Opened as White’s Palace in 1910 and became Barger’s Picture Palace four years later. It was enlarged in 1921 and a year later advertised for sale but failed to attract any buyers. It reopened as the Palace in 1923. The recent bingo operation closed in March 2013, along with the Milford Haven branch at the former Astoria, and it is unclear what the premises are being used for.
The Torch opened on 16 April 1977, although according to its website the first in-house production, Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking, was not staged until that November. It was designed by Monty Minter and cost £500,000 to build. The redevelopment, which included the studio theatre, was completed in 2008 and appears to have cost ten times what the original had. The studio has a “moat” feature which when unused reduces the seating to 83.
The Oscar reopened in October 1973 with admission prices advertised at 40p. More info here: http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2013/01/new_oscar_provides_newbridge_w.asp. One source states the 3 screens did not arrive until 1990. When it closed in 2006 the last films to show were King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia and Just Like Heaven. Michael Roycroft had made the decision some time previously in anticipation of the new cinema opening at the Whitewater Shopping Centre. Films are also shown at the Riverdale Arts Centre in Main Street once a week.
Was due to be auctioned off on 5.11.15 but according to reports appeared to be unsold as of April 2016. Maybe the hefty €1.75 million price tag has put developers off! Pictures of how it looks inside these days are at: http://www.dailyedge.ie/rathmines-stella-cinema-2682126-Mar2016/
The Phoenix opened in 1912 and closed in 1958 and was reportedly the first purpose-built cinema in Dublin. Photos here:
http://www.dublincity.ie/image/libraries/cin004-phoenix
http://www.dublincity.ie/image/libraries/cin003-phoenix
http://archiseek.com/2010/1912-phoenix-cinema-ellis-quay-dublin/
The “new” Metropole opened on 16 March 1972 (not 1964) and was renamed the Screen in the early 1980s. One source says 1980 another 1984, but more likely to be 1982 when three screens were created. The sculpture “Mr Screen” was made in 1988 by Vincent Browne. Staff were transferred to the Savoy after closure.
The original cinema was built in 1918 by two brothers John and James Houlihan. It was rebuilt twice, once in 1921 when destroyed by fire and again in 1938 when it was probably renamed Phoenix. During the rebuild vats were discovered under the ground believed to have been used in the tanning of leather in days gone by. It was also used as a dance hall and had a DVD rental shop at the front in more recent times. It has been reported that the original Italian projectors were run on energy provided by burning turf, but these days it has digital projection and Dolby sound. It was run by John Moore from the 1950s until 1979 when Michael O’Sullivan took over. He is remembered for introducing the Art Film Nights which are still running but he passed away in 2011. It is still a family-run business and is one of the main venues in the Dingle Film Festival. It currently seats 150 in stalls and balcony.
The Ritz was designed by John Bride McNeill, one of his few projects in the Republic, and completed in 1946. The Balor Theatre converted the building for their own use in 1982. Owners the Butt Hall Committee recently submitted plans to have it demolished but the council rejected these in 2015 and listed the building. As of now it is probably still empty.
A 20-minute film describing the cinema’s operation is at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPmhL5IAHoA. The cinema was reportedly the last in Ireland to go digital in 2014.
The “new” Astor was named in memory of the “old” Astor cinema in Lower O’Connell Street. It was run by the same family, the McNallys, whose aim was primarily to present continental films.
The Grand Central opened in November 1922 and was based in former Wesleyan Methodist Church of 1821 previously known as the Independent Chapel and later the Central Hall. The owner Paul Bernard had a new façade added in front of the old one. It closed at the end of October 1973 and the downstairs became shops, but the cinema reopened on the first floor as the 200-seat Central Studio the following April screening Day of the Jackal. It closed in 1990 following the opening of the new five-screen Savoy complex, but was reopened in August 1992 by the Savoy who stated that it was their “sixth” screen being across the road from their own building. It eventually closed in 2004 and the frontage was knocked down in 2007 for a new shopping development revealing the old church façade behind, which has been retained. Architectural buffs can see more building information at: http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LI®no=21512004
The 1500-seater was built on the site of a flour and grain store and opened on 19 December 1935 by Irish Cinemas with the ceremony performed by the local Mayor Mr J. Casey. The auditorium was in Moorish style and designed on the stadium principle. From the mid-1960s it became predominantly a live music venue with the likes of Roy Orbison, Tom Jones and Val Doonican appearing there. Eamonn Andrews also presented a quiz show at the venue. It closed briefly in February 1975 but was reopened in October that year by Tony O’Mara and P.J. Hayes. The last show to take place was the Tops of the Town final on 26 March 1988. It was replaced with a new five-screen Savoy complex which itself was demolished in 2005.
The Picture House opened in 1924 and was run by J. Finney. The opening film was The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Lon Chaney. It closed in 1956 and was demolished in 1974 for a new road link. This was Finney’s replacement for an earlier cinema on Kenlis Street which he converted from a roller-skating rink. Finney, who was a director of Irish Theatres died in the late 1930s.
The Astor opened in October 1939 and according to newspaper reports was very palatial although it did not appear to be a purpose-built cinema. It was later run in tandem with the Castle by Supreme Cinemas and although damaged by a bomb in the 1970s was reopened by someone called Hopkins. I am still trying to ascertain the date of closure but it was later opened as a children’s play centre, by a former social worker, with what appears to be a modified frontage.
The Pembroke Cinema opened about 1910 and was renamed Haggar’s after the outbreak of the Great War. Paddles appears to be still going.
Jayne Anderson and Sarah Kimpson opened the Astoria bar and restaurant in the former cinema on 2 October 2014.
Opened as White’s Palace in 1910 and became Barger’s Picture Palace four years later. It was enlarged in 1921 and a year later advertised for sale but failed to attract any buyers. It reopened as the Palace in 1923. The recent bingo operation closed in March 2013, along with the Milford Haven branch at the former Astoria, and it is unclear what the premises are being used for.
The Torch opened on 16 April 1977, although according to its website the first in-house production, Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking, was not staged until that November. It was designed by Monty Minter and cost £500,000 to build. The redevelopment, which included the studio theatre, was completed in 2008 and appears to have cost ten times what the original had. The studio has a “moat” feature which when unused reduces the seating to 83.
The Oscar reopened in October 1973 with admission prices advertised at 40p. More info here: http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2013/01/new_oscar_provides_newbridge_w.asp. One source states the 3 screens did not arrive until 1990. When it closed in 2006 the last films to show were King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia and Just Like Heaven. Michael Roycroft had made the decision some time previously in anticipation of the new cinema opening at the Whitewater Shopping Centre. Films are also shown at the Riverdale Arts Centre in Main Street once a week.
Was due to be auctioned off on 5.11.15 but according to reports appeared to be unsold as of April 2016. Maybe the hefty €1.75 million price tag has put developers off! Pictures of how it looks inside these days are at: http://www.dailyedge.ie/rathmines-stella-cinema-2682126-Mar2016/
The Phoenix opened in 1912 and closed in 1958 and was reportedly the first purpose-built cinema in Dublin. Photos here: http://www.dublincity.ie/image/libraries/cin004-phoenix http://www.dublincity.ie/image/libraries/cin003-phoenix http://archiseek.com/2010/1912-phoenix-cinema-ellis-quay-dublin/
According to Google Street View the property lies abandoned as of July 2014. The original frontage is no longer there.
The “new” Metropole opened on 16 March 1972 (not 1964) and was renamed the Screen in the early 1980s. One source says 1980 another 1984, but more likely to be 1982 when three screens were created. The sculpture “Mr Screen” was made in 1988 by Vincent Browne. Staff were transferred to the Savoy after closure.
The original cinema was built in 1918 by two brothers John and James Houlihan. It was rebuilt twice, once in 1921 when destroyed by fire and again in 1938 when it was probably renamed Phoenix. During the rebuild vats were discovered under the ground believed to have been used in the tanning of leather in days gone by. It was also used as a dance hall and had a DVD rental shop at the front in more recent times. It has been reported that the original Italian projectors were run on energy provided by burning turf, but these days it has digital projection and Dolby sound. It was run by John Moore from the 1950s until 1979 when Michael O’Sullivan took over. He is remembered for introducing the Art Film Nights which are still running but he passed away in 2011. It is still a family-run business and is one of the main venues in the Dingle Film Festival. It currently seats 150 in stalls and balcony.
Forgot to mention that McNeill’s client was William Barry.
The Ritz was designed by John Bride McNeill, one of his few projects in the Republic, and completed in 1946. The Balor Theatre converted the building for their own use in 1982. Owners the Butt Hall Committee recently submitted plans to have it demolished but the council rejected these in 2015 and listed the building. As of now it is probably still empty.
A 20-minute film describing the cinema’s operation is at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPmhL5IAHoA. The cinema was reportedly the last in Ireland to go digital in 2014.
The “new” Astor was named in memory of the “old” Astor cinema in Lower O’Connell Street. It was run by the same family, the McNallys, whose aim was primarily to present continental films.
The Tivoli opened with the comedy film The Cockeyed Cavaliers, the opening ceremony was carried out by Alderman P.J. Medlar.
The Grand Central opened in November 1922 and was based in former Wesleyan Methodist Church of 1821 previously known as the Independent Chapel and later the Central Hall. The owner Paul Bernard had a new façade added in front of the old one. It closed at the end of October 1973 and the downstairs became shops, but the cinema reopened on the first floor as the 200-seat Central Studio the following April screening Day of the Jackal. It closed in 1990 following the opening of the new five-screen Savoy complex, but was reopened in August 1992 by the Savoy who stated that it was their “sixth” screen being across the road from their own building. It eventually closed in 2004 and the frontage was knocked down in 2007 for a new shopping development revealing the old church façade behind, which has been retained. Architectural buffs can see more building information at: http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=LI®no=21512004
The 1500-seater was built on the site of a flour and grain store and opened on 19 December 1935 by Irish Cinemas with the ceremony performed by the local Mayor Mr J. Casey. The auditorium was in Moorish style and designed on the stadium principle. From the mid-1960s it became predominantly a live music venue with the likes of Roy Orbison, Tom Jones and Val Doonican appearing there. Eamonn Andrews also presented a quiz show at the venue. It closed briefly in February 1975 but was reopened in October that year by Tony O’Mara and P.J. Hayes. The last show to take place was the Tops of the Town final on 26 March 1988. It was replaced with a new five-screen Savoy complex which itself was demolished in 2005.
The Lyric closed on 28 August 1976 with Operation daybreak. The site remained vacant for over 25 years.
New photo added today.
Site is now Bellini’s Bar and Restaurant. Worth mentioning that the cinema was bombed in 1953 having shown a film about the Coronation.
Durham Advertiser at http://www.durhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/2292956.display/gives closing date as 4 December 1961. Perhaps this is THE David Simpson!
The Palace opened in 1912 and was a conversion of Black’s grocery shop.
The Picture House opened in 1924 and was run by J. Finney. The opening film was The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Lon Chaney. It closed in 1956 and was demolished in 1974 for a new road link. This was Finney’s replacement for an earlier cinema on Kenlis Street which he converted from a roller-skating rink. Finney, who was a director of Irish Theatres died in the late 1930s.
The Astor opened in October 1939 and according to newspaper reports was very palatial although it did not appear to be a purpose-built cinema. It was later run in tandem with the Castle by Supreme Cinemas and although damaged by a bomb in the 1970s was reopened by someone called Hopkins. I am still trying to ascertain the date of closure but it was later opened as a children’s play centre, by a former social worker, with what appears to be a modified frontage.
The Regina opened on 1 April 1957 with High Society. New photos as the Omniplex posted today.