Theatre, first opened on the 27th of December 1904. It was founded by Nobel Laureate William Butler Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory and has played a vital and role in the literary, social and cultural life in Ireland.
The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s National Theatre. It was founded by Nobel Laureate William Butler Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory in 1904 and has played a vital and often controversial role in the literary, social and cultural life of Ireland. Renowned as a writer’s theatre it has contributed some of the world’s greatest theatrical works from such writers as J M Synge and Sean O’Casey through to modern day classics from Brian Friel, Tom Murphy, Frank McGuinness, Hugh Leonard, Tom Mac Intyre and Sebastian Barry. In the Abbey's 2009 season you can enjoy classic drama by Sam Shepard, Tom Mac Intyre, Marina Carr and William Shakespeare. As an icon of world theatre, the Abbey Theatre welcomes many overseas visitors every year.
The auditorium will be closed from July 17 to September 15, with performances of The Plough and the Stars relocating to the nearby OReilly Theatre, Belvedere, Great Denmark Street from July 26 to September 15.
Patrons who have already booked tickets for The Plough and the Stars will be contacted by phone, with the Abbey Box Office and other parts of the theatre remaining open for business throughout the summer.