Overview
Siamsa Tíre began as a church choir. In 1957 Fr Pat Ahern came to Tralee to organise one at St John’s, and within a decade it had grown into a folk-theatre company; the purpose-built 350-seat theatre beside Tralee Town Park opened in 1991. The name means ‘entertainment of the land’ (roughly Shee-am-sa Tee-ra), and that is still the job: this is Ireland’s National Folk Theatre, in County Kerry, with a stone, ring-fort-inspired building housing the auditorium, rehearsal studios, a music room and gallery spaces.
If you can only do one thing here, come in summer for a Festival of Folk production. The signature show, Anam, pairs Irish dancers with the ‘Munnix’ step particular to North Kerry, and the compact auditorium makes it a close-up experience the touring version can’t match. Outside the folk season it works just as well as a wet-afternoon stop: touring drama, concerts, comedy, and a gallery that costs nothing to walk into.
History & origins
Fr Ahern’s choir staged a full passion play, Golgotha, in 1963. The group took the name Siamsóirí na Ríochta and by 1968 was running a full summer season, performing in temporary homes like the Ashe Memorial Hall and the old Theatre Royal. The professional company Siamsa Tíre Teo was incorporated in 1974, and Ahern stayed on as artistic director until 1998, seeing the move into the permanent Tralee building through. The charity still works through performance, education and community outreach.
What to see & do
Festival of Folk & live productions
The summer season (May to September) is built around the Festival of Folk, evening productions that weave together traditional music, song, dance and storytelling. Anam and its like put world-class dancers and the distinctive North Kerry step in front of you in a room small enough that nothing is lost. The repertory company tours these shows nationwide, but Tralee is where you see them at full strength.
Year-round events & concerts
Outside the folk season the programme broadens to touring drama, classical concerts, stand-up, opera and locally produced work. The 350-seat layout gives clear sightlines from every angle, and there’s a licensed bar for before the show and the interval. One thing to know before you book: a €2 booking fee applies per ticket, online, by phone or at the box office, and popular shows sell out well ahead.
Free gallery & Folk Homecoming exhibition
The galleries are free and open alongside the box office. The summer Folk Homecoming Exhibition lays out the theatre’s 50-year story through archival photographs, audio and video, from Fr Ahern’s early choir to the present academy. It’s a quiet counterpoint to the stage.
Workshops & training academy
Siamsa Tíre runs a National Folk Theatre Training Academy, with structured programmes in traditional song, dance and theatre for children from age six across multi-year cycles. Shorter workshops range from Irish-language song sessions to North Kerry dance steps; school groups can book curriculum-linked sessions, and summer camps run week-long. Check the website for adult workshop dates.
Sustainability
Siamsa Tíre is Ireland’s first Green Certified Theatre. It tracks its energy use, cuts waste and prioritises sustainable sourcing for events and catering.
Practical information
Opening hours & box office
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Saturday | 10:00 – 17:30 |
| Sunday | Closed (building opens 18:00 – 19:30 only for scheduled performances) |
| Christmas Eve | Half-day (closes afternoon) |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
| St Stephen’s Day | Closed |
| New Year’s Eve | Half-day |
| New Year’s Day | Closed |
The box office handles ticket sales, group bookings and enquiries during opening hours. Tickets and gift vouchers are also available online at siamsatire.ticketsolve.com.
Admission & fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Art gallery | Free |
| Tours | Varies (concession, group & family discounts available) |
| Events & performances | Varies (concession, group & family discounts available) |
| Gift vouchers | Paid (online or in-person) |
Concession rates for seniors, students and the unwaged apply from September to May.
Getting there & parking
Siamsa Tíre is on the edge of Tralee Town Park, a short walk from the town centre and the main Bus Éireann terminus, with a taxi rank just outside. Park free in the adjacent Brandon Car Park, which has designated disabled bays and a drop-off point at the entrance; the Kerry County Council car park on Princes Street is free after 6pm, handy for evening shows. The venue is fully wheelchair-accessible, with a ramped entrance, accessible toilets and dedicated seating for guests with limited mobility.
Nearby attractions
Before or after a show, the park has a Rose Garden, the Garden of the Senses and a playground for restless children. It’s also a short walk to the Kerry County Museum, and to Austin Stack Park, the GAA grounds where Tralee’s football and hurling are played.
Planning your visit
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain to sort parking, collect tickets and get a drink at the bar.
- Summer folk shows sell out weeks ahead; book online.
- Visiting off-season? Check the events calendar for touring productions and gallery hours before you go.
- The box office can arrange guided tours of the venue for groups interested in the technical side of staging.
- Bring a light layer for the auditorium; it runs cool to protect acoustic instruments.