Irish World Academy of Music and Dance

Limerick, Republic of Ireland

This unique facility places equal emphasis on music and dance, and provides a dedicated setting for learning through its philosophy of reflection, practice, artists-in-residence and community outreach projects. The new 20 million Euro building houses two performance workshop theatres, the 200-seat Sionna Theatre and the 80-seat Tower Theatre. The Sionna Theatre has been designed as a musical laboratory, best suited to host dance performances, while the Tower Theatre is ideal for chant and voice performances. The building also includes a green room for performers, recording spaces, a researcher's area, performance control rooms, music performance practical rooms and dance performance studios. These facilities have been designed to maximise natural ventilation in order to reduce the Academy's long term carbon footprint.