The regeneration of the Abbey Theatre, which is receiving €80m in state funding, is expected to be completed within the next three years.
Capital funding has been allocated by the Department of Culture up to 2027 to expand the national theatre’s premises significantly.
Graham McLaren, who was appointed co-director of the Abbey in 2016, said that “with a bit of luck” the current building would not exist by the time he and fellow director Neil Murray complete their first five-year contract in 2021.
The plan involves demolishing the current structure on the corner of Abbey Street and Marlborough Street in Dublin city centre, and expanding into adjacent premises on Eden Quay.
Two larger auditoriums will replace the current Abbey and Peacock spaces, with audience capacities