Remember that time the Tallaght Theatre Group nearly didn’t make it? This very spot you’re standing on now wasn’t always home to the vibrant performances you’ve perhaps heard of. The Tallaght Theatre has a history. A story that starts long before this building stood proudly on Greenhills Road.
For over 40 years the Tallaght Theatre Group worked tirelessly. They brought laughter and drama to the community. They performed in various locations including St Mary’s School grounds. Think Death of a Salesman. Think Juno and the Paycock. These plays and many more filled those early years. The energy the passion the dedication. It was all pouring from their hearts onto the makeshift stages.
Then came 1997. A pivotal year. The group moved into their new theatre behind the Cuckoo’s Nest pub. It was a dream realised. A space of their own. A proper theatre. Imagine the excitement. The possibilities. This new home welcomed some impressive guests too. Fishamble Theatre Company premiered Mark O’Rowe’s From Both Hips here. Black Box Theatre Company even previewed Are You Listenin’ To Me Gaybo? before its festival run.
But the story doesn’t end there. In 2018 the original Tallaght Theatre faced demolition. It made way for the Temple Woods residential development. The group was devastated. Their beloved theatre. Gone. But they didn’t give up. They rallied. They fought. And they rebuilt.
This Tallaght Theatre you see before you is testament to their spirit. A new theatre built where the old carpark stood. This new building boasts 130 seats and a stage 33 feet wide and 20 feet deep. It has state-of-the-art lighting. Two dressing rooms even have showers. This theatre is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a symbol of resilience. A beacon of community spirit.
The Tallaght Theatre Group reopened in March 2023. Their first production in six years? Brian Friel’s Philadelphia Here I Come. A perfect comeback. They are now back to doing what they do best: performing. Bringing life and joy to the Tallaght community. So take a moment to admire this building. It represents something far greater than just a theatre. It represents passion. Dedication and the unwavering spirit of a community.