An Grianán Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids An Grianán Theatre |
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The front view of An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny, County Donegal
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| General information | |
| Type | Theatre |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Location | Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Completed | 1999 |
| Opened | October 1999 |
An Grianán Theatre (which means Amharclann an Ghrianáin in Irish) is the biggest theatre in County Donegal, Ireland. It's located in Letterkenny and is a super popular spot for entertainment.
This theatre can seat 383 people. It offers all sorts of shows, like exciting plays, funny comedy acts, live music, and fun family shows. They also have workshops and classes where you can learn new skills!
An Grianán Theatre is a key place for many festivals each year. It's a main partner for the Earagail Arts Festival in July. It also helps with the Irish Aerial Dance Fest in June and the Letterkenny Trad Week in January. The theatre even hosted the big traditional music festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, twice!
The theatre's name comes from Grianán of Aileach, an ancient stone fort nearby. This fort is thought to be super old, dating back to about 1700 BC!
Contents
A Look Back: The Theatre's Story
How An Grianán Theatre Began
The idea for An Grianán Theatre started in 1995. A politician named Seán Maloney suggested to the Minister for the Arts, Michael D. Higgins, that he should see a special spot in Letterkenny. Mr. Higgins visited the place, called the Rectory Field, and loved it! He said it was the best place he had ever seen for a theatre.
Because he liked it so much, he approved a grant of £1.5 million in February 1996. This money helped make An Grianán Theatre a reality. A group called the North West Theatre Project then started a big fundraising effort in March 1997 to gather more money.
Opening Its Doors
An Grianán Theatre first opened its doors to the public on Monday, October 4, 1999. The official opening party happened a bit later, on November 12, 1999. The very first show performed on its stage was called Magic of the Musicals.
Special Events and Awards
The theatre has hosted many important events. It welcomed Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, a huge traditional Irish music festival, in the summers of 2005 and 2006. In 2007, it also hosted the Pan Celtic Festival, which celebrates Celtic culture.
An Grianán Theatre has won some cool awards too! In 2007, a design studio that worked on the theatre's look won a European Design Award. In 2013, it was named the IMRO Ulster Music Venue of The Year. This award recognized it as the best music venue in the Ulster region. The theatre also won an award in 2015 for being very easy for people with disabilities to access.
What You Can See: Performances at An Grianán
An Grianán Theatre brings in many famous musicians, actors, and comedians. It's a great place to catch a show!
Music Performances
Many well-known musicians have played at An Grianán. The band The Frames often performs there. The Letterkenny Trad Week, which happens every January, features amazing traditional Irish artists. For example, in January 2015, artists like Maura O’Connell, Karan Casey, Paddy Glackin, and John Doyle performed. Scottish singer Isla Grant also returned to Ireland for a tour in February 2015, playing at An Grianán. Back in 2005, Sharon Shannon, a famous Irish musician, played there too.
In 2000, An Grianán was the first place in the world to show a new Irish musical called Caisleain Oir. This musical is based on an Irish novel but is performed in English. It was so popular that it came back in 2001, 2005, and again in 2013.
Other Musicians Who Have Played Here
- Albert Niland (October 13, 2006)
- Sharon Shannon (May 4, 2005)
- Jack L (November 4, 2006)
Comedy Shows
If you love to laugh, An Grianán is the place to be! Many top comedians have performed their stand-up acts here. Ardal O’Hanlon, famous for playing Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted, brought his show in May 2012. Neil Delamare also performed his show The Fresh Prince of Delamare.
Comedians Who Have Performed
- Des Bishop
- Tommy Tiernan
- Ardal O'Hanlon
- Dara Ó Briain
- Dylan Moran
- Ed Byrne
- Jimmy Carr
- Colin Murphy
- Neil Delamere
- Andrew Maxwell
- Brendan Grace
- Pat Shortt
- Jon Kenny
- Phil Kay
- Jason Byrne
- David O'Doherty
Drama and Dance Performances
An Grianán Theatre also hosts amazing drama and dance shows. Ireland's well-known dance company, Fabulous Beast, brought their show Rian UnPlugged in September 2014. The Irish Aerial Dance Fest, which happens every June, offers workshops and performances for three weeks.
Notable Drama and Dance Shows in 2006
- Knots by CoisCeim Dance Theatre (February 21, 2006)
- Like Watching Paint Dry by Ursula Mawson-Raffalt and Anthony J Faulder-Mawson (September 21–23, 2006)
- I Miss Communism by Inez Wurth and Mark Soper (September 29, 2006)
- Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (Keegan Theatre Co) (October 10–11, 2006)
- 12 Angry Men by Lifford Players (March 14–15, 2006)
- Ay Carmela by José Sanchis Sinisterra (March 21–22, 2006)
Inside the Theatre: Facilities
An Grianán Theatre has great facilities for both visitors and performers.
Public Facilities
The theatre is a good place for events and meetings, with advanced technical and catering services. They also have projection equipment available.
The eatery café is open all day. On show nights, it turns into a bar. You can grab a tea, coffee, or something more to eat. There's also a free car park behind the theatre.
The theatre is very welcoming for people with disabilities. It has special seating in the main hall, a lift, and specially designed restrooms. There's also a hearing system for those who need it.
Private Facilities for Performers
Backstage, there are special areas for visiting performers. This includes three dressing rooms, private bathrooms, and a green room. The green room even has a framed T-shirt signed by Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard from The Frames, who called it ‘the best room in Ireland’!
There's also a costume department with props and costumes from past shows. You can find workshop areas backstage and downstairs from the main entrance.
Art and Exhibitions
The theatre's foyers and public galleries are used as a space to show art exhibitions.
Recent Exhibitions
Some recent art shows have included:
- “Ephemera an exhibition by Robert Clarke” (September 2014)
- “Fairytale Fantasies with Samantha Robinson” (October 2014)
- “serene by Katriona Dempsey and Valerie Würmli” (February/March 2015)
In March 2015, an exhibition called Names Will Never Hurt Me opened. It was put together by members of the LOFT LK. This exhibition was part of the LOFT's Mental Health Week and featured images about mental health.
Learning and Workshops
Letterkenny Youth Theatre (LYT)
The Letterkenny Youth Theatre (LYT) works with An Grianán Theatre. They usually meet on Wednesdays. LYT has put on many small shows in Letterkenny.
Past LYT Shows
- Alien Nation (2008)
- La Vide de Picasso (2009)
- The Taming of the Shrew (2010)
In June 2009, LYT performed a two-night show called La Vide de Picasso. They also performed The Taming of the Shrew in 2010. In August 2010, LYT entertained crowds at a festival at the Glebe Gallery by performing different monologues.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro An Grianán para niños
