Dunamaise Arts Centre (Irish: Amharclann Dhún Másc) is an arts and cultural centre located in Portlaoise, Ireland, opened in 1999.[1]

Dunamaise Arts Centre
Amharclann Dhún Másc
Dunamaise Arts Centre is located in Ireland
Dunamaise Arts Centre
Dunamaise Arts Centre
Location within Ireland
Former namesMaryborough Gaol
AddressChurch Street
LocationPortlaoise, County Laois, Republic of Ireland
Coordinates53°02′04″N 7°18′00″W / 53.0345113100419°N 7.299980844412765°W / 53.0345113100419; -7.299980844412765
Public transitBus: Laois Shopping Centre stop (bus route 735)
Rail: Portlaoise railway station
ParkingCity Park @ Church Street
OwnerThe Laois Arts Theatre CLG, t/a Dunamaise Arts Centre
Capacity238
Construction
OpenedMay 1999 (1999-05)
ArchitectRichard Harman
Website
dunamaise.ie

History

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Maryborough Gaol was built c. 1789 in a Neoclassical style. It is a seven-bay, two-storey building over a concealed basement with a three-bay central breakfront, built of limestone and Portland stone.[2]

It was renovated in the 1990s, and opened in 1999 as Dunamaise Arts Centre, named for the nearby Rock of Dunamase, a medieval fortress.[3]

Facilities

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The theatre has 238 seats; it has a proscenium arch and measures 12.8 m (42 ft) wide, 7.9 m (26 ft) deep and 7 m (23 ft) high.[4] There is also an exhibition gallery, restaurant and workshop spaces.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Fake news in the Dunamaise Arts Centre". Laois Nationalist. 13 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Dunamaise Arts Centre, Church Street, MARYBOROUGH, Portlaoise, LAOIS". Buildings of Ireland. 29 August 2008.
  3. ^ "Box Office and Sales Manager, Dunamaise Arts Centre". The Journal of Music.
  4. ^ "Dunamaise Arts Centre - Venues - Irish Theatre". www.irishtheatre.ie.
  5. ^ "Dunamaise Art Centre | Things to Do Laois | Abbeyleix Manor". Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.