Dance, music, theatre and the arts call this contemporary creative space home. What started life in 1966 as a three-week festival in the Gate Theatre has become a permanent alternative centre for performing and visual arts which, over the years, has seen future stars such as Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne perfect their acting skills. The theatre has also showcased the writings of acclaimed Irish film directors Jim Sheridan and Neil Jordan. The Virgin Prunes, The Boomtown Rats and U2 have all played here, too, so it is quite apt that it's across the road from the U2-owned Clarence Hotel. The new building was opened in June 2000 and consists of two theatres and a curated Gallery space.