Kerry County Council has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Phoenix Cinema in Daingean Uí Chúis, owned by actor Cillian Murphy and artist Yvonne McGuinness. This significant project aims to restore the historic venue while expanding its function to better serve the community.
The cinema, which was purchased by the couple in November 2024, will continue screening films but also add a variety of cultural facilities, enhancing its role as a creative hub in west Kerry.
Project Details and Community Involvement
The redevelopment plans include transforming the site into a multi-purpose arts space featuring performance venues, exhibition and rehearsal areas, artist studios, and hospitality amenities such as a bar, café, and restaurant. Additionally, the project will introduce a redesigned courtyard to improve the overall visitor experience.
The Phoenix Cinema has been a cultural landmark in the region since 1919 but closed during the covid pandemic. After the previous owners, the O’Sullivan family, decided to sell in 2022, concerns arose about potential commercial or residential redevelopment. Local residents responded with a campaign to preserve the venue’s cultural function.
The planning process incorporated extensive public consultation, including meetings and presentations within the cinema itself, reflecting strong community interest in the project’s direction.
Financial Support and Local Responses
The redevelopment has secured €933,000 from the Government’s Rural Regeneration Fund, demonstrating official support for rural cultural revitalization. The application received numerous letters backing the project, particularly from within the wider west Kerry arts community.
Some neighbours, however, expressed worries about the effects on nearby properties and increased parking demand in surrounding streets. The approval is subject to 13 conditions and remains open to appeal through An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Personal and Cultural Connections to West Kerry
Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness have long ties to the west Kerry Gaeltacht. Murphy’s parents have vacationed in the area for many years, and he himself spends significant time there with his family. Murphy reflected on his personal connection at the time of purchase, stating,
“My dad saw movies there before me, and we’ve brought our own children there too. We recognise what the cinema means to Dingle.” – Cillian Murphy, Actor
McGuinness highlighted their vision for the Phoenix beyond cinema screenings, intending to broaden its creative scope and restore its importance in the cultural life of Dingle.
Legacy of the Phoenix Cinema
The Phoenix has faced adversity in its history, having been destroyed by fire twice, in 1921 and again in 1938. Each time, the Houlihan family rebuilt the cinema, inspiring the venue’s name symbolizing rebirth. Over the decades, it evolved into a social centre, hosting drama performances, concerts, dances, and welcoming renowned showbands and artists, including Rory Gallagher and Dana.
This redevelopment project aims to ensure the historic venue continues its legacy as a vibrant focal point for the arts and community gatherings in west Kerry.
