Stella Cinema Rathmines

Jellybaby1 · 19-04-2016 7:35pm #1

The old cinema is for sale. I have never been to the Stella and never knew just how big the place was behind the small entrance. Any suggestions for the potential new owner? It would make a grand theatre with rehearsal space for new productions. However it will probably be turned into apartments or a hotel.

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/selling-the-stella-behind-doors-of-an-old-dublin-institution-1.2616085

griffdaddy · 19-04-2016 8:11pm

A Starbucks and Dealz property share would really brighten up the area. Or, failing that, a nice planning permission sign on the front for 6 years while it falls into further disrepair could work.

mvt · 19-04-2016 8:29pm

I think the last film I saw there was
Every which way but loose with Clint Eastwood

Ciaran_B · 20-04-2016 10:15am

griffdaddy wrote: »

A Starbucks and Dealz property share would really brighten up the area. Or, failing that, a nice planning permission sign on the front for 6 years while it falls into further disrepair could work.

There's already two Starbucks on that street - I don't think even Dublin could support 3 bukcys in 200 metres.

Ben D Bus · 20-04-2016 11:28am

griffdaddy wrote: »

A Starbucks and Dealz property share would really brighten up the area. Or, failing that, a nice planning permission sign on the front for 6 years while it falls into further disrepair could work.

A Carrolls gift shop too maybe?

jheneaiko · 20-04-2016 1:59pm

I miss that cinema (even if it was gross near the end of its life - remember the rats?!). I hope an attractive shop/boutique opens to make the area look nicer... i.e not a tacky discount store.

Boulevardier · 20-04-2016 2:55pm

A night-club?

edbrez · 20-04-2016 5:07pm

Boomtown Rats played a gig there.

odyssey06 · 20-04-2016 6:48pm

Wetherspoons would love it...

Jellybaby1 · 20-04-2016 6:48pm

mvt wrote: »

I think the last film I saw there was
Every which way but loose with Clint Eastwood

So, how long have you and old Clint been buddies then?

mvt · 20-04-2016 9:38pm

I'm glad I made your day,punk

He bought the popcorn too!!

Birneybau · 21-04-2016 10:08am

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

So, how long have you and old Clint been buddies then?

Is MVT Clyde?

saintsaltynuts · 21-04-2016 10:09am

odyssey06 wrote: »

Wetherspoons would love it...

We have a winner.

Jellybaby1 · 21-04-2016 10:14am

odyssey06 wrote: »

Wetherspoons would love it...

Ah no! Far too many eateries in Dublin. The population has almost forgotten how to cook! I prefer a bitta culture.

Minus the rats of course.

Synode · 21-04-2016 10:44am

Isn't there a problem getting planning permission to do anything with the building because of the pigeons. I definately remember hearing this before

griffdaddy · 21-04-2016 11:29am

odyssey06 wrote: »

Wetherspoons would love it...

I'd love it if Wetherspoons set up there. Might be too close to their new Camden Street branch though

Mesrine65 · 21-04-2016 11:32am

edbrez wrote: »

Boomtown Rats played a gig there.

Elvis Costello off his chunk on speed played a great gig there also.

OldGoat · 22-04-2016 7:37am

Mesrine65 wrote: »

Elvis Costello off his chunk on speed played a great gig there also.

He wasn't the only one off his tits on speed at that gig.

Mesrine65 · 22-04-2016 10:45am

OldGoat wrote: »

He wasn't the only one off his tits on speed at that gig.

I'm pleading the fifth on the grounds that I might incriminate myself

vektarman · 23-04-2016 8:44am

edbrez wrote: »

Boomtown Rats played a gig there.

And now just rats play there....:(

5rtytry56 · 23-04-2016 8:48am

vektarman wrote: »

And now just rats play there....:(

with a supporting cast of pigeons.

L1011 · 23-04-2016 4:30pm

There is a private screening cinema still available for hire within the Stella, it isn't derelict or abandoned. There was no logical reason for the owners to keep it open when they own the new one across the road.

Jellybaby1 · 23-04-2016 7:06pm

Synode wrote: »

Isn't there a problem getting planning permission to do anything with the building because of the pigeons. I definately remember hearing this before

I don't think pigeons are a protected species though.

Synode · 26-04-2016 1:12pm

Jellybaby1 wrote: »

I don't think pigeons are a protected species though.

Yeah I can't remember where I heard they were an obstruction to re-development. I've googled and can't find much. Must have been lies

Jellybaby1 · 27-04-2016 12:02am

These days, boids are more dangerous near airports. Anyway we await news of the future owners of Stella.

JohnFalstaff · 19-01-2017 12:58pm

Looks like the Stella will be restored to its former glory and open its doors as a cinema again.

http://www.thejournal.ie/screen-cinema-rathmines-3192039-Jan2017/

Some great memories of seeing films there in the 70's and 80's (and some not so great memories of the sticky floors and the stinking toilets as the place fell into disrepair during the 90's!)

blue4ever · 19-01-2017 1:09pm

Bought by McKillen's - those who brought you the Dean. Turning it into an 'arthouse' cinema (like the lighthouse a bit) - I think food and beers available. And actually Rathmines is shaping up again after many years of neglect - a good thing.

5rtytry56 · 19-01-2017 1:23pm

blue4ever wrote: »

And actually Rathmines is shaping up again after many years of neglect - a good thing.

and not being just a grim "Dorset Street of the Southside"...:o

MrMorooka · 19-01-2017 1:49pm

To be honest I think opening it up again as a cinema is a bad move, it will just be out-competed by the Swan and will die a death. There's not enough demand to have two cinemas running in the area.

L1011 · 19-01-2017 1:55pm

MrMorooka wrote: »

To be honest I think opening it up again as a cinema is a bad move, it will just be out-competed by the Swan and will die a death. There's not enough demand to have two cinemas running in the area.

Not a chance its going to be a mainstream cinema showing current-run movies. Also, its very likely the sale of it required that as it was owned by the same owners as the Swan.

danjo-xx · 19-01-2017 6:00pm

Was this place related to Stella in mt. merrion

fleet_admiral · 19-01-2017 8:32pm

Revamp looks like it has started. I walked by this afternoon and the sound of heavy machinery was deafening

newacc2015 · 21-01-2017 1:38pm

MrMorooka wrote: »

To be honest I think opening it up again as a cinema is a bad move, it will just be out-competed by the Swan and will die a death. There's not enough demand to have two cinemas running in the area.

It looks like it will be a bar/restaurant that happens to be a cinema. They won't be in the same market. This cinema won't be hoping to get students on a €5 ticket deal. The clientele going to the Stella won't be the same as going to the Swan.

Look at how incredibly well the IFI does off the bar/resturant in it. There is no good niche cinema on the southside of the city. If the lighthouse can do well in Smithfield, then I imagine this cinema will do very well in Rathmines.

SteoL · 21-01-2017 5:58pm

I have vague recollections of going here to me Da's work Christmas party for the children in the 80's one morning.

Also, is this the place that showed The Rocky Horror for years?

5rtytry56 · 21-01-2017 6:38pm

[QUOTE=SteoL;102357313...
Also, is this the place that showed The Rocky Horror for years?[/QUOTE]
No.
The Classic Harold's Cross showed the Rocky Horror for years.

5rtytry56 · 21-01-2017 6:41pm

For all the naysayers on this thread, remember the SCREEN in Hawkins Street / Townsend street has shut.

So yeah, another niche cinema to take it's place in Rathmines can take the custom.

boobycharlton · 21-01-2017 7:42pm

Will probably follow the route of the Everyman cinemas in the UK.

Nodster · 21-01-2017 11:25pm

danjo-xx wrote: »

Was this place related to Stella in mt. merrion

Pretty sure it was and AFAIK the operators name was O'Grady

Speedsie · 22-01-2017 10:22am

The last cinema I was in where they'd have to change the reel.

Great news that it's reopening.

5rtytry56 · 22-01-2017 10:58am

Speedsie wrote: »

The last cinema I was in where they'd have to change the reel.

Great news that it's reopening.

Also the last cinema where there was an intermission in the film "so patrons could go and buy refreshments at the counter"

...so the reel could be changed.

irishguy · 22-01-2017 5:02pm

They mentioned in the independent its owned by a property and ultimately going to be turned into a boutique hotel. So I imagine this is just going to be a short term thing. There are also a new cinema under construction/about to start behind the barge.

heraldo · 22-01-2017 11:00pm

Nodster wrote: »

Pretty sure it was and AFAIK the operators name was O'Grady

That's right, went to school years ago with his son, James O' Grady

newacc2015 · 23-01-2017 4:08pm

irishguy wrote: »

They mentioned in the independent its owned by a property and ultimately going to be turned into a boutique hotel. So I imagine this is just going to be a short term thing.

It was not reported in any paper. The only reference I can see it being turned into a hotel is from an estate agent.

They might be sticking a cinema elsewhere on the site, but you would not spend possibly millions on refurbishing a cinema to it into a hotel.

K.Flyer · 04-05-2017 11:35am

So I managed a sneak peak around the inside today, some serious works going on in there.
Plans are for a luxury Cinema set up with approx 100 armchair seater with tables, also a bar and small restaurant.
Brought back memories walking around. Most of the beautifut timber panelling on the ceiling is still intact and hopefully being kept and restored to former glory.
Still a good way from completion, but its getting there.

Stella Cinema Rathmines

Comments