The Abbey Theatre will move from its current location, the Minister for the Arts said yesterday.
As speculation continued about the future of the National Theatre, Mr O'Donoghue for the first time ruled out the redevelopment of the existing Abbey Street site, saying this option would cost an estimated €50 million.
The Minister, however, refused to be drawn on where the theatre would be relocated. The Office of Public Works has shortlisted three Dublin city-centre sites but Mr O'Donoghue declined to reveal the locations "for reasons of commercial sensitivity".