Why is the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland important? Find out as Cillian Murphy and his wife Yvonne McGuinness plan its revival and expansion.

Cillian Murphy is once again in the spotlight for all the right reasons, much to his dismay. The Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, County Kerry, is getting a fresh start thanks to Oppenheimer actress and artist Yvonne McGuinness, his wife. A focal point of the community for over a century, this iconic cinema is of great cultural and historical significance.

Built in 1919, the cinema was a meeting place for people in Dingle and beyond. It was originally designed as both a cinema and a dance hall. Over the years, The Phoenix survived two devastating fires, in 1921 and 1938, and was rebuilt each time, earning it its name and the iconic Phoenix emblem. Its Art Deco facade and mosaic design make it a visual landmark of the city.

As the only cinema on the Dingle Peninsula and the only one in a Gaeltacht area, The Phoenix has played a unique role in preserving Irish culture. It has hosted countless screenings, from blockbusters to independent films, and was even the site of live performances during the showband era. Local memories include the appearance of Rory Gallagher in 1964 and the theatrical screenings of Ryan’s Daughter in 1972, which were filmed nearby.

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For Murphy, this cinema is personal. “I’ve been watching movies at the Phoenix since I was a boy,” he said, emphasizing the film’s importance to both his family and the city’s heritage. McGuinness also expressed her commitment to preserving cinema’s legacy while expanding its creative potential, Deadline reports.

In its heyday, The Phoenix brought people together on Tuesdays for film club discussions and screenings aimed at locals and tourists. However, challenges such as rising costs and reduced visitor numbers led to its closure in 2021 during the pandemic.

Now Murphy and McGuinness plan to restore and modernize the cinema while keeping its history alive. Their goal is to restore it to a vibrant cultural center and ensure it continues to serve the community. The cinema’s unique position as a cornerstone of Dingle’s artistic life makes this revival a significant step for the region.

The renovation will begin in 2025 and promises a new chapter for The Phoenix, a treasured part of Dingle’s history. As the couple says, “Good things take time.”

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