Eblana Theatre

Eblana Theatre was a performance space located beneath Busaras, Dublin's main bus station, with seating for about 225 people. The basement location created an unconventional setup without standard stage facilities like wings for theatrical productions.

The theatre opened in 1959 during Dublin's inaugural Theatre Festival and operated for about 36 years before closing in 1995. It remained preserved in its original state after this closure.

The venue served as a launching point for Irish playwrights to showcase their work. Many now-celebrated authors had their plays premiered here under the direction of Phyllis Ryan.

The space is situated deep beneath Dublin's main bus station, so finding it requires good navigation and asking for directions. Access conditions may vary, so check ahead before visiting.

The space originally functioned as a newsreel cinema before being transformed into a theatre. This unusual conversion shaped how productions had to be staged within the space's original layout.

Location: Dublin

Inception: September 17, 1959

Architects: Michael Scott

Official opening: September 17, 1959

GPS coordinates: 53.34970,-6.25222

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01