The Pearse Centre is a hugely versatile venue with a lot to offer theatre groups, civil society organisations and artists – we are open to all proposals and will try to agree terms that suit all parties, with rental by negotiation.
In 2008, the Ireland Institute added a new hall and theatre to the premises. Together, the historic house and the new hall and theatre are known as the Pearse Centre. With a capacity of about 70 and high quality sound, lighting, and projection systems, the theatre has strongly established itself as a venue for the meetings and events of the Ireland Institute and other groups, as well as for dramatic and other cultural presentations.
Amongst the theatrical presentations have been Buck Jones and the Body Snatchers, which sold out at the 2009 Dublin Theatre Festival, and Wonderland’s production of Brendan Behan’s The Hostage, which was also a huge success in the same year. Buck Jones was performed in all parts of the Pearse Centre, including the first floor rooms in the Georgian house, the new theatre, and the courtyard area for a crypt scene.
Both traditional and electronic music sessions have taken place in the theatre, as well as céilís, musical recitals, drama school showcases, and many film screenings. Both the theatre and the reception rooms in the house are used regularly by groups for rehearsal purposes.
The house has hosted several art exhibitions, with the restored Georgian rooms providing a very attractive hanging space.
Robert Ballagh’s Tír agus Teanga exhibition in 2001 was very popular, as was the sold out one-night-only exhibition of the work of Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al Ali in 2013.
In addition to its own programmes, the Ireland Institute also makes the Pearse Centre available to other groups for committee meetings and public events. The Robert Emmet Association, the Desmond Greaves School, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the People’s Movement, the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Latin America Solidarity Committee, PalFest Ireland, the Progressive Film Club, and many others have used, and continue to use, the Pearse Centre.
What we have to offer: versatile performance and reception spaces
The Pearse Centre is located in a terraced, 2-bay, 3-storey over basement, Georgian house (built c. 1820) with finely-crafted Wyatt windows and a restored Pearse Street facade. The Centre offers a variety of spaces for hire, suitable for performance, rehearsal, reception and many other purposes. The spaces available include the handsome and elegant reception rooms in the Pearse Street house, comprising two large interconnected reception rooms on the first floor and another reception room on the ground floor, as well as the intimate surroundings of the modern theatre building. The venue can be used in many ways:
- public or private lectures, meetings, and seminars
- film screenings/festivals
- as a complete theatre performance space for hire
- rehearsals
- auditions
- theatre and community training and workshops
- exhibitions
- recitals
- poetry and readings
- book and product launches
- céilís, dance, music, and festivals
- corporate conferences and training
The purpose-built Pearse Centre theatre/meeting/screening space is air-conditioned and heated, and equipped with audio visual, sound, and lighting rig. Audience access is via the main Georgian house to the front on Pearse Street, and across a landscaped courtyard. There is a permanent stage, backstage area and control position. The maximum occupancy of the hall is 120 and there is a seated capacity of 70, with some tiered seating at the back. There are two audience toilets at the rear of the hall, which is wheelchair accessible. Dressing facilities with kitchenette, WC, and shower are situated in the basement in the main house.
There is free WiFi.
We hope to develop the arts and cultural use of the Pearse Centre and welcome feedback and suggestions.
Theatre and performance space specs
| Stage Type
Raised platform Stage Height 0.4m Total Stage Area 4.5m wide x 2.5m deep Grid Height Over Stage 2.5m Backstage Area 4.5m x 1.5m Theatre Total Floor Area 10m x 5.75m (semi-sprung, solid wood – no screws or nails) Ceiling Height in Theatre 3m Theatre/Performance Space Flexible: in the round/end on, with a 3-row raked platform (moveable/adjustable) Seating Flexible: 70 seating capacity/120 standing Loading Access
|
Lighting
Sound
Audio Visual
|
Wheelchair Access
Access is through the load-in door from Cards Lane (off Townsend Street) into and through the Theatre, along the decked walk-way and to the reception room on the ground floor of the Pearse Street house. Accessible facilities in one of the two audience toilets at the back of the theatre.
View the Theatre, Reception and Exhibition spaces
Booking and contact details
Hiring the space
The Ireland Institute welcomes queries about use of the different spaces at the Pearse Centre. Contact us to arrange a visit to see the premises or to discuss your particular needs. We are willing to consider all proposals and will try to agree terms that suit all parties.
Touring/Performance/Rehearsal Terms
Rental, by negotiation.
Insurance
Please note that groups may be required to provide their own insurance cover.
Contact Details
Ionad an Phiarsaigh–The Pearse Centre
The Ireland Institute,
27 Pearse Street,
Dublin 2
Phone: ++353 (0)1 670 4606
Email: theirelandinstitue27@gmail.com
Getting here
By Train/DART: Tara Street Station or Pearse Station on Westland Row, Dublin 2
By Bus: 1, 3, 5, 7, 7A, 8, 44B, 44C, 47A, 47B, 48A, 62, 63 and 86
By LUAS: Trinity stop