Dean Crowe Theatre
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Irish English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox Theatre
|name = Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre
|image =
|caption =
|address =
|city = Athlone, County Westmeath
|country = Ireland
|designation =
|coordinates = {{Coord|53.4217|-7.9439|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|architect =
|owner =
|capacity = 466 people{{fact|date=October 2024}}
|type = Theatre and arts space
|opened =
|yearsactive =
|rebuilt =
|closed =
|othernames =
|production =
|currentuse =
|website = {{URL|www.deancrowetheatre.com}}
}}
The Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre is a theatre and arts space in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland.{{Cite web |title=History of the Dean Crowe Theatre |url=https://www.deancrowetheatre.com/history-of-the-dean-crowe-theatre/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=deancrowetheatre.com}}
History
The theatre is located in a building that was previously used a church. Built between 1795 and 1809, it served as St. Peter's parish church until the 1930s. In 1937, when the present day church of SS. Peter and Paul was completed, the building was converted to use as a parochial hall. The altar was placed against the wall in the middle of the building, with seating on three sides, and galleries added overhead.{{Cite web |title=Dean Crowe Theatre |url=https://www.visitwestmeath.ie/see-and-do/arts-culture/dean-crowe-theatre/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Visit Westmeath |language=en}}
In 1959, the hall was renovated by a local builder and was re-named to "The Dean Crowe Memorial Hall"{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.dramafestival.ie/about-us/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=RTE All Ireland Drama Festival |language=en-GB}} - in memory of a former pastor of St. Peter's parish who had died several years previously. The renovated building was used as a theatre venue and centre for the arts.
During the 1990s, the Dean Crowe Theatre was refurbished to "create a modern theatre".{{Cite web |year=2010 |title=Athlone & District Tourist Free Tourist Guide 2010/2011 |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/62239060/AthloneTourist2010 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-04-08 |page=24 |language=en |via=Scribd}} This work, which was undertaken in phases, was completed in 2002. Additional renovations were also undertaken between 2017 and 2019.
Modern activities
The theatre received grant funding in 2017 and 2024.{{Cite web |date=12 February 2017 |title=Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre receives €113,000 funding boost |url=https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/event-s---listings-/234952/dean-crowe-theatre-and-arts-centre-receives-113-000-funding-boost.html |website=LongfordLeader.ie}}{{Cite web |date=8 April 2024 |title=Creative community projects to benefit from €85k funding |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/04/08/creative-community-projects-to-benefit-from-e85k-funding/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}
The RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival takes place in the theatre each May.{{Cite web |date=20 January 2010 |title=New Dean Crowe manager combines his passion with professional experience |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2010/01/20/new-dean-crowe-manager-combines-his-passion-with-professional-experience/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}{{Cite web |year=2025 |title=Home |url=https://www.dramafestival.ie/ |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=RTE All Ireland Drama Festival}} Amateur drama groups from across the island are chosen from a long-list to present a production in the venue, and the best production is awarded the grand prize.{{Cite web |date=7 April 2025 |title=Mayo group back on stage with The Weir ahead of All-Ireland final |url=https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/04/07/mayo-group-back-on-stage-with-the-weir-ahead-of-all-ireland-final/ |website=Connaught Telegraph}}{{Cite web |last=O'Hare |first=Columba |date=1 April 2025 |title=Newpoint Qualify for All Ireland Drama Festival for Third Year in a Row |url=https://www.newry.ie/arts-and-entertainment/newpoint-qualify-for-all-ireland-drama-festival-for-third-year-in-a-row |website=Newry.ie}}{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Siobhan |date=24 March 2025 |title=Four Co. Wexford Drama Groups qualify for All Ireland Open & Confined Finals |url=https://www.southeastradio.ie/four-co-wexford-drama-groups-qualify-for-all-ireland-open-confined-finals/}}{{Cite web |date=22 January 2025 |title=New Festival Director for Athlone-based RTE All Ireland Drama Festival |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/01/22/new-festival-director-for-athlone-based-rte-all-ireland-drama-festival/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}
Athlone's Musical Society, produces a stage musical annually in the theatre.{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Rock and roll musical classic opens in Athlone this Friday |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/02/27/rock-and-roll-musical-classic-opens-in-athlone-this-friday/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}{{Cite web |date=14 September 2023 |title=October date confirmed for Athlone Musical Society production auditions |url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/137680/october-date-confirmed-for-athlone-musical-society-production-auditions |website=Athlone Advertiser}} Athlone Film Club has regular screening in the theatre.{{Cite web |date=14 January 2025 |title=Athlone Film Club to show American Fiction tonight |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2025/01/14/athlone-film-club-to-show-american-fiction-tonight/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}{{Cite web |date=10 December 2024 |title=Athlone Film Club’s next showing rearranged for Thursday night |url=https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2024/12/10/athlone-film-clubs-next-showing-rearranged-for-thursday-night/ |website=Westmeath Examiner}} A schools' "Féile" (traditional musical festival) was staged in March 2024.{{Cite web |date=31 March 2024 |title=Athlone Croí na hÉireann the biggest winner from council event grants |url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/03/31/athlone-croi-na-heireann-the-biggest-winner-from-council-event-grants/ |website=Westmeath Independent}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official}}
{{Athlone}}
{{Theatres in Ireland}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Athlone