Smock Alley Theatre 1662
Smock Alley Theatre 1662
4.5
10:00 - 18:00
Monday
10:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 18:00
Thursday
10:00 - 18:00
Friday
10:00 - 18:00
Saturday
10:00 - 18:00
About
Dublin's newest oldest theatre. Enjoys contemporary takes on the classic and the excitement of the emerging artist. Smock Alley was the first Theatre Royal built in Dublin. John Ogilby opened it in 1662 as part of the Restoration of the British monarchy and King Charles II in 1660, along with the London’s Drury Lane (1662) and the Lincoln’s Inn Fields (1661). It was the first custom-built theatre in the city and still remains in substantially the same form, making it one of the most important sites in European theatre history. For more than a century, Smock Alley put Irish theatre on the European map, acting as the very core of an Ireland striving to find its own voice. If we are to ask historically what makes theatre such an important part of culture today, we would need to go back more than two centuries before the founding of The Abbey Theatre, to the Smock Alley Theatre of the 17th century.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Temple Bar
How to get there
- Four Courts • 5 min walk
- Jervis • 5 min walk
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4.5
131 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
17
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Hannah
Ireland320 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
I ordered a glass of Merlot and the staff member handed it to me, she then increased the price. I pointed out to her that the menu set out the price and she just shrugged her shoulders and said the menu was wrong. Her colleague also agreed that the menu was wrong. I pointed out to her that the menu was their responsibility and she said she couldn’t be arsed changing it. Really nasty and condescending. Pity because the show wasn’t bad.
Written 5 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
puffinphilly
london66 contributions
Sept 2022
Lovely theatre which i happened on by chance due to the location of my hotel during my 2 night horse racing break. Saw a one hour play On a house like a fire which was about memories and certainly made me remember my late mother and growing up. The staff were very nice. Hopefully i will return for another visit some time in the future
Nice way to spend an hour.
Nice way to spend an hour.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JLandMike
Cochrane, Canada775 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Saw a wonderful play (Curious case of Albert Cashier). Lovely theatre. Best part was the person working the ticket counter. We had stopped by to find out what was playing and got great advice. We couldn’t decide so left and came back later to buy. Superior customer service. Really enjoyed our first Irish play!
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polly Lolly
Dublin, Ireland42 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Show was only 1 hour, not a ballet driven performance more string quartet by candlelight. Candles created a nice light in the room. Talented musicians and ballerinas, however there was something lacking. Chief violinist read some introductions from notes that were poorly delivered, ballet choreography was light and repetitive. Wouldn’t recommend unless chairs are tiered. Rows 1-2 were the only rows that had a good view. We left disappointed
Written 22 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holly c
Dublin, Ireland17 contributions
Jul 2019
Irelands oldest theatre is still putting on fantastic productions. Tickets are always good value and there is a really eclectic number of performances. Staff are some of the friendliest I've ever encountered.
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elderly traveler
Weymouth, MA257 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Smock Alley theater is an intimate space in the Temple Bar district of Dublin. We saw an electric, new play by a local playwright. A theater in that location dates to 1622. In Shakespeare’s time it was a royal theater and staged plays by the King’s Men.
Written 2 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay W
Edinburgh172 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
We booked the Roaring Banshees online, printed the tickets at home and didn't know quite what to expect. Great set up in a converted building. Seats on three sides with the audience looking down on the performance amphitheatre style.
The play was very good and the actors excellent.
Tips: Seats are unnumbered - be there when the doors open. Could do with a few more ladies loos.
The play was very good and the actors excellent.
Tips: Seats are unnumbered - be there when the doors open. Could do with a few more ladies loos.
Written 1 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa K
Dublin, Ireland16 contributions
Jan 2018
Went to see The Friday Night Effect! Gorgeous theatre - really intimate and the play so interactive! Really enjoyed it!!
Written 24 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liam L
Monaghan46 contributions
Apr 2017
Went to see " A life in theatre " in the " Boys school " in Smock alley theatre. Brilliant & atmospheric with super acoustics. The audience is drawn into the production by the intimacy and use of the space. The show was very clever and witty. The venue and production were made for each other.
Written 13 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi LimaMonaghan, thanks so much for your kind words about A Life in the Theatre. We've thoroughly enjoyed having the company in and we'd agree with you that they've used that space very well! Hope to see you back again in the future!
Written 15 April 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
saylin68502
Lincoln, NE69 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Our hotel was right around the corner from this theatre, and as we were a bit overwhelmed by the city nightlife our first night in Dublin, we thought, why not go to the theatre? And I'm so glad we did. Smock Alley Theatre was first used as a theatre in the 1600s before serving as a church for a couple hundred years--and now it's a theatre again. We saw two young men perform David Mamet's "A Life in the Theatre." It was opening night for this production. We loved how the old walls of the church and original theatre were incorporated as set pieces and how the welcome was given in both English and Gaelic. Audience members are allowed to bring in drinks, which could be a ton of fun!
We loved the play and the theatre and would recommend it to everyone.
We loved the play and the theatre and would recommend it to everyone.
Written 10 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for taking the time to write us such a lovely review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed your visit so much. Hopefully we will see you again in the future.
All the best,
Ali
Written 11 April 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What show will be playing on June 10 and on June 12.
Written 23 May 2019
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