Support Dublin’s oldest newest theatre
Igniting passions for the next 350 years.
350 years ago if you stood outside Smock Alley Theatre you would be standing in the centre of the old city and right at its beating heart. The Theatre Royal at Smock Alley was where Dubliners flocked for their cultural fix. 300 people would attend each night. People from across all societal classes and creeds attended to be enthralled, entertained, and enlightened by actors, acrobats, dancers, musicians and trapeze artists. And it wasn’t just a cultural fix. This was where people got the news and learned of their history. This was the place where public opinion on social and political issues was molded and influenced. Where tough conversations about things like rights and power could be sparked in the minds of audiences through the work presented. Where the hopes, needs and deeds of the people of the time were played out. Where the progression of society was kindled.
Now several centuries later the theatre has been carefully and lovingly restored. It is once again at the heart of cultural life in Dublin. A bustling hub of theatre, song, dance, art, and creativity, with the vision to continue to ignite passions for the next 350 years.
Within the walls of the new Smock Alley you will find two theatres, a unique Banquet Hall, space for creativity and programmes for artist development. The theatre is now a vital resource within the ecology of Irish theatre, supporting artists, companies and festivals.
Our activities can be seen in three distinctive ways:
• Smock Perform
A Theatre first and foremost. A stage that is the creative centre of the building. A stage that has a unique cultural heritage. We aim to present the best work from the city’s most innovative artists, companies and festivals.
• Smock Create
Smock Alley Theatre is a place of enablement, where work is created, artists are supported, and ideas are realised. High-quality theatrical productions are presented alongside a range of artistic activity on the smaller stage and workrooms surrounding the Main Stage. We are creating a self-sustaining loop where work on the stage inspires development, rehearsal, creativity, connections, and support that foster the talent and skills that will feed back onto the stage.
• Smock Entertain
Smock Alley is a completely unique event space for a range of activities from press launches to wedding ceremonies. This thread of work is fundamental to our social enterprise model and helps us build a sustainable and resilient organisation.
Ways to support
Make a Direct Donation –
Click here to make a donation.
Buy a Brick –
Donations of €500 or more
The Smock Alley Theatre walls still contain bricks from the original 1662 building, over 350 years old. We have a limited number of these bricks on display in the foyer. Your legacy and name will be on the wall of Smock Alley forever.. These are rare fragments of one of the oldest theatres in Europe. Your valuable contribution will help preserve an invaluable piece of our heritage and ensure it continues on firm foundations. Email info(at)smockalley.com to get the brick rolling.
Major Giving –
for Donations of €1000 or more
When Smock Alley re-opened its doors in 2012 it could only do so because of an enormous fundraising effort, spearheaded by Patrick Sutton. Consider joining this extraordinary circle of patrons where your significant donation will underpin our artistic programme, investing in important, high-quality work.
Corporate Partnership
We are always in pursuit of excellence and innovation at Smock Alley Theatre, on our stages and through our partnerships. Our exciting productions provide the perfect opportunity for companies looking to develop a rewarding and multi-faceted cultural partnership tailored to your specific business needs. Whether you are looking for an unprecedented client experience, engaging ways to fulfil business ESG / CSR objectives, or a dynamic programme of brand exposure and recognition, a partnership with Smock Alley can deliver just that.
Corporate partners will be added to our mailing list, and will have the opportunity to attend Smock Alley events as part of team building activities or nights out. Group bookings under corporate partnerships will receive a group discount. Corporate partners will also be thanked on our website and at the bottom of our newsletters, with their logos appearing to an audience of over 19,000 people.
Sponsorship
There is an option of supporting our productions directly by becoming a Key Sponsor. This would involve above the line branding and strong association with high quality artistic output. For example Our Scene & Heard festival involves over 400 artists, 110 productions and attracts an audience of over 9000 people.
Venue Rental
One of the simplest ways you can support Smock is by renting one of our unique spaces for your event. Be it a private family party or an opportunity to celebrate your business, our event team are on hand to tailor the perfect package for you. Check out our spaces.