Abbey Theatre

Abbey Theatre

Ireland's National Theatre
Front façade
Abbey Theatre Location within Central Dublin
Address	26 Lower Abbey Street Dublin Ireland
Coordinates	53°20′54″N 6°15′26″W / 53.348333°N 6.257222°W / 53.348333; -6.257222
Owner	Abbey Theatre Limited (prev. National Theatre Society)
Designation	National Theatre of Ireland
Capacity	492
Construction
Opened	1904
Rebuilt	1966
Architect	Joseph Holloway (1904) Michael Scott (1966)
Website
www.abbeytheatre.ie

The Abbey Theatre (Irish: Amharclann na Mainistreach), also known as the National Theatre of Ireland (Irish: Amharclann Náisiúnta na hÉireann), in Dublin, Ireland, is one of the country's leading cultural institutions. First opening to the public on 27 December 1904, and moved from its original building after a fire in 1951, it has remained active to the present day. The Abbey was the first state-subsidized theatre in the English-speaking world; from 1925 onwards it received an annual subsidy from the Irish Free State. Since July 1966, the Abbey has been located at 26 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.

In its early years, the theatre was closely associated with the writers of the Irish Literary Revival, many of whom were involved in its founding and most of whom had plays staged there. The Abbey served as a nursery for many of leading Irish playwrights, including William Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory, Seán O'Casey and John Millington Synge, as well as leading actors. In addition, through its extensive programme of touring abroad and its high visibility to foreign, particularly American, audiences, it has become an important part of the Irish cultural brand.