News

Abbey Theatre to be redeveloped on existing site

Wednesday, 20 February 2002 20:58

Síle de Valera has announced that the Abbey Theatre is to be redeveloped at its present site in Dublin City Centre. The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands told the News At One that she has met the chairman of the Abbey board, James Hickey, and two other members, to inform them of the Government's decision.

Ms de Valera said that the development would be pursued through a Public-Private Partnership. She said that the expert advice from the Office of Public Works was that, on balance, the theatre should stay at its present site. She added that this was also her own personal preference.

Mr Hickey told the News At One he welcomed the government decision, but added it had to be recognised as a decision in principle. He said much work had to be done and it had not yet been established that the theatre's objectives could be achieved on the present site.

The Green Party has accused the Government of "getting it wrong again". Green Party City Councillor Ciaran Cuffe said today: "The Carlton cinema site on O'Connell Street, which was recently purchased by Dublin City Council, would have made a much better home for the Abbey. The presence of the National Theatre on O'Connell Street would also have been a great boost to the restoration of our greatest civic street."