Live Music Feature: How the Venue Theatre became the heart of Ratoath in Meath

Ratoath, South Meath, might not ring bells for every one of our readers, but this town is becoming a music stronghold thanks to their Venue Theatre.

Ratoath is only a 15 minutes drive from the Blanchardstown or Finglas exits off the M50. Situated beside the more well known landmark of Fairyhouse Racecourse, it is a village fast becoming a town, with its population having grown from 1,000 in 1990 to almost 12,000 today. The town itself sits midway between the M2 and M3 and is centrally located to the nearby surrounding towns of Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne. Bus Eireann operate regular bus services from Dublin and there is free parking in the town. Ratoath has two pubs and six well regarded restaurants.

And right in the middle of Ratoath - on its Main Street - sits the Venue Theatre and Community Centre. Built in 2006, this community-owned enterprise also has a nearby 7 acre community sports campus and it really is at the heart of the town. The main building not only has a 234 seat theatre, but also an 84 seat studio, as well as an award winning pre-school community creche, a series of rooms which have been dubbed a "mini-Fame Academy of acting, dancing and singing', a coffee shop named As You Like It which becomes a steakhouse in the evening, and meeting rooms for all kinds of community groups and clubs.

The Venue Theatre also offers really impressive acoustics and, irrespective of where you sit, no one in the audience is more than a short distance from the stage with the theatre’s tiered seating.

Lisa Hannigan at Venue Theatre
Photo Credit: Alan Smith

In recent years, Ireland's most prominent performers have flocked to this venue. Christy Moore first performed two shows here in November 2017 but was back within nine months for two more shows in July 2018 (you'll see a framed signed set list from Christy as soon as you enter the venue).

Other artists who have framed and signed testimonials include Janis Ian, Paul Brady, and Arlo Guthrie. In recent months a new upstairs Venue Studio space has been developed and is proving very popular with comedians - with recent shows from Alison Spittle, Joanne McNally and Eric Lalor.

A lot of the credit for the venue's success must be given to Mary Nolan, the Venue Theatre manager, who has worked hard in recent years to build up an impressive list of artists and she and her team strive to create a homely atmosphere for artists and audience. In most cases the artists stay around to meet the audience and it is this intimate merging of audience and artist that seems to make both the artist and the audience members look to come back to the Venue.

Readers, for those who have yet to attend a show in Ratoath, we urge you to check out this hidden gem. Paul Noonan of Bell X1 fame has just recently announced a solo show for May 24, whilst other upcoming acts include Eleanor McEvoy on March 23, Johnny Duhan on April 13, Mick Hanly and Donal Lunny on April 19, Stocktons Wing on May 3 and Mary Black on May 30. Comedians also feature with Eleanor Tiernan on March 15, Fred Cooke on Sept 27, David O’Doherty on October 18 and Des Bishop on November 15.

The Venue Theatre & Studio
Main Street
Ratoath, Co Meath A85 WV77
www.venuetheatre.ieBox Office Tel 01 6895600
Facebook - thevenuetheatre
Twitter - RVenueTheatre
Instagram - ratoathvenuetheatre
Promoters contact [email protected]