The Taoiseach has said that he is disappointed at a proposal to move the Abbey Theatre from the North Side of Dublin to the south. The Abbey's Board gave details of the proposed move today. This evening, Mr Ahern referred to what he called the board's U-turn on its proposal for a new building on the existing site. He said that he had been lobbied for support in securing funds to build a new theatre in Abbey Street.
Earlier today the Board of the Abbey Theatre gave details of a proposal to relocate the National Theatre from the North to the South of Dublin city. If approved by the Government, the move could cost in the region of £100 million. The new location would be a site at Grand Canal Quay, close to the Liffey, which could accommodate a state-of-the-art building with much needed improvement in space and flexibility.
The announcement was made today by the theatre's artistic director, Ben Barnes. He said that it was the unanimous decision of the Abbey Board, who felt that moving on to the new site would be the preferred option for the future of the Abbey.
Such a move, if approved by the Government, could cost in the region of £100m. To stay in its present location on Abbey Street and refurbish the present building would cost in the region of £50m, but it is felt that this would not be the solution to the problems of space and flexibility.
