Mutliplex trend threatening regional cinemas

Regional cinemas are under threat from multiplex venues in large urban areas, according to a new report released today in association with the 49th Cork Film Festival.

Although the number of screens in Ireland increased by 10% in the 10 years up to 2001, the actual number of individual cinemas has dropped.

The report, titled The Cultural and Economic Trends of Cinema in Ireland and Wales, also shows Irish people go to the cinema on average 4.5 times a year.

Our cinema audiences are among the highest in Europe, second only to Iceland. Half of all Irish cinema admissions are in Dublin.

However, less than 10% of the 64 cinemas in Ireland offer specialist or cultural programmes.