Nine Of The Most Beautiful Cinemas In Ireland You Need To Watch A Movie In

Sarah

Everyone loves a night out at the movies – you get to eat your body weight in popcorn, gaze at beautiful actors and if you just so happen to doze off a bit, it’s grand ‘cos you’re in the dark.

After a while though, chain multi-plex cinemas can start to feel a bit meh. They all look the same and more than likely you’ll be surrounded by teenagers on an awkward first date.

Good thing then, that Ireland has an amazing independent cinema culture, with movies on show in some really stunning venues.

You can catch a quirky movie that you wouldn’t normally go see, maybe enjoy a cocktail and soak up all the old Hollywood vibes.

Here’s nine of Ireland’s best screens:

1. Dunmaise Arts Centre, Laois

This lovely little arts centre in Portlaoise is housed in an old stone building. The cinema room itself is cosy with the movie screen featuring on the main theatre stage.

2. Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin

This funky independent cinema is one of our faves, with funky seating and a bar on site. They do fun events too, such as special movie sing-a-longs.

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3. Triskel Arts Centre, Cork

One of the country’s most stunning cinemas, Triskel show arthouse and independent films from an 18th Century church building.

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4. Phoenix Cinema, Kerry

This teenchy-tiny cinema in Dingle will bring you back to the simpler times of the past. Its retro vibe makes it stand out from other cinemas in the country.

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5. Movie Junction, Cork

Ireland’s only daily drive-in movie venue, Movie Junction in Carrigtwohill makes the entire country jealous with its super cool Grease vibes.

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6. The Sugar Club, Dublin

This deadly venue is a long-term favourite, with their movie screening events on regularly. You can grab a beer or cocktail and some pizza while you view the flick.

7. Lime Tree, Limerick

Another fab cinema, it’s based in an arts centre in a local college. Lime Tree show movies every Monday. The venue is great and they have a good choice of films, from Oscar nominees to independents.

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8. Ashford Castle, Mayo

This is a real movie treat for when you’re feeling like living the life of a film star. The residents cinema in Ashford Castle shows two movies a day, with velvet seats and tasty snack.

9. Meeting House Square, Dublin

This amazing outdoor venue is actually really cosy, with blankets and over-head canopies provided. They often host movie nights, showing classics such as Big. Keep an eye out for their next event.

10. And a bonus… Stella Theatre, Dublin

This recently reopened cinema from the 1920s has original Art Deco features, plush leather sofa seats with footstools and blankets and an upstairs cocktail bar. They also do midnight movie screenings every weekend.