Overview
Located on Abbey Road in the centre of Naas, the Moat Theatre is one of County Kildare’s most active performance venues. The space operates as a 200-seat black-box studio, meaning the seating can be reconfigured to suit everything from intimate acoustic sets to full-scale stage productions. Beyond the auditorium, the venue houses a rotating visual arts gallery, a working café and a weekly country market, making it a practical stop for visitors seeking indoor activities or a break from the weather.
What’s On
The programme shifts regularly, with a mix of professional touring shows, local amateur productions and community events. Visitors can typically expect:
- Theatre & Drama – Classic plays, contemporary Irish writing and in-house productions from local drama groups.
- Music & Comedy – Stand-up line-ups, acoustic performances, tribute acts and classical concerts.
- Family & Youth Shows – Pantomimes during the holidays, children’s theatre and school showcase events.
The calendar also features annual highlights like the Moat Performing Arts Carnival in mid-June, which brings together local youth and amateur troupes for a weekend of stage performances. Because the studio space is intimate, tickets for popular shows sell out quickly. The full schedule and booking options are updated weekly on the venue’s website, with prices generally ranging from €10 to €30.
Gallery, Café & Friday Market
The theatre’s foyer operates as a free-to-enter visual arts gallery, showcasing rotating exhibitions of Irish painters, photographers and mixed-media artists. The space is well-lit and designed for easy viewing, making it a quiet spot to browse before or after a performance.
Adjacent to the gallery is the on-site café, which serves coffee, tea, light lunches, soups and pastries. It’s a practical base for pre-show refreshments or a post-performance catch-up. Since 2019, the foyer also hosts a country market every Friday morning. Local makers and producers set up stalls selling artisan bread, seasonal vegetables, handmade crafts and homewares. The market runs alongside the café, creating a relaxed weekend atmosphere that doesn’t require a performance ticket to enjoy.
History & Community Focus
The venue traces its origins to the Moat Club, established in 1954 to give Naas residents a dedicated space for drama and table tennis. The club purchased the former Christian Brothers school on Abbey Road in 1960, converting the upper floors for sports and opening a modest 125-seat theatre in the lower rooms by 1963.
A major upgrade in the early 2000s, supported by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and Naas Town Council, modernised the building while retaining its original stone façade and structural character. The renovation added a fly tower, retractable seating and professional backstage facilities, bringing the capacity to 200 seats. The name “Moat” references the nearby ancient motte that once served as a stronghold for the Kings of Leinster, linking the modern arts centre to the area’s long historical lineage.
Today, the theatre remains deeply tied to local education. It runs regular workshops for schools and youth groups covering acting, stagecraft, scriptwriting and technical production. Many sessions are offered free or at a reduced rate, keeping the venue accessible to students and emerging artists.
Facilities & Accessibility
The Moat Theatre is designed for flexibility. Key features include:
- Retractable seating that allows the stage to expand or contract based on the production.
- A fly tower for lighting and set changes.
- Two fully equipped rehearsal rooms and separate dressing rooms.
- A step-free foyer connecting the café, gallery and auditorium.
The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, with dedicated seating areas, accessible toilets and ramped entry points. It also frequently hosts conferences, corporate training sessions and private functions, thanks to its adaptable layout and AV capabilities.
Getting There & Practical Details
- Parking: A small car park sits directly beside the building, with additional street parking available on Abbey Road. Spaces fill quickly on performance nights, so arriving 20–30 minutes early is recommended.
- Public Transport: Bus Éireann routes 120 and 121 serve Naas town centre and stop within a short walk of the theatre. The nearest rail link is Naas (Kildare) station on the Dublin–Kildare commuter line, roughly a 10-minute taxi ride away.
- Box Office & Tickets: The box office operates during the published opening hours. Tickets can be purchased online or in person, with discounts typically available for students, seniors and families. Group bookings should be arranged directly through the venue.
Nearby Attractions
The theatre’s central location makes it easy to combine with other Kildare destinations:
- Castletown House – A 5-minute drive north, featuring guided estate tours, formal gardens and a working café.
- Irish National Stud & Gardens – About 10 km south, offering guided tours of the historic stables and landscaped grounds.
- Donadea Forest Park – A short drive west, providing marked woodland trails and open grassland for a quiet walk.
Arrive early on Friday mornings to secure a parking spot before the market draws in weekend shoppers, or book performance tickets online a few weeks ahead to guarantee your preferred seat in the intimate studio space.