A scene in Sherlock Holmes drama Mr Holmes was filmed in the Pavilion; Ian McKellen sat in seat F15 FYI. More info here: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11374953.hailsham-pavilion-to-star-in-new-sherlock-holmes-film/
Put up for sale in 1972 by owners John Finnegan and Bertie McSweeney. Reopened by Billy McSwiney in December 1974 with 260 seats. Final closure date not established.
The Picture House was a conversion of the Royal Assembly Hall and opened on 31 October 1912. Films shown on the night included the Relief of Lucknow. It was later known as ‘Miller’s’.
Opened December 1945 and run by Messrs Kelly & Egan. This gave the town its second “cinema” as films were also shown at the time in the Agricultural Hall by Thomas White
The fire referred to was in March 1948 with cinema reopening 28 January 1949 showing The Virginian. Seating given as 700 (balcony 200, stalls 300, pit 200) with the architect as Pat Digby.
There are ads for the “Irvinestown” Cinema as early as 1945 and with the same phone number (Tel. 242) so it is highly likely this was the same business.
The cinema is now run by The Arc Cinema but still trades under Empire Movieplex. It reopened in June 2021 presumably having been refurbished by the new owners. It was previously owned by the Galvin family with the Empire company having been set up in April 1996, therefore I would imagine the original opening date was pretty close to that. Cinema is at 36 Parnell Street, V95 YX8F.
The cinema has a specially commissioned mural by artist Dale Lewis representing not only famous characters from the past, but figures who represent the many communities that live in the area today. Emmeline Pankhurst is featured along with Bob Marley who played at the Rainbow Theatre in the 1970s.
The cinema had opened by July 1931, taken over by the Roscrea & Athy Cinema Company and reopened on 29 June 1937 after a short spell of closure for upgrading. Final closure planned for end of February 1976.
The cinema opened 27 March 1932 with ‘Condemned’ starring Ronald Coleman. In use as a bingo hall during mid-1970s. Proprietor Patrick Delahunty of the New Cinema in Thurles.
Capitol opened 7 February 1949, the first Question Time for Radio Eirann was broadcast from here the following week. Seating for 1,100 (208 balcony, 500 parterre and 400 front of parterre). Suitable for stage shows. Architect William Dwyer. Proprietors Capitol Cinemas directors Mr P. Farrell and Mr P. McGrath.
The New Cinema was located on Slievenamon Road and opened in 1924. It regularly advertised in the press from March 1925. Limerick Operatic Society performed here in 1927. Mr Delahunty was proud to announce the first talkie would be screened on 12 January 1930 which was Show Boat. It closed at the end of August 1977 with ‘101 Dalmations’ after 53 years. The site was earmarked for a car showroom. The New was ‘the wan below’ while the Capitol in the town was ‘the wan above.’
Opened 19 December 1944 with ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Operated by Tailteann Theatres, the company’s third cinema after the Savoys at Kells and Rush. Closed June 1974 reopened as the Europa 9 August 1974 with 800 seats, closed 1977.
The 2018 half-centenary, QFT50, included a screening of Brigitte Bardot movie Viva Maria! – the first ever film to screen at the cinema.
A scene in Sherlock Holmes drama Mr Holmes was filmed in the Pavilion; Ian McKellen sat in seat F15 FYI. More info here: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11374953.hailsham-pavilion-to-star-in-new-sherlock-holmes-film/
Looks like a series of reopenings with Mr O’Connell running the show from 23 December 1920.
Picture House was gutted by fire 19 December 1961, owned at the time by Mr N Donaghy. Obviously a lot of fires about!
Put up for sale in 1972 by owners John Finnegan and Bertie McSweeney. Reopened by Billy McSwiney in December 1974 with 260 seats. Final closure date not established.
Opened on 7 May 1945, press adverts for bazaars in 1963.
The Picture House was a conversion of the Royal Assembly Hall and opened on 31 October 1912. Films shown on the night included the Relief of Lucknow. It was later known as ‘Miller’s’.
Must have closed again in the early-1980s as a further reopening date with the same name is given as 1 December 1983 with a showing of Rocky III.
After a lengthy construction the cinema eventually opened on 18 April 1948 with Leave Her to Heaven.
Expected to open 3 November 1946 with proceeds going to St Vincent de Paul Society.
Opened December 1945 and run by Messrs Kelly & Egan. This gave the town its second “cinema” as films were also shown at the time in the Agricultural Hall by Thomas White
The fire referred to was in March 1948 with cinema reopening 28 January 1949 showing The Virginian. Seating given as 700 (balcony 200, stalls 300, pit 200) with the architect as Pat Digby.
Original opening date revealed as 30 November 1919. Up for sale at auction in May 1923 including the cars.
According to the press this cinema was expected to be open by 1 October 1919 the same year Charlie Chaplin paid a visit.
Reopening date given in the press as 19 February 1978.
There are ads for the “Irvinestown” Cinema as early as 1945 and with the same phone number (Tel. 242) so it is highly likely this was the same business.
The cinema is now run by The Arc Cinema but still trades under Empire Movieplex. It reopened in June 2021 presumably having been refurbished by the new owners. It was previously owned by the Galvin family with the Empire company having been set up in April 1996, therefore I would imagine the original opening date was pretty close to that. Cinema is at 36 Parnell Street, V95 YX8F.
The cinema has a specially commissioned mural by artist Dale Lewis representing not only famous characters from the past, but figures who represent the many communities that live in the area today. Emmeline Pankhurst is featured along with Bob Marley who played at the Rainbow Theatre in the 1970s.
First reference in the press 1956, last 1965.
The cinema had opened by July 1931, taken over by the Roscrea & Athy Cinema Company and reopened on 29 June 1937 after a short spell of closure for upgrading. Final closure planned for end of February 1976.
The cinema opened 27 March 1932 with ‘Condemned’ starring Ronald Coleman. In use as a bingo hall during mid-1970s. Proprietor Patrick Delahunty of the New Cinema in Thurles.
Capitol opened 7 February 1949, the first Question Time for Radio Eirann was broadcast from here the following week. Seating for 1,100 (208 balcony, 500 parterre and 400 front of parterre). Suitable for stage shows. Architect William Dwyer. Proprietors Capitol Cinemas directors Mr P. Farrell and Mr P. McGrath.
The New Cinema was located on Slievenamon Road and opened in 1924. It regularly advertised in the press from March 1925. Limerick Operatic Society performed here in 1927. Mr Delahunty was proud to announce the first talkie would be screened on 12 January 1930 which was Show Boat. It closed at the end of August 1977 with ‘101 Dalmations’ after 53 years. The site was earmarked for a car showroom. The New was ‘the wan below’ while the Capitol in the town was ‘the wan above.’
Opened 27 January 1919 with ‘Rafferty’s Rise’. Raided by police on 16 April 1919 who seized a copy of the Sinn Fein Review.
Opened 19 December 1944 with ‘Phantom of the Opera’. Operated by Tailteann Theatres, the company’s third cinema after the Savoys at Kells and Rush. Closed June 1974 reopened as the Europa 9 August 1974 with 800 seats, closed 1977.