Vicar Street: Performing arts and events venue
Vicar Street is a concert, performing arts centre and events venue in Dublin, Ireland. Located on Thomas St, Dublin 8. The venue has capacity for 1,050 people for seated performances and 1,500 people for standing gigs. From the Dublin Citi Hotel you just need a 15-minute walk to get to it.
Since opening in 1998, the venue has become a popular setting for a wide range of acts including stand-up comedy, drama performances, and a variety of concerts. The first artist to play on the Vicar’s Stage was local singer/songwriter Shay Cotter. Major international recording artists have performed in the venue, such as Bob Dylan in 2000, Neil Young in 2003 and Paul Simon in 2011 and Lana Del Rey in 2013.
The longest-running show to take place in Vicar Street was Tommy Tiernan’s Loose show with a string of 166 performances.
The Dublin venue, topped the Awards, scooping three gongs: Best National Live Music Venue of the Year and Best Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year, along with a Hot Press Readers Award for Best Live Music Venue in Ireland. Bren Berry from the team accepted the award on behalf of the Aiken’s team, with an emotional speech dedicating the awards to the memory of the late Jim Aiken. Speaking about the venue, Keith Donald.
Other events
The venue hosts the Choice Music Prize ceremony in February/March each year. Occasionally, the venue accommodates higher attendances than expected at smaller venues. In 2008, Canadian indie rock band Wolf Parade’s November, scheduled for Andrew’s Lane Theatre, moved to Vicar Street.
Bob Dylan performed at the venue in 2000 for his first, and as yet, the only gig at the venue. Gary Numan played his first concert in Ireland here in 2001. Planxty played a series of concerts at the venue on 30 & 31 January and on 4 & 5, 11 & 12 February 2004, which were recorded and from which selected material was released on the CD Live 2004 and its associated DVD.
Bell X1 played two shows in November 2008 to celebrate the venue’s tenth anniversary. In March 2009, the Irish Anti-War Movement hosted a fund-raising event at Vicar Street, featuring Christy Moore, Stephen Rea, Sinéad Cussack, Róisín Elsafy, Mick Pyro, Judith Mok and Joyce. A Musicians For Marriage Equality show featuring artists such as Michele Ann Kelly and The Spikes took place at Vicar Street in October 2009.
If you are attending an event or want to visit the venue, from Dublin Citi Hotel is a 20 min walk, passing by Dublinia and Christ Church.