Green light for Abbey plan

THE Government is going ahead with its €100 million rebuilding plan for the Abbey Theatre on its existing site.

Arts Minister John O’Donoghue’s proposal for a public-private partnership scheme to help fund the rebuilding of the national theatre was sanctioned by the Cabinet yesterday.

The first preference is to build the theatre at its existing location off O’Connell Street by buying some adjoining property for an expanded site.

But if that is not feasible, then an alternative location will be examined, leaving the prospect open of moving to the Carlton Cinema site on O’Connell Street.

The minister will now invite expressions of interest from the private sector on the plan. The redevelopment will include the Abbey and Peacock Theatres and address the size and space problems being encountered.

The Government has not yet said how much money it is willing to put forward for the redevelopment.

The attraction for developers come from the prospect of building offices or apartments on top of a new theatre complex in a prime city centre location.

Last night, Mr O’Donoghue said he was pleased that it will be possible to move forward to the next stage of the development.

“I look forward to the creation in due course of a new home for the national theatre that reflects its important place in the cultural life of the nation and as the cradle of dramatic genius,” he said.

His comments about the Abbey will renew concerns in the arts community about the national theatre’s fate.

The Government has already rejected a move by the Abbey board to relocate from its current site just north of the Liffey and also brushed aside efforts to rebuild it at the Carlton Cinema site.