Pálás cinema
The Palace | |
 Pálás with the "PALACE" name on its side | |
 | |
| Address | Galway, County Galway Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°16′11″N 9°03′10″W / 53.26984°N 9.05279°W |
| Owner | Galway City Council |
| Operator | Light House Cinema |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 23 February 2018[1] |
| Closed | 27 February 2025[2] |
| Architect | Tom de Paor |
| Website | |
| www | |
Pálás (English: "Palace") is a cinema in Galway city. It opened in 2018, and has closed in February 2025 due to financial losses.[2][3] It is owned by Galway City Council and was operated by the Light House Cinema group,[4] as part of the Europa Cinemas network of local art-house cinemas.[5]
Construction
[edit]The site, for Galway's Solas Picture Palace,[2][6] was first identified in 2004.[7] The venue was designed by Tom de Paor,[8] and awarded an AAI and RIAI award for "Best Cultural Building", two Irish Concrete Society awards, two Civic Trust awards and a World Architecture Award.[9][10][11] The site was completed in 2017 by the Solas Galway Picture Palace Company,[12] which later went into liquidation in 2020.[13] The cinema includes a bar with facilities for board games.[14]
Operations
[edit]The site has hosted premiere screenings, parties and quiz nights, and been a venue for the Galway Film Fleadh and Galway Film Society.[15][16] It also hosts a book club.[17]
Closure
[edit]In December 2024, the operators announced that they would be ceasing operations at the venue in early 2025.[7]
Public meetings were held by concerned citizens, under the "Save Pálás" banner,[2] to find ways to keep the cinema in operation as a cultural space.[4][18] In January 2025, a city council meeting was delayed due to protests about the closure.[19] A protest outside the venue was held on February 22, one week before the scheduled closure.[20]
See also
[edit]- Claddagh Palace a nearby cinema that closed in 1995
References
[edit]- ^ Siggins, Lorna (21 February 2018). "First look: Galway's new art-house cinema, a 'beautiful tower of song'". The Irish Times. Dublin. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d McGrath, Pat (2 March 2025). "What next for Galway's Pálás cinema?". RTE.ie.
- ^ "Galway's arthouse Pálás cinema to close after 'stark' financial losses". The Irish Times.
- ^ a b "Public meeting to save city's Pálás Cinema". GalwayBayFM.ie. 12 February 2025.
- ^ "Pálás". Europa-Cinemas.org.
- ^ McGrath, Pat (21 February 2018). "Opening of Galway's Picture Palace ends 14-year saga". RTE.ie.
- ^ a b Mannion, Teresa (19 December 2024). "Mixed reaction to news of Pálás Cinema closure in Galway". RTÉ News.
- ^ "Solas Galway Picture Palace | dePaor". Archilovers. 8 October 2015.
- ^ Zarzycki, Lili (17 June 2019). "Wild west: Pálás cinema in Galway, Ireland by dePaor". Architectural-Review.com. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ Heathcote, Edwin (25 July 2018). "The Pálás in Galway: seduced by a glowing picture palace". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ Tuomey, John (October 2018). "Tower House". Architecture Ireland. 301: 49.
- ^ "The state-funded firm behind Galway's 'disastrous' art house cinema is being liquidated". Fora.ie. 10 July 2017.
- ^ "Company linked to controversial Pálás cinema hit for €821,000 by Revenue". Irish Independent. 9 September 2020.
- ^ Lyons, Ado (6 June 2023). "Pálás Shaking Up Summer Cocktail Menu". ThisIsGalway.ie.
- ^ "WOMP Presents The GREAT BIG BIG SCREEN Quiz at Pálás Cinema". ThisIsGalway.ie.
- ^ "I'm Still Here at Pálás Cinema". Galway Film Society.
- ^ "Cinema Book Club | Pálás Cinema Galway Ireland". Palas.ie.
- ^ Kelly, Maxim (20 February 2025). "Protests expected as Pálás to close next week". Galway Advertiser.
- ^ "City Council meeting forced to adjourn as 100 people protesting over the closure of the Pálás Cinema made their way into the building". GalwayBayFM.ie. 13 January 2025.
- ^ Sassone, Erika (24 February 2025). "Large crowd gathers to save Pálás Cinema in second protest before closure". Irish Independent.
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