Irish movie fans just can’t get enough of silver screen

IRISH cinema-goers are breaking box-office records, according to new research. Dublin admissions are the highest in Europe per head of population as a blockbusting experience of the past decade continues for the cinema industry in Ireland.

Research reveals people go to the cinema on average eight times per month in Dublin.

On average, throughout the Republic of Ireland, admissions stand at 4.4% per capita compared to 2.2% across Europe and 2.9% in Britain.

Cinema admissions for 2003 in the Republic of Ireland, up to the end of November, were 15,802,105, a slight increase of 0.2% over 2002.

However, the final film in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy Return of the King was expected to give a further boost to audience figures. Worldwide, the film has already grossed close to €400 million.

An industry magazine Screen International claimed Britain and Ireland experienced cinema attendance slump in 2003 due to the sweltering summer and the shortage of good films.

But an Irish source insisted yesterday: "The figures are incorrect. Ireland is bucking the trend in cinema attendances. In the 10-year period to the end of 2002, admissions in Ireland climbed by a staggering 108%.

"To lump Ireland in with Britain had huge implications and is a misrepresentation of the Irish cinema figures," the source added.

In the film industry, however, Britain and Ireland is regarded as a single territory.

However, despite having less than 10% of the population within the 'territory' known as Britain and Ireland, Irish cinema-goers accounted for more than 20% of the bums on seats last year.

Until the end of November, the number one film at the Irish box office was Disney animation Finding Nemo which brought in over €4.35m.

It was one of a number of titles handled by Buena Vista International Ireland which distributed five of the top 10 attractions in Ireland in 2003. The others included Veronica Guerin, Bruce Almighty, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Intermission, starring Colin Farrell.

Marketing and publicity director Trish Long said over the last 10 years, BVI Ireland was responsible for the most diverse range of films in the Irish industry.