O'Donoghue: Competition will deliver world-class theatre

An international design competition will ensure Ireland’s proposed new National Theatre will rival any in the world, Minister for the Arts John O’Donoghue said today.

The winning entry is expected to be chosen next summer with the new Abbey Theatre, comprising three auditoria at Dublin’s George’s Dock, scheduled to open in 2010.

Minister O’Donoghue said: “I am delighted to announce that the redevelopment of the National Theatre at the new George’s Dock Site is proceeding.

“Ireland has a very fine tradition in the writing, direction and production of drama.

“It’s a tradition that extends back many hundreds of years through a pantheon of world-renowned writers and dramatists and, I’m glad to say, includes contemporary writers and dramatists who are making an indelible mark globally.

“The new Abbey Theatre at George’s Dock provides us with a setting, stage and arena worthy of that global pre-eminence.”

The minister said an inter-agency group representing his department, the Office of Public Works, the National Development Finance Agency, the Abbey Theatre and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) would oversee the project.

The project, which will be built on land provided free of charge by the DDDA, forms part of the urban regeneration plan represented by the O’Connell Street Integrated Area Plan and North East Inner City Plan.

Facilities in the the new theatre building will include a publicly accessible archive as well as access for disabled audiences and artists.

Once the new Abbey is opened the building currently housing the existing theatre will be sold.