Pearse Centre

The Pearse Centre is a hugely versatile venue with a lot to offer theatre groups, civil society organisations and artists – we are open to  all proposals and will try to agree terms that suit all parties, with rental by negotiation.

In 2008, the Ireland Institute added a new hall and theatre to the premises. Together, the historic house and the new hall and theatre are known as the Pearse Centre. With a capacity of about 70 and high quality sound, lighting, and projection systems, the theatre has strongly established itself as a venue for the meetings and events of the Ireland Institute and other groups, as well as for dramatic and other cultural presentations.

Amongst the theatrical presentations have been Buck Jones and the Body Snatchers, which sold out at the 2009 Dublin Theatre Festival, and Wonderland’s production of Brendan Behan’s The Hostage, which was also a huge success in the same year. Buck Jones was performed in all parts of the Pearse Centre, including the first floor rooms in the Georgian house, the new theatre, and the courtyard area for a crypt scene.

Both traditional and electronic music sessions have taken place in the theatre, as well as céilís, musical recitals, drama school showcases, and many film screenings. Both the theatre and the reception rooms in the house are used regularly by groups for rehearsal purposes.

The house has hosted several art exhibitions, with the restored Georgian rooms providing a very attractive hanging space.

Robert Ballagh’s Tír agus Teanga exhibition in 2001 was very popular, as was the sold out one-night-only exhibition of the work of Palestinian cartoonist Naji Al Ali in 2013.

In addition to its own programmes, the Ireland Institute also makes the Pearse Centre available to other groups for committee meetings and public events. The Robert Emmet Association, the Desmond Greaves School, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the People’s Movement, the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Latin America Solidarity Committee, PalFest Ireland, the Progressive Film Club, and many others have used, and continue to use, the Pearse Centre.