Nuns Island Theatre
Performance venue in Galway, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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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 | 53.2723°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 |
| Tenant | |
| Galway Arts Centre[1] | |
History
The 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
Nun'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]