Smock Alley theatre project on hold after objections

Published Thursday 6 December 2007 at 11:10 by Anthony Garvey

The restoration of what is said to be one of Europe’s oldest theatres, Smock Alley, in Dublin’s Temple Bar, has been hit by planning objections.

A €7.2 million plan by the Gaiety School of Acting to redevelop the theatre, which was built in 1662, has been approved by Dublin City Council and a state grant of 2 million euro has been allocated to the project. But now a Temple Bar resident and a conservationist are objecting to permission being granted and have appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala, the Irish planning board.

According to the local resident, there is concern about the noise that a theatre in the area would generate, particularly as it would include a bar. Damien Cassidy, of the Irish Heritage and Conservation Group, said he was objecting because he felt it would be more in keeping with the original architecture of the area if a church, which had occupied part of the half-acre site, was restored, rather than the theatre. It was a “totally unsuitable” venue for a theatre, he claimed.

The Gaiety School’s ambitious plans include a 220-seat theatre, plus a 110-seat studio space and seven rehearsal/training studios. Fund-raising is on target for the project, which has been described as “inspirational” by Irish Hollywood star Liam Neeson, one of the acting school’s patrons.

In a message to school director Partrick Sutton, he wrote: “I am particularly excited about this project. For the school to rebuild a theatre on the site of the original 1662 Smock Alley is inspirational. For it to be a resource for the theatre community as a whole is an added bonus.

“It is an ambitious project and one which I am delighted to support. Let the new Smock Alley Theatre of the 21st century be a true reflection of Dublin’s original Smock Alley, a resource for the city of Dublin, for Ireland and the world.”

As a result of the objections, the project will have to be put on hold until the planning board delivers its judgement, which is expected to come early next year.