Plans unveiled for revamp of Dingle cinema bought by Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness
Members of the public at the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle examining an early model of the proposed redevelopment at the consultation session on Saturday. Picture: Manuela Dei Grandi
The developers behind the proposed arts centre for the former Phoenix Cinema in Dingle unveiled a preliminary design for the new venue at a meeting in the Co Kerry town at the weekend.
Yvonne McGuinness, who had purchased the premises in 2024 with her husband, actor Cillian Murphy, was joined by planning consultant Laura Brock and architect Andrew Clancy in the second of a series of three public meetings they are hosting at the Phoenix.
This ‘sketching’ phase of the consultations had an almost-full cinema witness the unveiling of a potential model for the new venue, and a discussion of its possible uses.
The ambitious plans for the approximately one-acre site include the addition of building of similar height next to the existing three-story cinema, the enhancement of the outdoor courtyard area, and the creation of exhibition and rehearsal spaces, as well as several residential studios for artists.
The current main cinema area would be transformed into a state-of-the-art performance space with removable seating that would allow for films and theatre performances, as a well as music gigs.
“We are building less than what a commercial developer would, but we're building a good bit more than what Cillian and Yvonne would have ever envisaged at the start,” said Mr Clancy, a director at Dublin-based Clancy Moore Architects.
No budget was mentioned for what would likely be a multi-year, multimillion euro project, but those involved in the development are mindful of trying to ensure the planning process is as streamlined as possible.
Ms McGuinness — a respected artist who has a house in the area — and her team are aiming to have their plans for the venue finalised in the coming months to avail of regeneration grants being awarded in spring 2026.
The current co-owner urged local people in Dingle to engage with the development team as early as possible to identify any potential issues. “I’ve done a postcard drop. I've called into every street around here myself,” said Ms McGuinness of efforts to spread the word on their proposals.
The final instalment of the local consultation sessions will take place near the end of September when more-detailed plans will be presented.
The early proposals at the Saturday meeting seemed to be warmly received by attendees at the Phoenix, with issues raised such as the lack of facilities for the youth of the town, and the need for the building to be accessible for the elderly and people with disabilities.
The architect confirmed the proposed new building would have a lift, and that upstairs rooms would be accessible and available for local organisations to avail of.
Mr Clancy also outlined the sustainable ethos of the new premises, with heat pumps as the primary source of heating, as well as the use of materials such as Irish timber, and low-carbon forms of cladding.
The Phoenix had been put on the market by previous owners, the O’Sullivan family, after its closure during the first Covid lockdown in November 2021.
It had operated as a cinema and entertainment venue for over 100 years, being reborn twice after fires — hence the name ‘Phoenix’.
Cillian Murphy himself had visited the cinema in 2010 for a screening of his film Perrier's Bounty, and other luminaries who have appeared at the venue include Rory Gallagher, who played there with the Fontana showband in 1964.
