Planning approved for Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness’s Dingle cinema plans
Yvonne McGuinness and Cillian Murphy, co-owners of the Phoenix cinema in Dingle.
Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness say they are “delighted” their plans to revive a Kerry cinema as an arts space have been approved.
Artist McGuinness and her Oscar-winning actor husband Murphy revealed an ambitious redevelopment plan after purchasing the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle in late 2024.
Their plans will retain the building as a cinema while expanding its use to include a multi-disciplinary performance space, exhibition and rehearsal areas, a bar, café, and restaurant, artist studios, and a redesigned courtyard.
Planning was initially granted by Kerry County Council but the future of the historic cinema moved into the hands of An Coimisiún Pleanála earlier this year following several third-party appeals by local residents.
In a statement today, the couple shared the news of their planning approval.
“Daingean Uí Chúis/Dingle has waited decades for an arts centre, and the Phoenix will provide a much-needed space for community to gather, create and celebrate the unique culture, heritage, and creativity of this special place,” they said.
“We’re excited about the opportunities this space will create for both the people of Dingle and the wider Irish arts community.”
They added that they also submitted a Category 1 Rural Regeneration Development Fund application to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta) with Kerry County Council as lead partner. They thanked the local authority for its support, and shared their gratitude to all involved so far.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. We look forward to the next chapter as we work together to bring this vision to life.”
Murphy and McGuinness are long associated with the west Kerry Gaeltacht. The Cork actor’s parents holidayed in the area for decades and he now spends extended periods there with his own family.
McGuinness said the aim is to reopen the doors and broaden the venue’s creative potential, restoring its place at the heart of the town’s cultural life.
The Phoenix was destroyed by fire in 1921 and again in 1938 but was rebuilt on both occasions by the Houlihan family, inspiring its name.
Before its closure during the covid pandemic, the cinema served the west Kerry community for over 100 years, having become a social and cultural hub, hosting drama, concerts and dances, and later welcoming showbands and performers including Rory Gallagher and Dana. Murphy himself also visited the cinema in 2010 for a screening of his film
