Carmen - Opera at Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Bizet’s Carmen is the world’s most performed opera, passionate and dramatic, and full of music you’ll recognise immediately even if you’ve never seen it staged. This Irish National Opera production runs at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre across four performances from Monday, 2 November to Saturday, 7 November 2026, all at 7:30pm.

What to expect

Carmen tells the story of the free-spirited Roma woman and the soldier Don Jose who falls fatally in love with her, set against smugglers, soldiers and a bullring in southern Spain. The production is sung in French with English surtitles, so it is easy to follow even if this is your first opera. Doors open one hour before each performance, and running time was still to be confirmed at the time of checking, so it’s worth allowing extra time either side of the 7:30pm start. The show carries a content notice for strobe lighting, flashing lights, smoke and haze. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or over, and children under 3 are not permitted in the auditorium, so this one suits older children and adults rather than a family night out with younger kids.

Getting there

The Bord Gais Energy Theatre is on Grand Canal Square in the Docklands, Dublin 2. The venue is all-seated, so every ticket comes with a fixed view of the stage rather than standing room.

While you’re in Dublin

Grand Canal Square and the surrounding Docklands have plenty of bars and restaurants for a pre- or post-show meal, with the theatre itself a striking piece of architecture worth arriving early to see. There is more to see across Co. Dublin.

Good to know

• Monday 2, Wednesday 4, Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November 2026, all at 7:30pm, doors one hour before

• Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2

• Price from €24.75

• Booking: via the Bord Gais Energy Theatre

• Details from the Bord Gais Energy Theatre official show page, checked 14 September 2026