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.
I think the film was actually the Greatest Question. The nightclub has now closed and the store is Golden Discs. Some ceiling work of the cinema can be seen in Delia’s flower shop down the side passage.
Definitely the same building although the inside has been stripped and has nothing of cinematic interest. Scaffolding was up on the outside just recently so maybe a facelift is imminent. It opened on 9 September 1913 with 700 seats in stadium plan. Closed with the Man in the Iron Mask on 4 April 1964. Used as a sorting office after closure but now as stated is a bowling alley and amusement centre.
Opened on 1 November 1920 and closed by a fire started by the Black & Tans a month later. Reopened 22 September 1921. Run by Madge O’Regan and Mrs Julia Scraggs and had 450 seats. Talkies arrived in December 1929. Sold to Abbey Films 1950s run by Leo Ward & Kevin Anderson. Closed 8 April 1972. Relaunched in the upstairs after downsizing showing Cabaret on 19 November 1972, but closed again in August 1989. Ground floor now amusements centre called Casino with newsagent at the front. Upstairs said to be empty.
The Everyman was originally Dan Lowery’s Music Hall but a permanent cinema from 1930. It screened its last film Planes Trains and Automobiles on 4 June 1988. It is now a theatre.
The Coliseum opened on 15 February 1940 with Batchelor Mother and closed with Lust for a Vampire on 8 August 1972. The 750-seater was owned by the Kelly Family who sold it to Modern Irish Theatres and it reopened on 1 September 1972 with the Dirty Dozen. It was remodelled in the early 1980s to incorporate a shopping mall and eventually closed on 8 February 2007 with Goal 2 and Infamous. The cinema is now occupied by the Church on Main Street who have been there since 2008. Films are still shown once a month in the 168-seat screen. Information from an article by James Durney. More history at http://www.kildare.ie/ehistory/index.php/naas-cinemas-the-coliseum/ and http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2012/08/naas_cinemas_the_dara.asp
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.
I think the film was actually the Greatest Question. The nightclub has now closed and the store is Golden Discs. Some ceiling work of the cinema can be seen in Delia’s flower shop down the side passage.
Definitely the same building although the inside has been stripped and has nothing of cinematic interest. Scaffolding was up on the outside just recently so maybe a facelift is imminent. It opened on 9 September 1913 with 700 seats in stadium plan. Closed with the Man in the Iron Mask on 4 April 1964. Used as a sorting office after closure but now as stated is a bowling alley and amusement centre.
Opened on 1 November 1920 and closed by a fire started by the Black & Tans a month later. Reopened 22 September 1921. Run by Madge O’Regan and Mrs Julia Scraggs and had 450 seats. Talkies arrived in December 1929. Sold to Abbey Films 1950s run by Leo Ward & Kevin Anderson. Closed 8 April 1972. Relaunched in the upstairs after downsizing showing Cabaret on 19 November 1972, but closed again in August 1989. Ground floor now amusements centre called Casino with newsagent at the front. Upstairs said to be empty.
Building is at Washington Street West, 21 Washington Street is a bar.
New photo added today of the mall.
The Savoy closed on 1 February 1975 with the Towering Inferno, with guests from the cast of Upstairs Downstairs in attendance for some reason.
The Everyman was originally Dan Lowery’s Music Hall but a permanent cinema from 1930. It screened its last film Planes Trains and Automobiles on 4 June 1988. It is now a theatre.
The former auditorium has been embraced rather than covered over. New photo of proscenium uploaded.
The live venue appears to have closed and bingo is back again. The foyer is now a Chinese restaurant. New photo uploaded.
The Coliseum opened on 15 February 1940 with Batchelor Mother and closed with Lust for a Vampire on 8 August 1972. The 750-seater was owned by the Kelly Family who sold it to Modern Irish Theatres and it reopened on 1 September 1972 with the Dirty Dozen. It was remodelled in the early 1980s to incorporate a shopping mall and eventually closed on 8 February 2007 with Goal 2 and Infamous. The cinema is now occupied by the Church on Main Street who have been there since 2008. Films are still shown once a month in the 168-seat screen. Information from an article by James Durney. More history at http://www.kildare.ie/ehistory/index.php/naas-cinemas-the-coliseum/ and http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2012/08/naas_cinemas_the_dara.asp