Abbey Theatre

Lobbying Organisation Abbey Theatre

Date published 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Arts

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Communications between representatives of the Abbey Theatre and Government

Intended results To update Government officials on plans for the Abbey Theatre. To promote awareness of the need for continued support of the Abbey Theatre Redevelopment Project. To explore and secure opportunities for promotion of the National Theatre of Ireland.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity John Cronin (Chair), Owen Travers (Board Director), Mark O'Brien (Executive Director), and senior staff members of the Abbey Theatre

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

A tour of the Abbey Theatre and discussion on the progress of the redevelopment project on 22 October following issue of an invitation with: - Patrick O'Donovan, Minister, Dept of Culture, - Conor Falvey, Assistant Secretary, Dept of Culture,

Informal communication (1)

Informal in-person conversations in relation to progress of the Abbey Theatre redevelopment project during a reception at the Houses of the Oireachtas with: - Simon Harris, Tánaiste - Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure - John Clendennen, TD - Cormac Devlin, TD - James Geoghegan, TD - Paschal Donohue, Minister for Finance (outgoing)

Meeting (2-5)

Meetings with representatives of the Dublin City Council and Dublin City Taskforce including discussions on the Abbey Theatre redevelopment project

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Conor Falvey Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

John Clendennen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cormac Devlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James Geoghegan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Karl Mitchell Executive Manager (Dublin City Council)