Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre

Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre (Irish: Amharclann Halla an Bhaile Béal Átha na Sluaighe) is a theatre located in Society Street, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland. Originally built in 1842 as an agricultural hall, it is one of Ireland's finest theatres comprising a 400-seat auditorium. Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre is operated by the local community of Ballinasloe and is run by a voluntary committee.[1]

Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre
General information
LocationSociety Street, Ballinasloe, County Galway
CountryIreland
Coordinates53.330758°N 8.224905°W / 53.330758; -8.224905
Construction started1842
Opened1845
Renovated1987
Design and construction
ArchitectLord Clancarty
Other information
Seating capacity400
Parking250
Website
ballinasloetownhall.com

History

Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre was opened as an agricultural hall to be used by the Farmers' Society in 1842. It was built by Lord Clancarty of the Garbally estate, and was home to the Ballinasloe Union Agricultural Society. It was later developed into a cinema and again refurbished in 1987 into a theatre, following an appeal by the owners. A fundraising event took place and with a grant from the state and the Ballinasloe Town Council, it was renovated and reopened as a theatre by former Irish President Patrick Hillery in April 1988.[2]

As of 2020, the hall is regarded as a theatre, specialising in annual musical productions. The theatre hosts local groups including Ballinasloe Panto's week long Christmas Panto, Ballinasloe Musical Society's week long musical in March every year, first established in 1923, as well as local drama groups, theatre schools and conference groups.[1][3][4]

A country market takes place in the main foyer of the Town Hall Theatre every Friday, selling local produce including baked goods, jams, fresh eggs, jewellery, knitwear, greeting cards and various crafts.[5]

References
  1. "About Ballinasloe Town Hall". ballinasloetownhall.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  2. "Ballinasloe Town Hall". ballinasloetownhall.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. "About - ballinasloems". ballinasloems.wixsite.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. "Ballinasloe Musical Society - Home". ballinasloems.ie. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  5. "Ballinasloe Country Market - Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre". ballinasloetownhalltheatre.wordpress.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.