Theatre in Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century: the troubled 1840s

The mid-nineteenth century was a challenging and turbulent time for Irish theatres, with the 1840s being particularly difficult. The period saw a growing demand for recreation which resulted in a surge of improvements in Irish theatre infrastructure and concerted efforts of theatre managers to attract the public by providing a wide range of entertainment in cities and country towns. Irish audiences had access to a broad repertoire that embraced everything from Shakespeare and high opera to rude farce and low comedy, while developments in transport ensured that internationally renowned performers were familiar to Irish theatre-goers to whom the theatre became increasingly accessible.