Our Story
The Lyric has built a long history as Northern Ireland's premiere self-producing theatre - from our establishment as The Lyric Players Theatre in 1951 at the Derryvolgie Avenue home of our founders Mary and Pearse O'Malley, to our move to Ridgeway Street in 1968, and finally our rebuild in 2011.
For inquiries, tour rates, or donations, please contact us at [email protected]
A Humble Beginning
Founded in 1951 by Mary O’Malley and her husband Pearse, the Lyric began in the front room of their home before moving to the converted stable loft at Derryvolgie Avenue on Belfast’s Malone Road. Mary envisioned "a poet’s theatre," a space for Irish playwrights, poets, and artists to unite, and it quickly became a cultural oasis in a city she and contemporaries described as a "cultural desert".
Establishing Roots on Ridgeway Street
In 1968, the Lyric moved to a purpose-built theatre on Ridgeway Street, with its opening concealing a nod to President John F. Kennedy’s Amherst address on the power of artists in society. It also marked a beacon of creative neutrality during the Troubles, remaining open when other venues closed, offering a vital civic space across a community divided by conflict.
A Legacy of Talent and Storytelling
Over the years, the Lyric premiered and nurtured works by luminaries such as Stewart Parker, Christina Reid, Martin Lynch, Marie Jones, and John Boyd, becoming a cradle for socially conscious storytelling. It also fostered actors including Liam Neeson (now its patron), Ciarán Hinds, Adrian Dunbar, Conleth Hill, Stella McCusker, and Michelle Fairley, many of whom developed their craft under the Lyric’s roof.
A Bold New Chapter: The 2011 Rebuild
The theatre’s iconic architecture—designed by O’Donnell & Tuomey and completed in 2011—is praised for its blend of grandeur and intimacy. The result is an angular, sculptural building that elegantly responds to its riverside and urban context.
Inside, the new 389-seat main stage and versatile Naughton Studio (120–170 seats) are joined by rehearsal, education, and hospitality spaces—nearly triple the capacity of the old theatre. The development was made possible through widespread support—including a landmark £1 million donation from Dr. Martin Naughton—and stands as a testament to the region’s commitment to cultural transformation.
A Creative and Civic Powerhouse Today
Now Northern Ireland’s only full-time producing theatre, The Lyric recently won The Stage’s Theatre of the Year for its dynamic programming, inclusive outreach, and commitment to underrepresented voices. In 2023 alone, it welcomed over 90,000 people and engaged nearly 13,000 school children through its Creative Learning programme. It continues to extend its reach through co-productions, touring, and vital artist development initiatives.