Athenaeum Assembly Rooms (4 The Parade): (now the Citizens Information Centre) Is a detached five-bay two-storey Classical-style building, built 1853. Whilst now in use as offices, the timber panelled double doors have a fanlight. Interior with carved timber staircase. This elegantly composed middle size building was established as the first theatre in Kilkenny. It is possible that William Colles of Abbeyville, Alderman and twice mayor of Kilkenny sold this land to Mr Sheridan, Manager of the Dublin Theatre in 1751. Owenson constructed a theatre here and the first performance was in August 1795. Its patron was John, 17th Earl of Ormonde. After this the Kilkenny Private Theatre was established and later the Athenaeum Assembly Rooms occupied a new building on this site. The site remains of importance in the locality for the historic associations with Thomas Moore (1779-1852).
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 17:07:16 +0000