Abbey Theatre NOT to move to GPO

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The government has today announced that, following consideration of the matter, it has been decided not to proceed with the re-location of the Abbey Theatre to the GPO complex. This decision has been taken after a thorough examination of the Feasibility Study prepared by his Department and the Office of Public Works on the matter. The Feasibility Study is being published today on the website of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Minister Deenihan said: “This decision was taken on the basis of the very significant potential costs involved, as well as on grounds of technical complexity, historical appropriateness, planning, conservation and heritage issues. Other significant factors in the decision related to the tenure and relocation of existing tenants of the GPO complex, including An Post”.

The Minister went on to say: “I will endeavour to ensure that the Abbey Theatre’s accommodation in its current location is maintained to a suitable standard. The intervention made a number of years ago in the Abbey auditorium was an excellent one and ongoing investment there has addressed front-of-house, box-office, staging and mechanical issues.”