Nearly €1 million in funding granted to restore Cillian Murphy’s Dingle cinema

Some wholesome news this Monday...

Some wholesome news this Monday as €933,000 of Rural Regeneration Funding has been put into The Phoenix Cinema.

The historic cinema was one of the only family-owned cinemas still operating in the country when it was saved from closure last year by Cillian Murphy and his wife Yvonne.

Closed down during the COVID-19 lockdown, the cinema was then put up for sale before being bought by the couple.

At the time of purchase, they revealed their plans to refurbish and reopen the cinema, as well as expanding the space's 'creative potential’.

They further added that the programming will reflect the Phoenix being Ireland's only cinema in a Gaeltacht area.

Opened in 1919, it used to host music and local dances as well as showing the latest films.

The Cork Oscar winner and his wife commented on the funding, saying they were 'thrilled' with the announcement.

"We are both thrilled with the announcement that we have received the Rural Regeneration Development funding which will enable us to do full feasibility and design studies to reimagine The Phoenix Cinema," they continued.