Vol. 400 No. 9
1 Mr. Nealon asked the Taoiseach if he has given consideration to the purchase of the former home of Hilton Edwards and Micheál MacLiammóir at No. 4 Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2, which is to be auctioned shortly, for use as a centre for a national theatre archive.
I have received no approach on this matter and as I have earlier indicated to the Deputy in reply to a Dáil question by him on 22 November last, I believe that the establishment of a National Theatre Archive would be a matter for consideration by the Arts Council pursuant to their statutory role in relation to theatre.
As the Taoiseach is aware, the Irish Theatre Archives have a temporary space in City Hall at the moment which is very limited. Even though they have managed to collect 18,000 artefacts they still have to turn them down on a regular basis because of the lack of adequate space. Does he not think that this would be a unique opportunity of getting, as suitable accommodation, the former home of the two great geniuses of Irish theatre?
I am aware of the situation outlined by the Deputy. I am not too sure that this particular premises would be all that suitable. I am glad to be able to tell the Deputy that I had the pleasure of dining there on the odd occasion with the two eminent residents when they were in their heyday, but even that would not persuade me it is a suitable premises.
The fact that the Taoiseach has dined there with these particular geniuses of the theatre might be another reason this would be a suitable premises. Would the Taoiseach not agree it is important to the standing in the world of the National Theatre that there should be an adequate theatre gallery here in the capital. The Taoiseach would accept that we have all these great writers, actors and directors with worldwide recognition and that there is something wrong that we are among the very few capitals that do not have a special theatre archive.
I will look into it.
