The Helix, Ireland's finest new performing arts venue, makes final preparations to open in October
27th September 2002

The Helix is Dublin City University's new performance and visual arts centre. Built at a cost of €36.5 million, funding for the project was secured by the DCU Educational Trust from a number of sources including Government and Toyota Ireland.

The creation of The Helix represents not only an impressive cultural development for Dublin, Ireland and beyond but has special resonance for people in North Dublin.

Aside from the breathtaking vista of The Helix building inside and out, the venue prides itself on the range of performing arts that it can stage. Using three auditoria as well as a visual arts gallery, The Helix will stage opera, orchestral music, drama, comedy, rock gigs and even an ice show. Artists scheduled to play at The Helix include Dame Kiri De Kanawa, Leslie Garrett, Juliet Turner, the Reduced Shakespeare Company and Charlie Landsborough.

"These are just a taste of some of the superb productions we are staging," according to The Helix director, Nick Reed. "We are offering a unique place in Irish cultural life where audiences of all forms of performance art can feel at home."

The inaugural gala concert takes place on Wednesday 16 October in the presence of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. On Saturday, 19 October, The Helix presents 'Access All Areas', an opportunity for members of the public to explore the building. This open day will provide excitement and entertainment for all the family with backstage tours, live performances and plenty of surprises.

Speaking before the official opening of the Helix, the president of DCU, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski outlined the university's motives for building the centre. "In developing the arts centre DCU strove to enrich the community in which we live. The university believes it has a major role to play in supporting and facilitating artistic expression and entertainment. The Helix is designed to be welcoming and accessible to all visitors and will undoubtedly become a regular venue for Dubliners and visitors from further afield."

The realisation of The Helix was made possible with the assistance of a number of supporters including Dr Tim Mahony, Chairman of Toyota Ireland.

"It has been a privilege for us in Toyota Ireland to be involved with the development of this magnificent edifice which will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the future of the performing arts in this country." Said Dr Mahony. "It is a space which engages and enchants and is a striking testimony to the foresight and commitment of the visionaries here at Dublin City University."

The centre was designed by Polish-born Andrzei Wejchert and is a stunning building with elevations of contrasting glass and granite. Inside, the foyer - featuring inclined columns - is the main organising focal point in the building itself and is arranged over three levels with an interconnecting open void through which light spills from the roof. The void has a series of sweeping stairways, which twist like a helix structure to entice patrons towards the upper levels.

The main auditorium, The Mahony Hall, can seat 1,260 over two floors. The hall is designed for acoustic excellence as well as patron comfort. The Hall is named after Dr Tim Mahony, chairman of Toyota Ireland and a long time supporter of the Arts in Ireland.

The Theatre seats 450 and is fully equipped with orchestra pit and fly tower. The Theatre has one of the largest stages in Ireland. The fly tower is clad with glass, which reflects the surrounding skyline.

The Space studio theatre is designed as a totally flexible space suitable for experimental theatre and contemporary music. The studio can seat 150.

The seating layouts in each of the three venues and the ratio of audience to performance can be changed to allow alternative uses ranging from theatre, cinema, concerts, musicals, dance and pop concerts to exhibitions, banquets, examinations, graduations and conferences.

More information can be found at www.thehelix.ie or at The Helix box office, which is open Monday To Saturday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm extending to 8.00 pm from 17 October. The number to call is 01 700 7000.

Ends.

Press Contact:Emmet McSwiney
emmet.mcswiney@thehelix.dcu.ie
01 700 7115