The Helix

What The Helix does

The Helix is a multi-purpose live entertainment and events venue located on the Dublin City University (DCU) campus in Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland, operating under the legal entity UAC Management DAC since its inauguration in October 2002. The venue comprises three distinct auditoria totaling more than 1,800 seats: the 1,200-seat Mahony Hall (the primary orchestral space), the 450-seat Theatre, and the 150-seat Studio for intimate programming. It serves three customer segments: individual consumers attending ticketed live entertainment (concerts, musicals, tribute shows, comedy, and orchestral performances), corporate clients hiring the venue for conferences, meetings, product launches, and gala events, and educational institutions including DCU students and faculty.

The underlying platform is a venue-rental and event-production infrastructure with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and AV systems, a purpose-built accessibility infrastructure (infra-red hearing loop, wheelchair accommodation, adapted toilets), and an integrated box office and ticketing system run on Ticketsolve across online, telephone, and in-person channels. The supporting service layer includes technical production support, on-site catering and a café bar (anchored by a Java Republic coffee partnership), gift vouchers, and in-house marketing support for promoted events.

The business model combines four revenue streams: per-ticket transaction revenue on performances (typical ticket prices €12-€35 plus booking fees), one-time venue-hire fees for corporate and private events across the three auditoria, transactional catering and café-bar revenue, and gift voucher sales (valid five years). Tickets are sold direct-to-consumer via the box office and self-serve online, while venue hire is sold via a dedicated direct sales team. Programming is a hybrid model combining the venue's own booking of performances and partnerships with external promoters (e.g., Sean Gilligan Performing Arts, MLM Concerts Europe Ltd, Showplanr Ltd, Irish Video Game Orchestra) who supply content and demand-side marketing. Marketing reach is built across owned digital channels (website, newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube). The venue was established with an explicit self-sufficiency mandate, operating without DCU or public subsidies.

Name

The Helix

Legal name

UAC Management DAC

Website

https://thehelix.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Helix is a multi-purpose Dublin venue operating three auditoria (1,800+ seats total) for concerts, musicals, tribute shows, and corporate events, serving individual consumers, corporate clients, and educational institutions since 2002.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Music Venues & Venue Operators (Clubs, Theaters, Arenas) (MPAIAFAB), Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD)

Keywords

• Live performance venue
• Event hosting services
• Corporate conferencing
• Theatrical productions
• Concert venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasnevin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for performances, concerts, and theatrical productions across the venue's three auditoria. Tickets are sold online, via telephone box office, and in person.
2. Venue Hire: Rental of versatile spaces including Mahony Hall (1,200 seats), The Theatre (450 seats), and The Space for conferences, corporate events, performances, and private functions.
3. Catering and Café Bar Services: On-site catering services for events including formal tastings, themed menus, wine pairings, and buffet services. The café bar serves coffee roasted locally by Java Republic along with food and beverages.
4. Gift Vouchers: Sale of gift vouchers valid for ticket purchases through the venue's ticketing system, valid for five years from purchase date.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Helix operates a multi-purpose performance venue on the Dublin City University campus comprising three auditoria — The Mahony Hall (1,200 seats), The Theatre (450 seats), and The Studio (150 seats) — and rents these spaces to promoters, corporate clients, and community organisations for concerts, theatrical productions, conferences, and private events. The venue is supported by integrated services including event catering, a café bar, ticketing, technical production support, and marketing assistance for hirers and promoters.

Product overview

The Helix is a multi-purpose entertainment venue at Dublin City University operating as a platform of distinct event spaces and services. The core offering consists of three distinct auditoria: The Mahony Hall (1,200 seats) for large-scale concerts and productions, The Theatre (450 seats) for mid-scale performances, and The Studio (150 seats) for intimate events. These venue spaces are complemented by supporting services including Conference & Events services for corporate gatherings, Performance & Programming for live entertainment, Café Bar for hospitality, Event Catering for bespoke dining, Technical Services for AV and production support, Box Office ticketing, and Marketing support. The portfolio operates as an integrated venue-rental platform where hirers book spaces alongside optional add-on services for a complete event experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Mahony Hall The venue's primary 1,200-seat orchestral hall featuring exceptional acoustics designed for world-class classical music performances and a broad sweep of arts and entertainment. Available for hire for large-scale concerts, orchestral performances, and major productions.
• The Theatre A 450-seat performance space used for theatrical productions, concerts, and events, featuring cutting-edge facilities and adaptable configurations. Available for hire for mid-scale performances and corporate events.
• The Studio An intimate 150-seat venue space suitable for smaller scale productions, workshops, and community events. Available for hire for intimate performances and small group functions.
• Conference & Events Services Corporate event hosting services including state-of-the-art facilities, versatile spaces, and personalised service for conferences, meetings, and business gatherings. Targeted at businesses and organisations needing professional event venues.
• Performance & Programming Booking and hosting of live performances including concerts, theatrical productions, musicals, and comedy shows with cutting-edge facilities and comprehensive production support. Targeted at promoters and production companies staging live entertainment events.
• The Helix Café Bar On-site café and bar service offering freshly brewed coffee from Java Republic, fresh pastries, gourmet cakes, sandwiches, and light snacks for venue visitors before performances and during intervals.
• Event Catering Bespoke catering services for conferences and events including buffet lunches, dinners, champagne receptions, formal tastings, themed menus, wine pairings, and restricted dietary menu selections for venue hirers and event attendees.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dublin City University (DCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Helix is located on the DCU campus in Glasnevin, Dublin. The venue was initially conceived to provide a cultural center for the DCU campus and the wider community. DCU remains the hosting institution for the venue, which was inaugurated in October 2002.
• Sean Gilligan Performing ArtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPromoter producing 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - The Musical' at The Helix in August 2026. The promoter handles ticket distribution for their production.
• MLM Concerts Europe LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConcert promoter producing 'Go Your Own Way - The Ultimate Tribute To Fleetwood Mac' at The Helix. Handles promotion and ticketing for the tribute show.
• Showplanr LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent promoter producing the 'Country Superstars Theatre Tour - Dolly Parton and Friends Tribute Show' at The Helix.
• Irish Video Game OrchestraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMusic ensemble producing 'The Adventure Continues' video game music concert at The Helix. Self-promoted performance featuring orchestral video game music.
• Java RepublicminorOthersLocal coffee roaster providing freshly roasted coffee for The Helix Café Bar. Coffee is roasted at Java Republic's roastery in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15.
• TicketsolvecoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party ticketing software provider powering The Helix's online box office. Manages ticket sales, gift vouchers, and event ticketing across online and physical channels.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• SSE Arena Belfast: Belfast's primary arena and concert venue (~15,000 capacity). Operates in a similar multi-purpose capacity but serves Northern Ireland rather than directly competing with The Helix in Dublin.

Direct peers

• 3Arena: Dublin's largest indoor arena with 13,000 capacity, operated by Live Nation. Directly competes with The Helix for concert promoters' routing decisions and represents the upper end of Dublin's live music venue scale.
• National Concert Hall: Dublin's primary classical music venue with ~1,200 seats in the main auditorium. Directly comparable to Mahony Hall for orchestral performances and similar acoustic-quality programming, serving the same Dublin audience.
• Gaiety Theatre: Dublin's oldest operating theater with ~1,000 seats, hosting musicals, plays, and pantomime. Comparable venue targeting similar theatrical programming and family entertainment audiences in Dublin.
• Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: Dublin's flagship 2,000-seat theater located in the Grand Canal Dock. Operates as a comparable mid-to-large scale live performance and conference venue serving the same Dublin market with overlapping musical, theatrical, and corporate event programming.
• Vicar Street: A 1,500-capacity Dublin music venue in the city center. Closely comparable in size and programming mix to The Helix, frequently hosting similar concert and comedy acts for overlapping audiences.
• Olympia Theatre: Historic 1,240-seat Dublin theater on Dame Street hosting concerts, musicals, and comedy. Comparable mid-size live entertainment venue competing for similar touring productions in the Dublin market.

Broad incumbents

• Ambassador Theatre Group: Major UK-based theater and venue operator (owned by ATG Entertainment). Operates a portfolio of comparable mid-to-large scale performance venues, providing a reference point for multi-site venue operator business models.
• Live Nation Entertainment: Global live entertainment conglomerate operating venues, promoting concerts, and managing ticketing worldwide. 3Arena (direct Dublin competitor) is operated by Live Nation, making the parent company a key counterparty and benchmark for venue-promoter economics.
• ASM Global: World's largest venue management company operating 350+ arenas, stadiums, and theaters globally. Comparable venue management and operations expertise applied at a much larger scale, with potential strategic relevance for The Helix's expansion plans.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheHelixDublin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thehelixdublin
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHelixDublin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-helix/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/thehelixvenue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Helix