Abbey to get €30m funding boost

The Abbey Theatre is to receive €30m funding until the end of 2011, it emerged today.

The multi-annual allocation from the Arts Council is designed to allow the Abbey to roll out an ambitious three-year theatre programme.

The funding announcement comes on the eve of the Abbey’s launch of its 2008-2009 season tomorrow. It will receive €9.2m in 2009, €10m in 2010 and €11m in 2011.

The central Dublin facility, which is currently seeking a relocation venue, suffered a severe financial crisis in 2005.

Mary Cloake, director of the Arts Council said: “This funding means the Abbey will be able to offer more opportunities to writers, actors and other theatre practitioners, while affording the public access to an increased amount of theatre of the highest quality.”

Fiach Mac Conghail, Director of The Abbey said: “Ireland’s national theatre will continue to invest in and produce new Irish plays and new productions of major international work.

“The Abbey Theatre also takes its responsibility seriously in supporting and working with the Irish theatre community and helping create a strong future for Irish theatre both at home and abroad.”