Smock Alley Theatre

Smock Alley's doors opened in 1662. The theatre's foundations lie in the oldest part of the city, next to the founding site of Dublin. By the time the theatre was built it was part of the Kingdom of England and Ireland were under the rule of King Charles II. The city was one of the most important in the Kingdom, so much so, that it was given its own Theatre Royal. Smock Alley Theatre Royal was the first and only Theatre Royal ever to be built outside the great walls of London.