The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is the centre of academic and performance excellence housed at the University of Limerick, Ireland. The Academy honours the energies of performance and academic reflection across a wide range of genres and disciplines. These in turn are informed by innovative community outreach and artist-in-residence initiatives that take the Academy to the wider community while attracting a wealth of international performance and scholarly expertise. Founded in 1994 by Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, it has come to find its true home on the beautiful banks of the River Shannon in a state of the art building, which includes two theatres, recording studio, individual practice rooms and dance studios, provides and inspiring creative space for all those who study there. The Academy has a strong international presence with students from over 40 countries studying there. With a faculty of excellent performers, academics and industry professionals the experience of studying at the Irish World Academy second to none. It offers a suite of taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in musicians dance related subject areas and its research is at the forefront of these fields of enquiry worldwide.
Tel: +353 61 202590
Email: irishworldacademy@ul.ie
Irish World Academy of Music & Dance,
University of Limerick,
Limerick, Ireland.
V94 DK18
Monday-Friday only: 8am-6pm (card access only)
Please note that Academy staff/students will need UL ID cards to swipe the card system at the main and/or side entrances to get access to the building.
Located on the Clare side of the University of Limerick campus, the 5,000 square metre building was specifically designed to combine the elements of research, performance and teaching. Comprising of both performance and practice spaces; the buildings facilitates include two world class performance spaces. Theatre 1 is a 230 seater configurable space. While Theatre 2, or The Tower, is a 90 seater designed specifically for acoustic performances. Each theatre houses a Steinway piano. Both theatres have sprung dance floors and equipped with professional sound and lighting rigs. Each theatre also has professional multi-track recording capabilities. In addition to networked audio throughout, the buildings technical infrastructure also includes dedicated recording and editing studios. The Academy has a dedicated Mac lab with professional grade software for sound and film studies and there are over 40 music rooms for rehearsals, classes, and practicing. The second floor of the building houses professional dance studios and equipment throughout. In addition to two dedicated digital piano labs, there are over 20 pianos located throughout the building.
Accessibility
The Irish World Academy endeavours to provided and inclusive and accessible space for all. If you would like to get in touch to discuss your accessibility needs, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact 061 202590 or irishworldacademy@ul.ie.
Our facilities include a wheelchair accessible lifts, seating and occasional sensory friendly performances.
Wheelchair Users/Impaired Mobility
The Irish World Academy is accessible for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility.
Theatre 1- There are 6 spaces available at ground level.
Theatre 2- There are 6 spaces available at ground level.
Please note accessible spaces can be booked by contacting the Irish World Academy – 061 202590 or irishworldacademy@ul.ie.
Access & Parking
There are 17 designated parking spaces located in the Pavilion Car Park P25, and 4 designated parking spaces in P26 – see car park map.
The Irish World Academy building is accessible for wheelchair users and those with impaired mobility from the main entrance doors facing the living bridge.
Assistance Dogs
The Irish World Academy welcomes Assistance Dogs. If you have an assistance dog, please advise the Irish World Academy and appropriate seating can be allocated. Irish World Academy – 061 202590 or irishworldacademy@ul.ie.
Sensory Friendly Performances
On occasion we are in a position to run sensory friendly performances for people with special needs. These performances will typically feature lower music, brighter lights, an absence of sudden noise and other subtle changes that will make the performance more accessible. Please contact Irish World Academy for a list of these performances – 061 202590 or irishworldacademy@ul.ie.