The Presentation Arts Centre
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The Presentation Arts Centre is a multi-use arts, culture and entertainment venue in the heart of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Located on the site of the former Presentation Convent, our venue is a fully accessible fusion of modern aesthetics with historical architecture, and provides a unique and unforgettable backdrop for gigs, exhibitions, theatre, workshops and classes.
Developed and supported by our big sister Wexford Arts Centre and Enniscorthy Municipal District, The Presentation Arts Centre retains all the wonderful features of the former convent chapel including original vibrant stained glass windows, ornate timber ceiling, original wishbone floor, decorative arches and adjoining gardens, now known as The Orchard Peace Park. The Presentation Arts Centre has a spacious reception and gallery area with an adjoining catering and bar facility, and a stage with lighting and sound. In a world without Covid-19 we had 100 ground floor movable seats and 40 balcony seats, however now we operate with limited seating, the number of which changes with every event to best comply with health and safety measures. Interested in using The Presentation Arts Centre for your event, launch, gig or theatre production? Want to view the venue before deciding? |
Gallery & Box Office Open Hours
Monday - Thursday: 10am until 5pm Friday: 10am until 4pm Saturday: 10am until 1pm Closed on Sundays Closed for lunch on weekdays from 1pm until 2pm Address & Contact Info The Presentation Arts Centre Convent Road Enniscorthy Co. Wexford Y21 X889 Phone: 053 92 33000 |
History
In 1826, The Presentation Convent and schoolhouse were founded in Enniscorthy, on what was then known as Poorhouse Road. The primary aim of the Presentation Order of nuns was to provide education to the poor and marginalised people of Wexford, and the school was flooded with crowds of people from all walks of life seeking an education.
The Presentation Order's service continued until the late 1980s, until the Presentation sisters felt their mission was completed after 175 years of service. They handed the school over to the district of Enniscorthy, along with the convent at a later date. The school continues to operate next door to The Presentation Centre as St. Aidan's Primary School.
The convent, in a state of irreparable disuse since the departure of the sisters, was mostly demolished and redeveloped into an arts centre which successfully retained the original convent chapel as a performance space. Originally named the Eileen Gray Community Centre and subsequently renamed The Nano Nagle Presentation Community Centre, the building eventually became The Presentation Arts Centre as we know it today, a popular multi-use arts, culture and entertainment venue which will soon celebrate a decade established in Enniscorthy in May 2022.
For more information on the history of the Presentation community in Wexford, we recommend reading 'Going One Step Beyond' by Joe Rolston & Scott Gaynor. A copy is available to read at The Presentation Arts Centre.
The Presentation Order's service continued until the late 1980s, until the Presentation sisters felt their mission was completed after 175 years of service. They handed the school over to the district of Enniscorthy, along with the convent at a later date. The school continues to operate next door to The Presentation Centre as St. Aidan's Primary School.
The convent, in a state of irreparable disuse since the departure of the sisters, was mostly demolished and redeveloped into an arts centre which successfully retained the original convent chapel as a performance space. Originally named the Eileen Gray Community Centre and subsequently renamed The Nano Nagle Presentation Community Centre, the building eventually became The Presentation Arts Centre as we know it today, a popular multi-use arts, culture and entertainment venue which will soon celebrate a decade established in Enniscorthy in May 2022.
For more information on the history of the Presentation community in Wexford, we recommend reading 'Going One Step Beyond' by Joe Rolston & Scott Gaynor. A copy is available to read at The Presentation Arts Centre.
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