Has your town got A GOOD CINEMA ?..

Paddy20

In my home town of Ballybofey, we had 'The Ritz Cinema'. Yet when I came home for good in 1987 it was closed. We now have an excellent theatre called The Balor Theatre making use of part of this unique art-deco building.

I am concerned about the future of this building as IMHO it should be preserved.

Have you got a Cinema. If not would you like one ?..

P. :cool:

Goodshape

Saint Mary's Hall, Buncrana - with glorious stereo sound.

Also does Bingo.

No, it's not a good cinema. It would be barely passable if it were showing art-house or smaller independent films, only they insist on getting in whatever blockbuster tosh is on the way out of the multiplex - for which they're totally unsuited.

Paddy20

Goodshape wrote:

Saint Mary's Hall, Buncrana - with glorious stereo sound.

Also does Bingo.

No, it's not a good cinema. It would be barely passable if it were showing art-house or smaller independent films, only they insist on getting in whatever blockbuster tosh is on the way out of the multiplex - for which they're totally unsuited.

I remember St Mary's hall . I used to spend holidays in Buncrana when my sister & hubbie owned 'The Brass Rail Bar' on the main street for around 35 years .

Sounds as though you could do with a modern custom built cinema, same as Ballybofey.

I wonder how many towns/communities are in the same boat, and why ?..

P.:cool:

smashey

We have a good cinema here in Lifford. There was a slight problem with uncomfortable seating but they changed them all last year. They also have planning permission to add another two screens bringing us up to six.

Paddy20

smashey wrote:

We have a good cinema here in Lifford. There was a slight problem with uncomfortable seating but they changed them all last year. They also have planning permission to add another two screens bringing us up to six.

When I was aged about 14 Lifford had a small cinema a few doors away from my Uncle's fish & chipper> remember the last film I saw there was 'The Nun's Story'.

At that time there was also a very large cinema in Strabane, where the back row was where you sat if you were in luck . Now long closed as well.

P. :cool:

Goodshape

Derry isn't too far from us, although I don't rate the Strand Multiplex too highly either - I'd say it's adequate. Letterkenny is always a bit more difficult to get to / from, I've heard the cinema there is a big improvement.

I'd actually like to see St. Mary's Hall show more (or any) art-house / independent films, it could turn a dreadful cinema into an attractive alternative to the multiplex.

Paddy20

Goodshape wrote:

Derry isn't too far from us, although I don't rate the Strand Multiplex too highly either - I'd say it's adequate. Letterkenny is always a bit more difficult to get to / from, I've heard the cinema there is a big improvement.

I'd actually like to see St. Mary's Hall show more (or any) art-house / independent films, it could turn a dreadful cinema into an attractive alternative to the multiplex.

IMHO we should have a cinema in each community catering for both mainstream plus art-house/independent productions.

Can anyone explaiin, why we are being deprived of such facilitie's ?..

P. :cool:

irish1967

Excellent cinema (6 screens) in Bundoran. Not a bad one in Ballyshannon either

smashey

Paddy20 wrote:

When I was aged about 14 Lifford had a small cinema a few doors away from my Uncle's fish & chipper> remember the last film I saw there was 'The Nun's Story'.

At that time there was also a very large cinema in Strabane, where the back row was where you sat if you were in luck . Now long closed as well.

P. :cool:

I'll let you in on a secret here Paddy. My grandfather was the manager in that cinema in Lifford.

Carrickman

Used to be a cinema in Carrick well before my time it closed in the 60's the building is still there (before you come into the town at the bridge) it was used as a garage up to about 6 years ago it is now a Antigue Shop. The nearest one then was in Killybegs and that closed in the early 80's (?), then it was Donegal and that is now closed so anyone from the area who want's to go to the Cinema Bundoran is the closest.

Gillie

12 screens in Sligo.
Fine Cinema but filthy tbh.

I rarely go in.

jimmycrackcorm

Paddy20 wrote:

IMHO we should have a cinema in each community catering for both mainstream plus art-house/independent productions.

Can anyone explaiin, why we are being deprived of such facilitie's ?..

P. :cool:

Cinema attendance has been hit by DVD / the internet et al. It just wouldn't justify the cost in investment to have a cinema in each community. It's a bit like saying that each community should have it's own hospital - a nice idea but financially unsound.

Star Lord

Moville used to have a single screen cinema way back, which was closed, then knocked down, then used by the co-op, then turned into what is now the Town Clock.

Now when I'm home and fancy the cinema it's a 20 mile trip to Derry to the barely adequate Strand Cinema.

muffler

Have to agree with jimmycrackcorm on this one. A cinema is a business and unless its making money it will close. As was said already the DVD scene and going back a good few years, the video tapes ensured the demise of the cinemas in the low populated areas in particular.

Cant say I would miss the cinema as I never go to near them but there are a lot of people who do and its a little amenity that has gradually eroded away down the years

jimmycrackcorm

If you have a suitable room at your home, it would be hard to beat a DLP projector on a white wall and a good surround sound system. You can serve your self beer and parking is no problem. The equipment would quickly be paid off by the huge savings in microwave popcorn and Lidl cola. And if you have a recliner armchair then you've got the best seating too.

magnumlady

Gillie wrote:

12 screens in Sligo.
Fine Cinema but filthy tbh.

I rarely go in.

I take the kids there a fair bit, it is really minging though, your feet get stuck to the floor (yuck!)

Gillie

magnumlady wrote:

I take the kids there a fair bit, it is really minging though, your feet get stuck to the floor (yuck!)

I know it's terrible isn't it.
The real reason i don't go is because of ppl talking/messing during a movie.
Really pi$$es me off.
Why pay up to €8.50 to go and see a movie if your going to talk through it.

magnumlady

Gillie wrote:

I know it's terrible isn't it.
The real reason i don't go is because of ppl talking/messing during a movie.
Really pi$$es me off.
Why pay up to €8.50 to go and see a movie if your going to talk through it.

I don't get people that do that, or the ones that are up and down every few minutes to the loo or to get food. Or the people that bring little kids in to see a totally unsuitable film and then the kids run riot all through the film.
What was the old cinema like in Sligo?
I see they were building one in Carrick on Shannon, not sure if its open yet though.

byte

Carrickman wrote:

Used to be a cinema in Carrick well before my time it closed in the 60's the building is still there (before you come into the town at the bridge) it was used as a garage up to about 6 years ago it is now a Antigue Shop. The nearest one then was in Killybegs and that closed in the early 80's (?), then it was Donegal and that is now closed so anyone from the area who want's to go to the Cinema Bundoran is the closest.

Didn't realise that place in Carrick was once a cinema!

Being a Ballintra native, I used to go to Donegal Town when I was younger, but that's of course closed now. Also used to go to Abbey Centre in Ballyshannon which is fine, and Bundoran Cineplex is quite good.

Now in Letterkenny, and Century Cinemas is very good I think.

I have never been to the Lifford Strabane Cineplex.

I think Donegal Town could do with a cinema, which could also cater for those in the Killybegs and Carrick areas. Though, like every other notion of building in Donegal Town, it'll probably never happen (Was Michael Kelly's site behind the carpark to include a cinema?)

SOLID-SLUG,

I think if Donegal County Council or even a private company started a mobile cinema that had up to-date film"s, it would be kept busy in the town"s that don"t have good cinema access, eg. Ballybofey, Convoy, Carrick, and Glenties, after all if Leitrim can run one, Donegal could at least run two?? ps.... If you dont know already, Leitrim Co.Co, run a moblie cinema, which is in a state of the art, artic, lorry, 05 LM, aprox, 80 seats? and visits every village in the county, of which details are posted in Shop windows and local press, What do you think???????

Gillie

magnumlady wrote:

I don't get people that do that, or the ones that are up and down every few minutes to the loo or to get food. Or the people that bring little kids in to see a totally unsuitable film and then the kids run riot all through the film.
What was the old cinema like in Sligo?
I see they were building one in Carrick on Shannon, not sure if its open yet though.

I loved the old Cinema in Sligo. But then again I was a lot younger then. It had more of a feel to it.

The Carrick one is open. Behind Supermacs. 2 or 4 screens I think.

magnumlady

Gillie wrote:

I loved the old Cinema in Sligo. But then again I was a lot younger then. It had more of a feel to it.

The Carrick one is open. Behind Supermacs. 2 or 4 screens I think.

Must check out that one,might be cleaner then Sligo.

Madge

magnumlady wrote:

What was the old cinema like in Sligo?

It was really nice, it had french doors and pink wallpaper with swirls on it. There was steps going up to the screens... I remember when it was only 2 pound 50 to get in aswell!

muffler

Madge wrote:

I remember when it was only 2 pound 50 to get in aswell!

You're older than you look

Madge

muffler wrote:

You're older than you look

Oi you! No it was only 10 yrs ago when it was that price and I was a kid then..

Gillie

Madge wrote:

It was really nice, it had french doors and pink wallpaper with swirls on it. There was steps going up to the screens... I remember when it was only 2 pound 50 to get in aswell!

And it looked like a Cinema should look.
Just thinking of all the movies I saw there growing up.
:cool:

il gatto

Yeah. I loved the old cinema in Sligo. I often thought it should have been preserved and a new one built elsewhere. I've happy memories of hanging around the door at the top of the steps, waiting for friends with the sun setting off to the west (you could see because the cinema was on a hill and was open at the sides). Had a real magic which the new one doesn't.
The new cinema is really grubby though. It's a first class facility, but needs to get it's act together with regards to cleaning and ushering. Get a few boucers. If your barred for talking, making and taking phone calls, going walkabouts and throwing stuff, you should be barred.

nanook

ah but guys, you all seem to forget that there used to be 2 cinemas in sligo. There was the one on wine st, now the 12 screen sticky floor place, and then there was the savoy (or somthing like that) on high st just below the friary.

Never been to it as it closed when i was young but i do remember it.

Gillie

nanook wrote:

ah but guys, you all seem to forget that there used to be 2 cinemas in sligo. There was the one on wine st, now the 12 screen sticky floor place, and then there was the savoy (or somthing like that) on high st just below the friary.

Never been to it as it closed when i was young but i do remember it.

WAAAAY before my time too!

Biro

magnumlady wrote:

Must check out that one,might be cleaner then Sligo.

Tis alright... well, it being brand new helps! Should last at least 6 months being clean!!
It's actually very nice, comfortable seats, the lot! And they had Casino Royale on the Thursday (premier night), when Sligo didn't! (Usually Sligo is good for premier's).

magnumlady

nanook wrote:

ah but guys, you all seem to forget that there used to be 2 cinemas in sligo. There was the one on wine st, now the 12 screen sticky floor place, and then there was the savoy (or somthing like that) on high st just below the friary.

Never been to it as it closed when i was young but i do remember it.

Oh I remember that one, not as a cinema but it used to be a furniture shop or something.

dom40

[used to go to the cinema in the twin towns sad day when it closed

byte

Sorry for going off topic, but welcome to the NW Forum, dom40!

dom40

thanks for the welcome

Paddy20

dom40 wrote:

[used to go to the cinema in the twin towns sad day when it closed

As the thread starter , I must support dom40 on this one. He is clearly stating that he Has not got a good Cinema in in the Twin-Towns, and I totally agree with him .


Sorry byte, but I do not accept that he/she is "off topic" , and perhaps welcoming 'new posters' instead of being, or trying to be so PC might help to make this forum easier to post on .

Welcome aboard dom40.

P. :cool:

muffler

Paddy20 wrote:

Sorry byte, but I do not accept that he/she is "off topic" , and perhaps welcoming 'new posters' instead of being, or trying to be so PC might help to make this forum easier to post on

I think byte meant that he (byte) was off topic by welcoming dom40 to the forum.

A brief welcome to any new member will never be off topic

So welcome to the North West Forum dom40

muffler

Paddy20 wrote:

He is clearly stating that he Has not got a good Cinema in in the Twin-Towns, and I totally agree with him

I think he means that he has no f***king cinema in the twin towns

Paddy20

muffler wrote:

I think byte meant that he (byte) was off topic by welcoming dom40 to the forum.

A brief welcome to any new member will never be off topic

I think I understand where you are coming from muffler, but I would be grateful if byte would please clarify 'what he meant ?..

`

Paddy20

muffler wrote:

I think he means that he has no f***king cinema in the twin towns

muffler,

I am not sure if you are old enough to really appreciate how much 'The Ritz Cinema meant to the people of the Twin-Towns.

Did you know that there is still all the cinema equipment, projector's etc, upstairs, behind where the ' Closed off balcony ' still exists and unused ?..and ignored. Thanks to the old 'Butt Hall Committee' ?..

P. :cool:

muffler

Paddy20 wrote:

muffler,

I am not sure if you are old enough to really appreciate how much 'The Ritz Cinema meant to the people of the Twin-Towns.

Did you know that there is still all the cinema equipment, projector's etc, upstairs, behind where the ' Closed off balcony ' still exists and unused ?..

P. :cool:

I was on an interview panel up in that room about a year ago but didn't notice any projectors but we were only in one part of it.

As I said earlier I'm not pushed about cinemas myself but a lot of people are and if it were financially viable there should be a decent cinema in the larger towns in particular.

Paddy20

muffler wrote:

I was on an interview panel up in that room about a year ago but didn't notice any projectors but we were only in one part of it.

As I said earlier I'm not pushed about cinemas myself but a lot of people are and if it were financially viable there should be a decent cinema in the larger towns in particular.

Nice to be in agreement, and I wish I had been 'a fly on the wall' at that interview panel meeting .

P. :cool:

il gatto

nanook wrote:

ah but guys, you all seem to forget that there used to be 2 cinemas in sligo. There was the one on wine st, now the 12 screen sticky floor place, and then there was the savoy (or somthing like that) on high st just below the friary.

Never been to it as it closed when i was young but i do remember it.

The building is still there. Looks less like a cinema with each passing year. The old Gaiety had the real old cinema look, with a stepped gable end, plush red velvet, and loads of bulbs under the canopy.

byte

Paddy20 wrote:

I think I understand where you are coming from muffler, but I would be grateful if byte would please clarify 'what he meant ?..

`

Yes, muffler was right in his assumption as to what I meant.

I was referring to my post being off topic, as I was merely welcoming dom40. It was obvious that dom40's post was on topic.

I have edited my post to reflect what I truly meant.

Culchie

Paddy20 wrote:

IMHO we should have a cinema in each community catering for both mainstream plus art-house/independent productions.

Can anyone explaiin, why we are being deprived of such facilitie's ?..

P. :cool:

Works both ways, if it's not supported by local community they will close.


Went to Sligo Cinema last Wednesday, 9.30pm showing, bloody good film as well (Breaking & Entering).
Myself and Mrs Culchie had the whole cinema to ourselves !! Cinema has 12 screens (I think) .... surely it's not viable?

muffler

Culchie wrote:

Myself and Mrs Culchie had the whole cinema to ourselves !!

We'll not ask you what you did when there's nobody else around

Madge

Culchie wrote:

Went to Sligo Cinema last Wednesday, 9.30pm showing, bloody good film as well (Breaking & Entering).
Myself and Mrs Culchie had the whole cinema to ourselves !! Cinema has 12 screens (I think) .... surely it's not viable?

That movie wasn't particularly well marketed so probably not many people went to see it. I think it depends on the movie. I went to see Casino Royal and Saw 3 and Pirates of Caribbean and the place was jammed packed for those movies. The cinema is usually busy on Tuesday nights aswell as thats when the students go. Its also packed at the weekends with the kiddies Plus the cinema probably makes a fortune from selling all the sweets and popcorn etc. The prices are sooo dear :mad:

donegalman1

Cinema is actually not in recline but rather very popular these days.

It is also very profitable.

Obviously it cannot be everywhere due to viability but one must state taking a couple of kids to the cimena is hugely expensive.. At that rate I'd expect the facilities to be first class.

il gatto

The cinema originally opened with seven screens, but eight had been mooted. They designed it with possible expansion in mind. A few years ago, there were rumours of a new cinema being planned for Carraroe, so they added the extra five screens to discourage competition (what I've heard). A good plan which has resulted in a fine complex (albeit with sticky floors:D ).
The extra screens mean they tend to show a more diverse range of films than they previously could. Means more choice and the occasional joy at finding an almost empty cinema to relax in.

drive3331

I remember as a kid going to the Savoy in Sligo to watch the Disney matinee on a Saturday. That was just before video took off. God now I am feeling old.

The thing I miss about the Gaiety is the art-deco fronting they had. It was a nice feature and a shame the whole thing got knocked instead of incorporated into the new development.

I have to agree with Paddy that interesting buildings like the former Ritz Cinema should be preserved. The way the Balor Theatre is making use of the building is a nice example of putting an old building back to good use.

Paddy20

drive3331 wrote:

I have to agree with Paddy that interesting buildings like the former Ritz Cinema should be preserved. The way the Balor Theatre is making use of the building is a nice example of putting an old building back to good use.

drive3331,

Many thanks for your support on my point that The Ritz Cinema Art-Deco design building in Ballybofey should be preserved.

My main concern here is AFAIK the `NEW' Butt Hall has plans to facilitate a new Balor Theatre, which leaves a unique building at risk of demolition.:( .

P. :cool:

Paddy20

SOLID-SLUG, wrote:

I think if Donegal County Council or even a private company started a mobile cinema that had up to-date film"s, it would be kept busy in the town"s that don"t have good cinema access, eg. Ballybofey, Convoy, Carrick, and Glenties, after all if Leitrim can run one, Donegal could at least run two?? ps.... If you dont know already, Leitrim Co.Co, run a moblie cinema, which is in a state of the art, artic, lorry, 05 LM, aprox, 80 seats? and visits every village in the county, of which details are posted in Shop windows and local press, What do you think???????

SOLID-SLUG,

Click on this link to another of my threads: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=307248&referrerid=&highlight=Mobile+cinema

Marry Christmas:)

P. :cool: