At the heart of Waterford City’s Cultural Quarter, Garter Lane Arts Centre is one of the city’s most important creative spaces, bringing together theatre, visual art, film, music, dance, children’s programming, workshops and artist development under one cultural umbrella.
Operating across two historic Georgian buildings on O’Connell Street, Garter Lane has been part of Waterford’s cultural life since 1984. Today, visitors can see a live performance in its intimate 164-seat theatre, discover contemporary art in its galleries, attend a film screening, take part in workshops and classes or experience one of the many special events taking place throughout the year.
What is Garter Lane Arts Centre?
Garter Lane is a multidisciplinary arts centre in Waterford City.
Rather than concentrating on one type of art or entertainment, its year-round programme encompasses theatre, visual art, dance, music, film, children’s arts, exhibitions, talks, workshops and outreach activities. The centre says it welcomes more than 30,000 visitors annually.
Garter Lane operates across two locations on O’Connell Street: the theatre and gallery at 22a O’Connell Street, and Garter Lane Arts Centre Studios at 5 O’Connell Street.
What’s On at Garter Lane?
The programme changes throughout the year, which is one of the main reasons to keep checking what’s happening.
Depending on when you visit Waterford, you might find:
- Theatre and drama
- Live music
- Comedy
- Film and cinema screenings
- Contemporary visual-art exhibitions
- Dance
- Children’s performances and activities
- Workshops and classes
- Talks and special events
Garter Lane combines visiting professional work with locally produced performances and exhibitions, making it both a place to experience national arts programming and an important showcase for Waterford’s own creative community.
Garter Lane Theatre
The theatre is one of the centre’s principal visitor spaces.
Located within a former Quaker Meeting House, the auditorium has 164 seats, giving performances a considerably more intimate atmosphere than you’d experience in a large theatre or concert hall.
That size works particularly well for theatre, comedy, music and spoken-word performances because the audience remains close to the stage.
The venue also has digital cinema facilities, including professional projection equipment, allowing Garter Lane to operate as a cinema and screening venue as well as a conventional theatre.
Art at Garter Lane
You don’t necessarily need a theatre ticket to have a reason to visit.
Garter Lane has two exhibition spaces at its theatre building: its Main Gallery and Front of House exhibition space. These are programmed throughout the year with contemporary and locally produced visual art.
Garter Lane Studios
A short distance away at 5 O’Connell Street is the centre’s second major creative space.
The original Garter Lane Arts Centre opened here in 1984, in a former townhouse once associated with prominent Quaker merchant Samuel Barker. The building had previously served as Waterford’s city library and also as a bank.
Following a major refurbishment and repurposing project, the building officially reopened as Garter Lane Studios in June 2024.
Today it contains artist studios, a sprung-floor dance studio, children’s workshop space, project space and theatre-development facilities.
Supporting Waterford Artists
Garter Lane isn’t simply somewhere finished artistic work is presented.
A substantial part of its role involves helping artists create and develop new work.
The centre provides ten visual-art studios as well as dance, workshop and project spaces, while supporting artist residencies and professional development across disciplines including theatre, dance and film.
Over its history, Garter Lane has provided a home or important base for Waterford cultural organisations and artists including Red Kettle Theatre Company, Spraoi and Waterford Youth Arts.
That makes it an important part of the infrastructure behind Waterford’s cultural life, not simply another entertainment venue.
40 Years of Garter Lane
Garter Lane officially opened in 1984, with Irish actor Niall Tóibín performing the opening honours.
What began in a collection of rooms at No. 5 O’Connell Street has subsequently developed into a multidisciplinary arts organisation operating across two significant city-centre buildings.
Its longevity matters because many of the theatre companies, festivals, performers and artists associated with Waterford’s modern cultural identity have had some connection with Garter Lane during their development.
Is Garter Lane Family Friendly?
Yes – depending on the event.
Garter Lane runs dedicated children’s arts programming alongside performances, workshops and other activities suitable for families and young audiences.
Individual performances can have their own age recommendations, so parents should check the event information before booking.
Is Garter Lane Accessible?
The Theatre and Gallery at 22a O’Connell Street are wheelchair accessible. Accessible theatre seating is available, although Garter Lane asks customers requiring wheelchair spaces to book directly through the Box Office rather than online.
The historic Studio building at No. 5 has greater physical-access constraints because it is a protected structure and does not have a lift.
Visitors with specific requirements should therefore contact the centre before attending an event at the Studios.
Where is Garter Lane?
The main Theatre, Gallery and Box Office are located at:
22a O’Connell Street
Waterford City
X91 DX57
Box Office: 051 855038
Email: ticket@garterlane.ie
Garter Lane Studios are located nearby at:
5 O’Connell Street
Waterford City
X91 ER27
Both locations are in Waterford City’s Cultural Quarter, within easy walking distance of the city centre, the quays and Waterford’s main shopping streets.
Box Office & Gallery Opening Hours
Garter Lane currently lists its Box Office and Gallery opening hours as:
Tuesday–Saturday: 11am–5.30pm
On performance days, the Box Office remains available until shortly before the performance begins.
Tickets can be purchased online, over the telephone or directly from the Box Office.
Because exhibitions, performances and opening arrangements can change, check the current programme before travelling specifically for an event.
Waterford In Your Pocket Tip
Don’t think of Garter Lane as somewhere you visit only when you already have a theatre ticket.
Check the programme whenever you’re planning a day or night in Waterford. You could discover an exhibition, independent film, workshop, comedy show, concert or piece of theatre you hadn’t originally planned to see.
And if you’re passing along O’Connell Street while the Gallery is open, have a look at the current exhibition.
That’s exactly what a city arts centre should be – somewhere you can intentionally visit for a performance but also somewhere you can simply walk into and discover something new.
What Can I Do Nearby?
From here visitors can easily walk towards Waterford’s quays and city centre, while the Viking Triangle and its major attractions are also within walking distance.
For an evening performance, you can also check out nearby restaurants, pubs and bars, taxis and accommodation.
Combine your Cultural Quarter visit with a browse through the second-hand books at Little Lane Bookshop on O’Connell Street.
Visitors staying overnight for a show can explore The Fitzwilton Hotel on Bridge Street.
For another city-centre accommodation option when visiting for a show, explore Treacys Hotel on Merchants Quay.
Visitors staying overnight for a show can also explore Dooley's Hotel on Merchants Quay.
Good to Know Before You Go
Best for: Theatre lovers, art lovers, couples, families, film fans and cultural visitors
Location: 22a O’Connell Street, Waterford City
Area: Waterford Cultural Quarter
Type: Arts Centre / Theatre / Gallery / Cinema / Creative Studios
Established: 1984
Theatre capacity: 164 seats
Visual art: Two exhibition spaces
Cinema: Digital cinema facilities
Children’s programming: Yes
Indoor attraction: Yes
Rainy-day suitability: Excellent
Family friendly: Yes, depending on individual events
Wheelchair access: Theatre and Gallery accessible
Tickets: Online, by telephone or at the Box Office
Booking: Advance booking recommended for ticketed performances
Box Office: 051 855038
Garter Lane Arts Centre – official website and programme
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