Earlier this month we had the pleasure of hosting fifteen high school students from Livorno in Italy. As part of their course, we asked the students to find a \’hidden gem\’ of Dublin – a place they might like to tell other people about. The results were amazing and we want to show you what they did. This week our guest blogger is Francesca Caporali who wrote about a favourite spot of local Dubliners.
by Francesca Caporali
Welcome to Olympia Theatre!
The Olympia is a beautifully preserved theatre in the heart of Dublin City, and one of Dublin\’s most loved music venues. It hosts a wide range of events every year including live music, comedy & theatre shows.
The address of The Olympia Theatre is 72 Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland. It’s located in the centre of Dublin 2, on the edge of Temple Bar.
The building first opened as “Dan Lowrey’s Star of Erin Music Hall”, designed by John J. Callaghan, a well-known architect at the time, for Dan Lowrey, who he decided to make it his personal ambition to bring this popular form of entertainment to Dublin. He opened the doors for the first time in 1879, on Monday 22nd December.
The venue is unique in that the staff can host both fully seated theatre shows, and can remove the seating from the Stalls area for standing shows.
Its dressing rooms and backstage area has been recently renovated, and its expert production staff is on hand to ensure that the people’s event runs smoothly.
The theatre has three different levels. At the very top there’s the Upper Circle, the mid level is the Circle, and the ground floor area is called the Stalls.
The Upper Circle is the highest level in the theatre, the seats there are unreserved so it is first come first served to have a choice of seats.
For most shows, the first 100 or so people in through the doors for standing shows are given VIP wristbands to enter the front of stage pit area.
The Olympia Theatre employs more than 80 staff members to keep the Old Lady of Dame Street running. From housekeeping to stage staff, management to bar staff, ushers to maintenance staff, there are plenty of hardworking folks that ensure the theatre is ready to welcome patrons & artists alike.
I hope the Olympia Theatre will satisfy people’s curiosity and…let the show begin!