Before and after photos of Galway’s newly restored theatre with 180-year-old colourful past
The historic, 180-year-old Town Hall Theatre in Ballinasloe is ready to take on its first musical in the refurbished auditorium after seeing upgrades to the seats and stage curtain.
Upgrading the 400 worn in, now faded, purple seats had always been a resounding question from the community, Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre Committee Chairperson, Máire Hughes told the Irish Independent.
However, there were “more pressing issues to deal with” when a volunteer committee came to steward the space in 2009.
“Reroofing to prevent constant leaks, upgrading restroom facilities and the heating system and so on, and, of course, how to afford all the work and maintenance required by an old building such as this.”
“This project is something many on the committee believed would be a task for the next generation of stewards to achieve,” Ms Hughes added.
The theatre was originally opened in the mid-1800s by Lord Cloncarty of the Garbally Estate and used as an agricultural hall for the Farmer’s Society.
It became the home of two schools, a mortuary, a dentist, and a dancehall but most notably turned into a cinema in the 1920s. Sixty years later it was converted into a theatre.
Former president of Ireland Patrick Hillery formally re-opened it in 1988 – two years before the end of his term.
Since 2009 a variety of upgrades have been carried out on the roof, as well as the installation of new windows and doors, redesign to the foyer and investments into the sound and lighting systems.
“One of the final big jobs on the committee's radar were the seats and stage curtain, both of which predate the 1980’s renovation. The building was home to the Plaza Cinema from the 1920/30’s to 1975, and the framework of the seats date back to those days,” a spokesperson from the Town Hall told the Irish Independent.
“The old curtain could have been installed around 1975 when the Plaza Cinema became the Aisling Cinema, but it could potentially be even older than that.”
“A lifetime member of Ballinasloe Musical Society has memories of peeking out at the audience through a hole in it, and her last on-stage performance with the group was in 1981 so it is at least that old.”
Upholstery Co in Roscommon town took on the project for both the curtain and the seats.
A luxurious, dramatic red draping now replaces the old cobalt blue one in the darkly painted auditorium. Parts of the original curtain, with its historical tale, will be on display in the building to honour what came before the refurbishments.
The theatre was given over €47,000 as part of the Community Centre Investment Fund in 2024 for the works which included stonework repairs as well.
When the funding was announced, Galway County Councillor for Ballinasloe Alan Harney said it was a “massive milestone for any community space.”
Showing at the end of March, Ballinasloe Musical Society (BMS) will be the first company to perform in the new and improved area. They will be showcasing Shrek: The Musical.
BMS was created in 1923, and have performed nearly all productions, except four, on the Town Hall Theatre stage.
The show will take place from March 25 through March 28 and tickets can be purchased at the Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre website.
“We are so thrilled with how far the theatre has come,” Ms Hughes said. “It has always been a beautiful building for those who know and love it, and the refurbishment of the seats and the addition of the fabulous matching stage curtain only serve to enhance its beauty and help make it clear for all to see.”
The theatre is eager to expand the frequency and variety of programming as it relishes in its new look. To enquire about booking the venue, email ballinasloetownhalltheatre@gmail.com.