Dingle’s iconic Phoenix Cinema to close permanently

The Phoenix Cinema in Dingle. Picture: Phoenix Cinema/Facebook

Dingle’s iconic Phoenix Cinema is to close its doors after “many great years of operation”.

The 150-seater was one of the last single-screen cinemas in Ireland and was run by the O'Sullivan family. 

The owners posted the news on their website, saying the decision to close had been a difficult one.

“Our deepest thanks to all our loyal patrons, both local and visitors, many of whom became personal friends. It was always a pleasure to serve you,” read a statement.

“To our former staff who helped us over the years: Thank you all so much.” 

The cinema offered film fans “an eclectic mix of new Hollywood releases as well as independent and foreign-language films”.

Only last June, the cinema was ranked at 48 in a list of the UK and Ireland’s top 50 cinemas by entertainment magazine Time Out.

The Phoenix was hailed as “the most westerly cinema in the British Isles – and possibly its most friendly. It’s the kind of place where you’ll get a warm welcome on the way in and a thank you on the way out”.

The piece added that you could tell the cinema was run by a family of “film nuts” who “charge €8.50 for an evening screening but would probably let everyone in for free if it was remotely viable”.

Heartbroken to hear of the closure of Dingle's Phoenix Cinema, where we enjoyed many a great screening. Feels so unfair that the impacts of Covid are so unevenly distributed. Some businesses are unaffected or enhanced, while others are lost forever through no fault of their own. pic.twitter.com/mlqgbY87U1

— Ross Whitaker (@rosswhitakertv) November 15, 2021

 

The news has been greeted with sadness with many on social media saying the Phoenix would be missed.

One punter said he was “heartbroken” to hear of the cinema’s closure.

“Feels so unfair that the impacts of Covid are so unevenly distributed.” 

Another added it was “another example of the soul being seeped from the country life”.

It was famed for the Tuesday night film club, where biscuits and tea were common.

When news of the announcement was made on the cinema's Facebook page, the venue was hailed as a “gem” and a place where “fantastic memories” were made.

"The Phoenix cinema has been such a pleasant place to go over the years - especially the cinema club - seeing special films in a special atmosphere," said one well-wisher. "Wishing the O'Sullivan family well and thank you for your dedication to the screen all these years."

Another stated: "I only visit Dingle once a year but the Tuesday night film club was an essential component of every visit, even back to when there used to be an introduction. 

"It's very, very sad news and the loss of an all-weather facility, which also catered for kids, will hurt Dingle. I hope you change your minds but, if not, thanks and best wishes for the future."

Another added: "I've so many happy memories of all the films I've watched there, having the chat with all the O'Sullivans on the way in, Michael's legendary introductions to the film club showings. Dingle has lost a gem."