The city’s most elegant theatre, housed in a late 18th-century building, features a generally unflappable repertory of classic Irish, American and European plays. Orson Welles and James Mason played here early in their careers. Even today it is the only theatre in town where you might see established international movie stars work on their credibility with a theatre run.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Rotunda Hospital

0.06 MILES

Irish public hospitals aren’t usually attractions, but this one – founded in 1748 as the first maternity hospital in the British Isles – makes for an…

3. Garden of Remembrance

0.1 MILES

This rather austere little park was opened by President Eamon de Valera in 1966 for the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. The most interesting…

4. Children of Lir Monument

0.11 MILES

In the Garden of Remembrance is a bronze statue of the Children of Lir by Oisín Kelly; according to Irish legend the children were turned into swans by…

5. James Joyce Cultural Centre

0.12 MILES

James Joyce is brought to virtual life in this beautifully restored Georgian house. As well as some wonderful interactive details, the exhibits include…

6. Dublin Writers Museum

0.13 MILES

Memorabilia aplenty and lots of literary ephemera line the walls and display cabinets of this elegant museum devoted to preserving the city’s rich…

7. Irish Writers Centre

0.13 MILES

Next door to the Dublin Writers Museum, which focuses on the dearly departed, the Irish Writers Centre provides a meeting and working place for their…

8. Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin

0.14 MILES

Whatever reputation Dublin has as a repository of world-class art has a lot to do with the simply stunning collection at this exquisite gallery, housed in…