Ten-fold profit increase at National Concert Hall

PROFITS at the National Concert Hall (NCH) hit €231,000 in 2005 as the venue attracted record attendances.

The NCH's annual report for 2005, released yesterday, show attendance climbed to a record 313,375, up nearly 33,000 on the 2004 figure. The average attendance level, a measure of how full the venue was, increased by 5% to 79%.

Box office receipts for the year were up 11% to €5.4 million as a result of the higher attendance, which led to a net profit of €231,297 a near 10-fold increase on the previous year. Around €1.7m in turnover came from hiring out the hall.

The number of events held in the NCH rose 9% to 433, including 319 in the main auditorium.

NCH chairman Dr Dermot Egan said record sales and profits made 2005 their best year ever.

"Financial data does not reflect the National Concert Hall's objectives of cultural inclusiveness - this can only come with the events and performances. In 2005, these ranged from classical, choral, operatic, ballet to traditional, popular, jazz, contemporary and world music," Dr Egan added.

Dr Egan welcomed the Government decision to press ahead with redeveloping the NCH Earlsfort Terrace site, giving the NCB a new main auditorium with 2,000 seats.

He said when the redevelopment is complete, the NCH will be a "world class" performing centre.