Byrne Highlights Theatre

Last week The Irish Times reported that broadcaster Gay Byrne and actor Gabriel Byrne were in Dublin to mark their appointment as honorary directors of the new Grand Canal Square Theatre in Dublin.

Construction of the theatre - designed by award-winning architect Daniel Libeskind - is expected to finish by St. Patrick's Day next year. It will seat 2,100, making it the largest theatre in Dublin.

Gabriel Byrne, who was recently nominated for an Emmy for his role as a therapist in In Treatment , highlighted the importance of the new theatre for Dublin.

"Every village, every city, needs a theatre. It’s not just a building; it’s about being exposed to new ideas. Theatre changes the way we view society and connects us to global ideas. In the past, we’ve suffered from being closed off.

"The theatre is seriously important for who we are. In the past, the most important building in a village was a church," the actor added. "A theatre can be as powerful as a church, but without being as controlling."