Management at north Wicklow theatre call on councillors for financial support
The Wicklow PeopleA not-for-profit community group has called on district councillors in Greystones to provide them with financial support to help safeguard the future of the local Whale Theatre.
The new group, the Whale Theatre Company, assumed operations of the venue before the summer, after founder Ross McParland handed over the reins following 10 years at the helm, having first bought the site in 2014.
The group quickly gained strong community backing, ultimately submitting a proposal for the theatre’s future with plans underway to register the group as a charity.
The theatre’s artistic patrons include film director Lenny Abrahamson, playwright Bernard Farrell and composer/musician Fiachna Ó Braonáin, who have all pledged their artistic support to the initiative. The group’s mission is to continue to build on the legacy that this unique entertainment amenity and arts hub has already given to the community.
Three members of the company Aideen Walton, Alice O’Donnell and Ann Catherine Nolan attended the November meeting of Greystones Municipal District, where they delivered a presentation on their plans for the venue.
Alongside the regular weekend music, theatre and comedy events, the board members outlined plans that include lunchtime concerts, arts for well-being, programmes for children, older people, film and an exciting youth strand.
Speaking during the meeting Aideen said there is a growing need to establish a wider stake in the community.
“This is a call out to our local councillors and representatives, to businesses and to the people of Greystones, Kilcoole, Delgany, Newcastle and Newtownmountkennedy.
“We have no immediate funding coming from the Arts Council or Wicklow County Council and the lack of a secure funding stream will be a challenge going forward. We are comparing ourselves with the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, which receives annual funding worth €650,000, with nine full time and 13 part time staff.
“We currently have one full time member of staff and one part time member, with 13 casual staff working on a site which has a capacity of 140 patrons. Our weekly fixed costs run to €3,500 a week. The events do not cover fixed overheads as all events we run are effectively not for profit.
“Greystones and district have long needed a vibrant, flexible arts hub. However, this comes at a price. As a not-for-profit company applying for charitable status, the Whale Theatre Company will manage the theatre by balancing community need with prudent income generation.
“The theatre will rely on on-going financial support from the broader community, local authority and local businesses to stay afloat,” she added.
Meanwhile, Alice outlined how offering an accessible creative space for the young people of the district is very much to the fore of their mission.
“Currently the theatre is home to Making Waves Youth Theatre and Music Generation Wicklow’s Band Lab. Having a thriving theatre with regular events will be of great benefit to the town of Greystones by contributing towards footfall for shops and restaurants, making the town more attractive for day or weekend visitors as well as residents.”
Commenting further on their ambitions, Aideen said while there is no shortage of ideas for maximising the uses of the theatre, as a performance space, entertainment venue, educational or workshop space, or even a space for businesses or other community or private organisations, the main challenge will be funding.
Concluding their presentation board members stressed the stage may go dark if they don’t receive the proper support that is needed to keep the venue operating, and the council’s involvement could help strengthen the beginning of a new chapter for the facility.
Cathaoirleach Lourda Scott praised the work of the board in keeping the doors open, highlighting the theatre as a “brilliant asset to the community”.
She said the district would be happy to write a letter of support for their all their future fund applications and proposed using the chair as a link person for contact with other relevant members within the district and full council. Voicing the views of all elected members present at the meeting, Cllr Tom Fortune said they are fully behind the board in their efforts, despite the challenge for the district to find the funding.
“The challenge is that the council budget of €183 million for 2026 is already largely accounted for.
“You’re saying €160,000 or so from our discretionary funding pot would cover your costs for the next year. The difficulty is, we don’t have the capacity to write a cheque for that amount here and now, which I know is not what you wanted to hear. Having said that, it doesn’t mean we’re going to completely ignore the proposal.
“We will continue to work with you in whatever capacity works best for you,” he added.
The venue has hosted more than 1,200 events and welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since its opening in 2017.