The Buildings
Cultural Buildings
Everyman Palace Theatre
Contact Details
| Address | 15 MacCurtain Street, Cork. |
| Telephone | 021 4501673 |
| Opening Hours | Guided tour at 12 noon. Booking essential on 021 4501673 (after August 1st) |
The Everyman Palace Theatre was designed by Mr. H. Brunton and built in c 1840 by Mr. John O'Connell.
Located on the street front of MacCurtain St this terraced two-bay three-storey was originally built as a house, which was part of a group with the adjoining houses to the east and west.
In 1897 Dan Lowrey opened the building as a luxurious new theatre called The Cork Palace of Varieties. Its origins as a beautiful Victorian theatre is reflected in the interior of the building with its impressive ornate proscenium arch and boxes and a balcony and ceiling composed of decorative plasterwork, which has been restored to its former glory.
During the heyday of music hall theatre 1897 – 1912 no expense was spared in securing the best talent available at the time. Artists such as Charlie Chaplin, George Formby and Laurel and Hardy to name a few have performed during this time.
With the arrival of the “talkies” the Palace became a cinema in 1930 and remained so until 1988.
The venue reopened as a Theatre in 1990 when it was purchased by the Everyman Theatre Company. The names of the venue and the theatre company were combined to form the Everyman Palace Theatre. The Everyman Palace Theatre is currently celebrating its twentieth anniversary as one of the busiest presenting and producing theatres in Ireland with an eclectic programme of world class theatre, dance, comedy, music, family entertainment and variety shows.
The Everyman Palace Theatre specialises in drama and receives regular visits from companies such as Druid, Blue Raincoat, Guna Nua, Second Age and London Classic Theatre.
The Everyman Palace Theatre will host a free tour at noon on Heritage Open Day. To make a booking please phone 021-4501673 after August 1st.
