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This narrow street in Dublin used to be known as Smoke Alley but had been called Smock Alley for a long time before the Master of the Revels, John Ogilby, decided to build a new Theatre in 1662. His previous Theatre in nearby Werburgh Street had been opened in 1637 but was closed by the Puritans in 1641.

This new venture proved to be very successful and in due course the Theatre was awarded a Royal Patent and so became the first Theatre Royal in Dublin. There was a close affinity between the Smock Alley Theatre and the Theatre Royals in Drury Lane and Covent Garden in London. Many of the London artists appeared in Smock Alley and vice-versa.

The Theatre may not have been very well built because on St Stephen's Day in 1671 the gallery collapsed and 3 people were killed and many others injured. On another occasion in 1701 during disturbances in the Theatre a number of people were killed. In 1735 the Theatre was extensively rebuilt and refurbished and continued in business.

The General Evening Post of the 24th of May 1735 reported on the laying of the Foundation Stone for a new Theatre to be built on the site of the old in which they said: 'Yesterday was begun the building of the Theatre-Royal in Smock-Alley: The Foundation Stone being laid in presence of the Gentlemen of Distinction Several Pieces of Gold were given to the Workmen, to drink their Majesties Healths, and Success to the Undertaking. This House is erected pursuant to his Majesty's Royal Patent, and will be as complete a Theatre as any in, Europe. It is built on the Ground where the Old, Theatre Royal lately stood, which is the most convenient Situation for the Entertainment of the Town. The General Evening Post, 24th of May 1735 - Courtesy BF.

Shortly afterwards there was competition from a new Theatre, opened in October 1741, built just around the corner in Fishamble Street called Mr Neal's Musick Hall.

Further competition came in 1758 when another Theatre was opened not far away in Crow Street. This was owned by an actor named Spranger Barry and his partners and they succeeded in obtaining a Royal Patent that was taken away from the Smock Alley Theatre. This was a serious blow to the Smock Alley owners and eventually the Theatre closed in 1787 and was used for many years as a grain store because of its proximity to the Custom House on the banks of the River Liffey.

In 1815 a decision was taken to amalgamate two Catholic parishes so a new church, to be named St Michael & John, was required. The Church authorities bought the old Theatre building and for financial reasons retained as much of the old building as possible while constructing a new church. The pit became the crypt of the church and much of the walls survived with old openings being blocked up and new openings being inserted. The Smock Alley Theatre was renowned for the quality of the acoustics and fortunately this important characteristic was retained in the new church building.

Right - St Michael & John's Church, Smock Alley, Dublin, in a photograph taken in March 2009 - Courtesy Des Kerins

In a way you could say that the old Theatre lives on today, as there is a remarkable similarity between the Theatre and the facade of the church which closed about 1990.

Currently, in 2009, there is a Studio Theatre housed in part of the building with 110 seats and planning permission has been granted for the construction of a new Theatre within the building at a cost of about €7.2 million. This will have 220 seats as well as the existing Studio and also 7 rehearsal studios and dressing rooms. The old church will in the fullness of time become a modern Theatre. The Smock Alley name will of course be retained.

In August 2009 archaeologists doing preliminary excavations on the site, before work began on building the new Theatre complex itself, discovered artifacts and part of the original Smock Alley Theatre had survived. Information on the finds can be found here and here.

Above text and images Courtesy Des Kerins 2009.

This Theatre should not be confused with the three Theatre Royals in Hawkins Stret, Dublin.