Arts For All, Arts For Life
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The Presentation Centre is a multi-use arts, culture and entertainment venue in the heart of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. 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 Centre retains all the wonderful features of the former convent chapel including original stained glass windows, ornate timber ceiling, original wishbone floor, decorative arches and adjoining gardens, now known as The Orchard Peace Park. The Presentation 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. Interested in using The Presentation Centre for your event, launch, gig or theatre production? Want to view the venue before deciding? |
History
In 1826, The Presentation Convent and school were founded in Enniscorthy, on what was then known as Egghouse 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 inundated with crowds of people from all walks of life hoping for an education.
Their service continued until the late 1980s, at this point the Presentation sisters felt their mission was completed after 175 years of service and handed the school and subsequently the convent over to the district of Enniscorthy. The school continues to operate next door to The Presentation Centre as St. Aidan's Primary School.
The convent, in a state of disuse and disrepair 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 Centre as we know it today, a popular multi-use arts, culture and entertainment venue.
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 Centre.
Their service continued until the late 1980s, at this point the Presentation sisters felt their mission was completed after 175 years of service and handed the school and subsequently the convent over to the district of Enniscorthy. The school continues to operate next door to The Presentation Centre as St. Aidan's Primary School.
The convent, in a state of disuse and disrepair 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 Centre as we know it today, a popular multi-use arts, culture and entertainment venue.
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 Centre.
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