Dublin is a city well known for its association with the arts. Throughout history it has been home to many world-renowned authors, poets and playwrights, such as WB Yeats, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and Jonathon Swift to name only a few. But what would be the point of authors and playwrights if we had no theatres to perform, read, and spread their work to the public? This multi cache will take you around four of Dublin City’s nicest, most attractive, and most historically significant theatres.
The total walk from start to finish will take about an hour, including a 5-10 minute walk from Stage 4 to the final co-ordinates, and the total distance to walk is about 4 kilometres (this is reflected in the difficulty rating; the cache itself is not hard to find). Below is a suggested trail to follow if you want to do the stages in order in one go, but there are of course lots of ways to go about completing it. Break a leg 
Stage 1: The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
N 53 20.633 W 006 14.312
The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (originally called the Grand Canal Theatre) is the crowning jewel of Dublin theatres. Opened in 2010, it lacks the history of some of Dublin’s older theatres but makes up for its youth with its size, beauty, location and grandeur. It is positioned beside the Grand Canal Docks and was designed by Daniel Libeskind, with a large foyer and a classic three-tier auditorium. It can hold up to 2111 people, making it the largest theatre in Ireland. It was designed in order to host touring productions of musicals, ballets, operas and concerts that were previously unable to visit Dublin due to a lack of suitable venues. In the five years since it opened it has hosted a number of large-scale touring shows, such as Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Swan Lake, to name only a few. Apologies for the fact that this theatre is fairly far away from the other three, but it would be a crime not to include it!
A) Standing at the given coordinates you will see several clusters of tall red poles. In total, counting all of the clusters (check behind you too!) how many poles can you see? Number of poles = A
B) Sit on the grey bench at the given coordinates facing towards the theatre. Directly in front of you, you will see a green metal bench shaped a bit like a cuboid. How many screws do you see in the vertical side of it that is facing towards you? (Do not count the four screws that are on the upright part. If you are not sure whether you are looking at the right bench check the photo provided.) Number of screws = B
Stage 2: The Gaiety Theatre
N 53 20.410 W006 15.685
The Gaiety is one of Dublin’s oldest theatres (and is the oldest Dublin theatre that has been continuously producing since its opening). It was designed by CJ Phipps and opened in 1871. For many years it was the home of most major local and touring productions prior to the opening of larger venues such as the Point and the Grand Canal Theatre. Its most notable event was perhaps the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, the first to be hosted by Ireland. Despite its age the theatre has managed to retain its Victorian charm and beauty, and is without doubt one of Dublin’s most picturesque theatres. Today it still hosts many smaller productions; the theatre is especially known for its annual Christmas pantomime.
C) There are a number of beams sticking out at 90 degree angles from the building. Each of these beams is decorated with golden theatrical masks. What is the total number of masks you get when you add up all the masks on all of these beams? (Do NOT count the front and back of each mask as two separate masks. One structure = one mask.) Number of masks = C
D) Stand at the red door furthest to your left-hand side as you face towards the road. Above this door is a number of golden three-pronged spikes. How many spikes are there above this door? Number of spikes = D
E) On the ground in front of the theatre, there are a number of bronze handprints from stars who have performed in the theatre. Look at the one furthest to your left as you face towards the road. How many letters are in the person’s first name? Number of letters = E
Stage 3: The Olympia Theatre
N 53 20.655 W 006 15.970
The Olympia opened in 1879, only 8 years after the Gaiety. It ran successfully as a concert and drama venue until 1974 when it was closed due to parts of the building collapsing. With the help of a restoration fund the theatre was restored and it reopened its doors in 1977. Today it is most commonly used as a concert venue and has hosted famous names such as Adele, The Script and the Kaiser Chiefs. The theatre is also known for its annual Christmas pantomime, similar to the Gaiety.
F) Stand underneath the theatre’s awning. Go to the side closest to Jules Restaurant (your right-hand side as you look out at the road). Look upwards. There is a red metal pillar running through the awning at a 90 degree angle to the wall. How many star-shaped holes are in the pillar? (Include the partly cut-off one closest to the wall, and make sure to use the pillar closest to the right as the other one on the left has a different number). Number of stars = F
G) To the right of the awning you will see a large red sign that says ‘The Olympia Theatre Ticket Office’ and a phone number. How many masks can you see on this sign? Number of masks = G
Stage 4: The Abbey Theatre
N 53 20.915 W 006 15.455
The Abbey Theatre, also known as the National Theatre of Ireland, was opened in 1904. It was founded by Lady Gregory, WB Yeats and Edward Martyn, all of whom were heavily involved in the Irish Literary Revival, which was part of a movement to revive interest in Ireland’s culture and heritage during a time when Ireland was ruled over by the British. The Abbey staged many performances and plays written by prominent nationalist activists, such as WB Yeats, Lady Gregory and many others. The original building was destroyed in a fire in 1951 but it was soon rebuilt and remains active to this day, and is still predominately associated with Irish playwrights and productions.
H) At the right-hand side of the building (looking out at the road) there are several diagonal wires attaching a glass rain-shelter to the wall. How many wires are there? Number of wires = H
I) Stand to the right-hand side of the building (looking at the road), at the part of the wall behind the bin and the bike rail. Look up at the floodlight closest to the pillars jutting out. There is a number hand-written on the side of the floodlight. What number is it? This number = I
When you have collected your answers put them into this equation to find the final co-ordinates:
N 53 (I+G) . (A/2) ((C-E)-2) W 006 (B+(H/2)) . ((F-D)+2) (I-F) (A/G)
Congratulations to bohstom for getting FTF!