Thing to do
Temple Bar
Dublin's cobbled cultural quarter between Dame Street and the Liffey, with pubs, the Irish Film Institute, galleries and weekend markets.
Abbey Theatre
Ireland's national theatre, opened in 1904 by Yeats and Lady Gregory, staging new Irish writing and classics on its main stage and the Peacock.
At a glance
- Type
- National theatre
- Area
- North City Centre, Dublin, Ireland
- Official site
- abbeytheatre.ie
Good to know
- Two stages
- JAM Card friendly
- Irish Sign Language performances
Why we recommend it
The Abbey Theatre is the National Theatre of Ireland. It grew out of the Irish National Theatre Society, founded in 1903 by W. B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn, J. M. Synge and George Russell, with funding from the English patron Annie Horniman. The theatre opened on Abbey Street on 27 December 1904, and in 1925 it became the first state-subsidised theatre in the English-speaking world.
Its early history was eventful. J. M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World caused disturbances when it opened in January 1907, and police were called. Sean O'Casey's The Plough and the Stars provoked riots of its own in 1926. A fire in July 1951 destroyed most of the original building, and the company performed at the Queen's Theatre for fifteen years until a new building designed by Michael Scott opened on the same site in July 1966. That is the theatre you visit today.
The Abbey has two stages. The main auditorium seats around 490, and the smaller Peacock on the ground floor is used for new and experimental work. The programme mixes new Irish plays, adaptations and revivals of the classic repertoire by writers such as Synge, O'Casey and their successors. In autumn 2026 the main stage is showing ANIMALS, a world premiere adapted from short stories by Blindboyboatclub, while the Peacock hosts visions, with The Magnificent following from late November into January.
Seeing a play here is one of the best ways to understand modern Irish culture, and a performance makes a good alternative to an evening in the pub. Book online for the widest choice of seats, and check the running time and age guidance for each show. The theatre is JAM Card friendly for people with hidden disabilities, and some performances are interpreted in Irish Sign Language; see the accessibility page for details. Dress is casual, though many people make an effort for evening shows.
The theatre is on Lower Abbey Street, a couple of minutes from O'Connell Street and the Luas stop at Abbey Street. The Custom House, the Liffey quays and Temple Bar across the river are all close, so pre-theatre dinner options are plentiful on both sides of the Liffey.
Abbey Theatre FAQs
Where is the Abbey Theatre?
At 26/27 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, close to O'Connell Street.
When was the Abbey Theatre founded?
It opened on 27 December 1904, following the founding of the Irish National Theatre Society in 1903.
How many stages does it have?
Two: the main auditorium, which seats around 490, and the smaller Peacock stage.
What is on at the Abbey?
In autumn 2026 the programme includes ANIMALS on the main stage, visions on the Peacock, and The Magnificent from 25 November 2026 to 30 January 2027.
Is the Abbey accessible?
The theatre is JAM Card friendly and offers Irish Sign Language performances; the accessibility page has full details.
Is there a dress code?
No, dress is casual, though many people dress up a little for evening performances.
Why is the current building modern?
A fire in 1951 destroyed most of the original theatre, and the present building by Michael Scott opened in 1966.
How do I book?
Tickets are sold online through the Abbey Theatre website and through the box office.