The Olympia Theatre, music in the heart of Dublin

The Olympia Theatre

The Olympia Theatre is a beautifully preserved theatre in the heart of Dublin City. One of Dublin’s most loved music venues. Surely, hosts a wide range of events every year including live music, comedy & theatre shows. Especially, its location makes it an excellent choice for anyone staying at the Dublin Citi Hotel; or any area of Dublin Town. With this in mind, if you are attending an event at this venue is only a 3-min walk from the hotel.

You can get there in only 3-min walking from Dublin Citi Hotel!

The Olympia, along with Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre and The Helix Theatre, presents an annual Christmas pantomime.

Dublin’s Olympia Theatre started out as The Star of Erin Music Hall in 1879. Before building the theatre, was Connell’s Monster Saloon, a former saloon and music hall. It was renamed Dan Lowrey’s Music Hall in 1881. In 1889 it was renamed again, this time to Dan Lowrey’s Palace of Varieties. It was finally designated its present-day title in 1923.

The Olympia Theatre

Refurbishments

In November 1974, the Olympia was forced to close following major structural damage when parts of the proscenium arch and the ceiling above collapsed during a break in rehearsals for a production of West Side Story.

The possibility of demolishing the building was considered by the local council and the owners; however, a restoration fund was begun and city councillors eventually placed a preservation order on the theatre. The theatre was restored and redecorated, allowing it to reopen on 14 March 1977.

In November 2004, a truck reversing on Dame Street crashed into the front of the Olympia, damaging the building. A cast-iron and glass canopy from the 1890s, by the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, was demolished during the accident but has since been restored. In 2016, the theatre was again refurbished. This time the building was completely refurbished at a cost of over €4 million with the venue remaining open during renovation work.

Performance history

The venue has hosted both domestic and international acts, including Adele, Aslan, David Bowie, Charlie Chaplin, Billy Connolly, Chris Cornell, Florence and the Machine, Foo Fighters, Kraftwerk, Laurel and Hardy, Gary Numan, Radiohead, The Coronas, The Killers and The Script.

Opening Times

Sunday 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (All year)

Closed on 1 January; Good Friday; 24, 25 and 26 December; and Monday public holidays.

Following the Irish Government directive extending the ban on all mass gatherings, The Olympia Theatre has now postponed all affected shows, in the interests of health and welfare of all.

If you are attending an event at this venue is only a 3-min walk from Dublin Citi Hotel.

COVID Update: Following the Irish Government directive extending the ban on all mass gatherings, The Olympia Theatre has now postponed all affected shows, in the interests of health and welfare of all. Learn more.

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