Dean Crowe Theatre venue

Dean Crowe Theatre

Athlone, Westmeath

Address

Chapel Street, Athlone, Athlone N37 VF29

The Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre is a historic and atmospheric venue that started its life in 1795 as St. Peter’s Parish Church. After the parish moved to a new cathedral in 1937, the building was converted into a parochial hall and later renamed in memory of a beloved local pastor, Dean John Crowe. Following major refurbishments in 2002 and 2019, it is now a modern 466-seat theatre (338 in the Stalls and 128 in the Balcony). It is famous for being the home of the RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival every May and hosts a diverse year-round programme of drama, musical theatre, opera, and film. The auditorium is noted for its excellent sightlines and unique history as a former ecclesiastical space.

Accessibility

The Dean Crowe Theatre is a wheelchair-accessible venue with the following facilities: Physical Access: The building is fully accessible, featuring a step-free ground floor and a wheelchair-accessible toilet located on the ground floor. Seating: There is a range of dedicated wheelchair-accessible seating options available in the auditorium. These spaces can only be booked through the Box Office (+353 90 6492129) to ensure availability and proper placement. Historical Note: Because the building is a historic structure, the venue cannot accommodate large mobility scooters inside the auditorium; standard wheelchairs are the preferred mode of mobility within the space. Assistance: Front-of-house staff are available at all times to assist patrons with specific access requirements.

Car Parking

The Dean Crowe Theatre is located in the "Left Bank" area of Athlone. While it does not have a large private car park, there are several convenient options: Accessible Parking: There are three designated public accessible car parking spaces located directly outside the front door of the theatre. Patrons are encouraged to contact the Box Office in advance if they require one of these spaces. Public Car Parks: Three major public car parks are located within a 5-minute walk of the venue: Connaught Street Car Park Pearse Court Car Park O'Connell Street Car Park Set Down: Patrons can be dropped off directly at the front door before the driver moves to one of the nearby car parks.

Café & Bar

Theatre Bar: The venue features an on-site bar and an art gallery space. Patrons can enjoy a pre-show drink, tea, or coffee. Interval Drinks: To avoid queues, the theatre allows and encourages patrons to pre-order their interval drinks at the bar before the performance begins. Nearby Dining: The theatre is situated in the Left Bank Quarter, Athlone's premier district for food and drink. Popular nearby restaurants include the Left Bank Bistro, The Fatted Calf, and Thyme Restaurant, all within a few minutes' walk.

1 upcoming production

Ballet to Broadway

Shannon Dance Academy

28 – 29 Mar 2026

School
Sat 28 Mar 2026 18:00 Tickets: €18/€15 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) €60 + €2 booking fee on each ticket Buy tickets
Sun 29 Mar 2026 15:00 Tickets: €18/€15 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) €60 + €2 booking fee on each ticket Buy tickets