The Helix, Dublin

{{more footnotes needed|date=April 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox venue | name = The Helix | fullname = The Helix Centre for the Performing Arts | former_names = North Dublin Arts Centre | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = The_Helix_,_Dublin_City_University_-_geograph.org.uk_-_517797.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | caption = The Helix in August 2007 | address = DCU Main Campus, Collins Avenue Extension<br>[[Dublin]] [[List of Dublin postal districts|D9]]<br>D09 FW22<br>[[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] | location = [[Glasnevin]] | coordinates = {{coord|53|23|11|N|6|15|34|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | type = | event = | broke_ground = {{Start date|2000|08|df=y}} | built = | opened = {{Start date|2002|10|21|df=y}} | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = [[Dublin City University]] | operator = UAC Management DAC, a DCU subsidiary company | cost = €36.5 million | architect = [[A&D Wejchert & Partners Architects|Wejchert Architects]] | builder = | project_manager = Healy Kelly & Partners | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = Bennett Construction | main_contractors = | seating_type = | capacity = {{ubl|1,300 (Mahony Hall)|433 (Helix Theatre)|132 (The Space)}} | embedded = | website = {{URL|http://thehelix.ie/}} | public_transit = }}

'''The Helix''', formally ''The Helix Centre for the Performing Arts'', is a multi-purpose venue located on the [[Dublin City University]] main campus in [[Glasnevin]], [[Dublin]]. Officially opened by then [[President of Ireland]], [[Mary McAleese]], on 5 March 1996, the Helix contains a concert hall, theatre, studio theatre, exhibition space, artists-in-residence studios, and a [[green room]] and other support spaces, along with an in-site café.

==History== [[File:The helix2.JPG|left|thumb|The Helix in June 2005]] Originally conceived as an ''aula maxima'' for the university, and also as the "North Dublin (Performing) Arts Centre," the Helix was built at a cost of €56.5 million between 1996 and mid-1998.

==Design and features== The Helix was designed by the late Polish-born Dublin-based architect Andrzej Wejchert of [[A&D Wejchert & Partners Architects]].<ref name="Wejchert">{{cite web |title=The Helix Performing Arts Centre DCU |url=http://www.wejchert.ie/projects/project-detail/the-helix-performing-arts-centre-dcu |website=Wejchert Architects |access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref> It is a three-level building with elevations of contrasting glass and granite, and with an open void through which light spills from the roof. The 11,650 square metres of the building are built around a wide foyer with inclined columns and a helix-shaped stairway - the building was named for the helical structure that dominates the entrance.

The performance spaces include the main concert hall, "The O'Mahony Hall," main Helix theatre, "The Space" - a studio theatre, exhibition space, artists-in-residence studios, and a green room, while ancillary spaces include a café, box office, small shop, toilets and other amenities.

==Performances and events== The Helix has been host to world-class performances ranging from [[Zach Bryan]], the [[Russian National Orchestra|Russian State Philharmonic Orchestra]], The [[Mariinsky Ballet|St Petersburg Ballet]], international theatre and world singers through to popular West End shows. Opera singers performing have included [[Dame Kiri Te Kanawa]], [[Lesley Garrett]] and [[Bryn Terfel]]. Rock musicians [[Van Morrison]] and [[Lou Reed]] have also played at the venue. Irish groups such as [[Celtic Thunder]] have also performed there.

==Non-Entertainment Uses== During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland|COVID-19 pandemic]] the space was used as a vaccination centre beginning in February 2021.<ref name=it-the-dublin-theatre-turned-vaccination-centre-we-re-planning-for-5-000-people-a-day>{{cite news|title=The Dublin theatre-turned-vaccination centre: 'We're planning for 5,000 people a day'|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/the-dublin-theatre-turned-vaccination-centre-we-re-planning-for-5-000-people-a-day-1.4482546|last=Power|first=Jack|date=11 February 2021|access-date=14 May 2021|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref><ref name=rte-helix-vaccine>{{cite news|title=Hundreds of over-85s vaccinated at DCU centre today|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0220/1198295-helix-vaccine/|last=Hogan|first=Laura|date=20 February 2021|access-date=14 May 2021|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> The capacity of the car park was a factor in choosing the building.<ref name=it-the-dublin-theatre-turned-vaccination-centre-we-re-planning-for-5-000-people-a-day/> The vaccination centre was the work of collaboration between [[general practitioner]]s, [[Nursing in the Republic of Ireland|practice nurses]], [[medical student]]s, [[Order of Malta Ambulance Corps]], [[Order of Malta Ambulance Corps]], [[Department of Health (Ireland)|Department of Health]], [[Dublin City University]] and [[Dublin Airport]].<ref name=rte-helix-vaccine/>

The university routinely uses Mahony Hall as a graduation ceremony venue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Alan |date=2024-10-25 |title=Sophie Wallace from Raphoe among the DCU graduates at October Ceremony |url=https://www.donegallive.ie/news/east-donegal/1639625/sophie-wallace-from-raphoe-among-the-dcu-graduates-at-october-ceremony.html |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=www.donegallive.ie |language=en}}</ref>

==TV programmes== Many TV programmes have been broadcast from or recorded in The Helix.

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Programme ! Channel ! Years |- | ''[[You're a Star]]'' | [[RTÉ One]] | 2002–2008 |- | ''[[The Dunphy Show]]'' | [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] | 2003 |- | ''[[The Panel (Irish TV series)|The Panel]]'' | [[RTÉ2|Network 2]] | 2003 |- | ''Rip-Off Republic'' | [[RTÉ One]] | 2005 |- | ''[[Fame: The Musical (Irish TV series)|Fame: The Musical]]'' | [[RTÉ One]] | 2010 |- | ''[[Take Me Out (Irish game show)|Take Me Out]]'' | [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] | 2010–2013 |- | ''[[Family Fortunes (Irish TV series)|Family Fortunes]]'' | [[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]] | 2012–2014 |- | ''[[The Voice of Ireland]]'' | [[RTÉ One]] | 2012–2016 |- | ''[[Ireland's Got Talent]]'' | [[Virgin Media One]] | 2018–2019 |}

==Awards== * Irish Concrete Society Award – Building Category * Irish Joinery Award – Joinery of the Mahony Hall – 1st Prize * Plan Opus Building Awards Winner (2003) * Shortlisted for the Best Purpose-built Venue (2014)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.thehelix.ie}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Helix}} [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2002]] [[Category:Dublin City University]] [[Category:Glasnevin]] [[Category:Concert halls in the Republic of Ireland]] [[Category:Theatres in Dublin (city)]] [[Category:2002 establishments in Ireland]] [[Category:Music venues in Dublin (city)]] [[Category:21st-century architecture in the Republic of Ireland]]