A space suit hangs not far from a clerical alb. Around the corner, there are Georgian frock coats, flat caps, quilted jackets and a ghostly lace nightdress. At the Abbey Theatre costume warehouse in Finglas, more than 30,000 pieces are carefully stored, repaired and rented out, making Abbey Theatre costume hire one of the most quietly remarkable creative resources in Ireland.
Opened in 2009 during the recession, the warehouse began as a practical way to protect skills and save jobs. It has since grown into a vital service for theatre makers, filmmakers, music video crews and amateur drama groups. This is not fancy dress. The stock is built for work, performance and close scrutiny under stage lights.
A warehouse where Irish theatre history stays in motion
Head of costume Donna Geraghty and her team manage rails packed with periodwear, uniforms, shoes, hats and accessories, with prices starting from just a few euro. Some pieces date back decades, and a few even survived the Abbey fire of 1951. Others have come in through donations from the public, film and television.
What makes Abbey Theatre costume hire special is not just the scale. It is the care. Costumes are altered, aged, mended and sometimes remade entirely. In the theatre’s workrooms, shoes are scuffed to look lived-in, shirts are toned down so they do not glare under lights, and damaged garments are repaired night after night during a run.
Why the collection matters
- More than 30,000 costumes and accessories available to rent
- Used by professional productions and local groups alike
- Supports Irish stagecraft, design skills and costume conservation
- Keeps garments in use through repair, reuse and repurposing
The warehouse is also helping shape new work, including The Whiteheaded Boy, reset in 1980s Ireland. Designers draw on family albums and Reeling in the Years to build looks that feel true to life. That blend of memory, craft and practicality is the point.
Abbey Theatre costume hire is, in the end, about giving stories their skin. In Finglas, whole eras wait on hangers, ready for their next entrance. Image Courtesy: The Irish Times
