The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s national theatre. It was founded by W.B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. Since it first opened its doors in 1904, the theater has played a vital and often controversial role in the literary, social, and cultural life of Ireland.
In 1905, the Abbey Theatre first toured internationally and continues to be an ambassador for Irish arts and culture worldwide.
The Abbey Theatre produces an annual program of diverse, engaging, innovative Irish and international theater, and invests in and promotes new Irish writers and artists.
Over the years, the Abbey Theatre has nurtured and premiered the work of major playwrights such as J.M. Synge and Sean O’Casey as well as contemporary classics from Sebastian Barry, Marina Carr, Bernard Farrell, Brian Friel, Thomas Kilroy, Frank McGuinness, Tom MacIntyre, Tom Murphy, Mark O’Rowe, and Billy Roche.
The Abbey Theatre also supports a new generation of Irish writers including Richard Dormer, Gary Duggan, Shaun Dunne, Stacey Gregg, Nancy Harris, David Ireland, Jimmy McAleavey, Owen McCafferty Phillip McMahon, Elaine Murphy, Sean P. Summers, Michael West, and Carmel Winters.
