Hawk’s Well Theatre Opens New Studio and Office in Temple Street

We at Hawk’s Well Theatre marked an exciting new chapter on Tuesday, 9 September, with the official opening of its newly developed rehearsal studio and office spaces at the Temple Street building.
The ribbon was cut by the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Donal Gilroy, who was joined by members of the community, artists, and supporters to celebrate this milestone. Guests heard speeches from Hawk’s Well Board Chair Philip Flynn and Director Kieran Griffiths, who spoke about the importance of this development for the future of the theatre and the wider arts community in Sligo: “Here, stories will take their first breath. Here, artists will push themselves, exhaust ideas, and find the ones that sing. And all of that invisible labour - the courage, the sweat, the persistence - is in service of something bigger: our audiences. Our community who come here to be transported, to laugh, to cry, to see the world differently, or simply to find a way out and a way through.”
Also in attendance was SHINE, Hawk’s Well’s drama group of young people with intellectual disabilities, who visited the space that will now serve as their new creative home. The expansion was made possible with help from Rethink Ireland, enabling Hawk’s Well to create a multipurpose rehearsal studio alongside the new office spaces. These facilities will provide vital resources to support artists, staff, and the community alike. Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Director Kieran Griffiths shared - “That is why it is especially important to us that our Shine group will have a home here. Shine represents so much of what Hawk’s Well stands for - creativity, inclusivity, and the power of the arts to bring people together. This expanded footprint will ensure Shine can continue to flourish as integral part of Hawk’s Well.”
This project also breathes new life into Hawk’s Well’s wider renovation vision, which had stalled due to rising construction costs during Covid. With this expanded footprint, the theatre is now in a position to reimagine its plans - guided by a core commitment to access. Access - for artists to create and collaborate, for audiences to experience world-class performances, and for the community to enjoy a vibrant cultural hub.
We at Hawk’s Well Theatre look forward to building on this momentum to deliver a world-class, inclusive theatre and arts centre for the people of Sligo and beyond.