Nun's Island Theatre is an 82-seat performance venue, operated by the Galway Arts Centre, in the Nun's Island area of Galway city in Ireland.
.jpg) Classical-style façade of the venue on Nun's Island Street, Galway | |
 Interactive map of Nun's Island Theatre | |
| Address | Nun's Island Street Galway Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°16′20″N 9°03′27″W / 53.2723°N 9.0576°W |
| Owner | Galway City Council[1] |
| Capacity | 82 (seats)[2] |
| Type | Theatre and arts venue |
| Designation | Protected structure |
| Parking | No |
| Construction | |
| Built | c. 1840 |
| Renovated | 2004 |
| Tenants | |
| Galway Arts Centre[1] | |
History
editThe theatre operates from a former Presbyterian meeting house,[3] which was built c. 1840 by architect James Cusack.[4][5] The building, which is a protected structure,[6] was repurposed as a cultural venue in the early 1980s and became the home of the Galway Arts Centre.[1] The building was purchased by Galway City Council in 1986 and renovated in 2004.[1]
The "church house", at the rear of Nun's Island Theatre, was acquired in 2015.[7] In 2021, €170,000 in funding was allocated to develop the church house into an additional "creative space" at the venue.[7] In 2023 and 2024, additional funding was allocated (via the city council and European Regional Development Fund) for conservation and repairs to the theatre.[2][8]
Use
editNun's Island Theatre retains several of the architectural features from its time as a church, including high ceilings and large windows. The interior has been modified to suit its current use as a theatre,[citation needed] with seating for 82 people.[2]
The venue is used for theatrical productions, exhibitions,[9][10] private screenings, and conferences.[1] It is also home to the Galway Youth Theatre and has been used as a venue during the Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Theatre Festival.[11][12]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 "Visitor Information". galwayartscentre.ie. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024.
- 1 2 3 Kelly, Briain (28 March 2023). "€100,000 funding for conservation of Nuns Island Theatre". Galway Daily. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ "New Galway Arts Centre". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ "Nun's Island Theatre, Nun's Island Street, Townparks (St. Nicholas' parish), Galway, Galway". buildingsofireland.ie. National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ↑ "Co. Galway, Galway, Nun's Island Street, Presbyterian Church". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Irish Architectural Archive. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ↑ "Record of Protected Structures - RPS7407" (PDF). geo.galwaycity.ie. Galway City Council. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- 1 2 "More than €170,000 secured to develop new 'creative space' at Nuns Island". Galway Advertiser. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ↑ "Galway City Council Welcomes €3.8 million Funding for Nun's Island Theatre Renovation". galwaycity.ie. Galway City Council. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ↑ "Disquiet Nights: Shadow Songs by Ceara Conway at the Nuns Island Theatre". This is Galway. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ "'Identity' Exhibition at Nun's Island Theatre". This is Galway. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ↑ "Galway International Arts Festival - Venues - Nun's Island Theatre". giaf.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ↑ "Galway Theatre Festival programme to launch stellar lineup with major celebration". galwaybeo.ie. 28 March 2024.
In previous editions of the [Galway theatre] festival, locations such as [..] Nuns Island Theatre, Mick Lally Theatre and The Spanish Arch have all previously been used