Dean Crowe Theatre

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Coordinates: 53°25′18″N 7°56′38″W / 53.4217°N 7.9439°W / 53.4217; -7.9439
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Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre
Map
AddressAthlone, County Westmeath
Ireland
Coordinates53°25′18″N 7°56′38″W / 53.4217°N 7.9439°W / 53.4217; -7.9439
TypeTheatre and arts space
Capacity466 people[citation needed]
Website
www.deancrowetheatre.com

The Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre is a theatre and arts space in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland.[1]

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.[2]

In 1959, the hall was renovated by a local builder and was re-named to "The Dean Crowe Memorial Hall"[3] - in memory of a former pastor of St. Peter's parish who had died several years previously.[1] 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".[4] This work, which was undertaken in phases, was completed in 2002.[1][4] Additional renovations were also undertaken between 2017 and 2019.[1]

Modern activities

The theatre received grant funding in 2017 and 2024.[5][6]

The

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.[9][10][11][12]

Athlone's Musical Society, produces a stage musical annually in the theatre.[13][14] Athlone Film Club has regular screening in the theatre.[15][16] A schools' "Féile" (traditional musical festival) was staged in March 2024.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "History of the Dean Crowe Theatre". deancrowetheatre.com. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Dean Crowe Theatre". Visit Westmeath. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  3. ^ "About Us". RTE All Ireland Drama Festival. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Athlone & District Tourist Free Tourist Guide 2010/2011". 2010. p. 24. Retrieved 8 April 2025 – via Scribd.
  5. LongfordLeader.ie
    . 12 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Creative community projects to benefit from €85k funding". Westmeath Independent. 8 April 2024.
  7. ^ "New Dean Crowe manager combines his passion with professional experience". Westmeath Independent. 20 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Home". RTE All Ireland Drama Festival. 2025. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  9. ^ "Mayo group back on stage with The Weir ahead of All-Ireland final". Connaught Telegraph. 7 April 2025.
  10. ^ O'Hare, Columba (1 April 2025). "Newpoint Qualify for All Ireland Drama Festival for Third Year in a Row". Newry.ie.
  11. ^ Murphy, Siobhan (24 March 2025). "Four Co. Wexford Drama Groups qualify for All Ireland Open & Confined Finals".
  12. ^ "New Festival Director for Athlone-based RTE All Ireland Drama Festival". Westmeath Independent. 22 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Rock and roll musical classic opens in Athlone this Friday". Westmeath Independent. 27 February 2025.
  14. Athlone Advertiser
    . 14 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Athlone Film Club to show American Fiction tonight". Westmeath Independent. 14 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Athlone Film Club's next showing rearranged for Thursday night". Westmeath Examiner. 10 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Athlone Croí na hÉireann the biggest winner from council event grants". Westmeath Independent. 31 March 2024.
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