Siamsa Tíre, Folk theatre and arts center in Tralee, Ireland

Siamsa Tíre is a theatre and arts centre in Tralee Town Park, County Kerry, opened in 1991. It holds a 350-seat theatre, a rehearsal studio, a music room and gallery spaces. Its company stages folk theatre productions and runs education and training programmes.

Siamsa Tíre traces its origins to 1957, when Fr Pat Ahern was sent to Tralee to form a choir at St John's church; a passion play, "Golgotha", followed in 1963. The performing group Siamsóirí na Ríochta toured Irish venues and staged its first summer season in 1968. The company Siamsa Tíre Teo was formed in 1974 with Ahern as artistic director, a post he held until 1998. Its custom-built theatre and arts centre in Tralee Town Park opened in 1991, after years in temporary homes such as the Ashe Memorial Hall and the old Theatre Royal.

The venue tells the story of Irish music and dance traditions through performances that run throughout the year. Visitors see how these old arts remain alive as artists share them on stage with genuine enthusiasm.

The centre sits in Tralee Town Park, with a 350-seat theatre, a rehearsal studio, a music room and gallery spaces under one roof. Its programme mixes folk theatre with contemporary theatre, dance, classical music, comedy and literary events, plus a visual programme in the galleries. Check what is on before travelling, as the stage is not always given to folk productions.

The company Siamsa Tíre Teo was formed in 1974, but the custom-built theatre in Tralee Town Park did not open until 1991. Before that, the group performed in temporary homes such as the Ashe Memorial Hall and the old Theatre Royal in Tralee.