The team behind the redevelopment of the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle intends to submit a full planning application in November.
The latest public consultation event for the project took place at the weekend, titled ‘Proposing’.
The historic cinema closed in 2021 after 100 years in operation, but was purchased late last year by Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy, and his wife, artist Yvonne McGuinness.
The first public consultation event, titled ‘Listening’, took place in June, and the second event took place in August, titled ‘Sketching’.
These events have been led by Laura Brock from Brock McClure Planning Consultants, Andrew Clancy from Clancy Moore Architects, creative director and producer Mary Hickson, and co-owner and visual artist Yvonne McGuinness.
The third such event, ‘Proposing’, took place at the former cinema on Saturday.
The team behind the redevelopment has said its events were met with strong community engagement, sparking thoughtful discussion, critique, and vision-sharing.
It says designs continue to evolve, and will be brought forward in a full planning application this November.
It’s currently proposed that the new Phoenix will become a cultural village, anchored in cinema, but also featuring live performances, rehearsals, music practice, meetings, and small theatre.
The plans also include artists’ studios, a project room, gallery, community ‘living room’, and a garden designed for conversation and reflection.
The Phoenix team says its vision is for a place that serves locals and visitors alike, open year-round, alive with creativity.
They are planning more public events in 2026 to explore programming ideas and the exciting possibilities the new centre will bring, as it moves into detailed design.
