Is the Eye Cinema due to reopen?

-Vega- · 21-08-2020 8:33am #1

Hey folks,

I see some of the other cinemas have reopened. Surprised the EYE hasn't opened it's doors with some basic measures in place.

Was wondering if anyone had any info on whether or not we will see it opening in the near future?

Thanks.

Metroid diorteM · 21-08-2020 8:48am

Will they be administering the vaccine at the door so?

ben.schlomo · 21-08-2020 8:56am

https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058103057/1/#post114266096

westgolf · 21-08-2020 11:44am

Did the eye cinema not change hands during the lockdown ? Might have something to do with it.

flazio · 21-08-2020 4:23pm

I'd be sorry to see it close down for good. For my geekdom days it was the place to go to for the high frame rate copies of The Hobbit movies and the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special. Not sure Palas or Omniplex would be interested in that anymore.

cena · 21-08-2020 10:36pm

This is the email I was given when I contacted the cinema. agalligan@eyecinema.ie . If you have any questions.

Redo91 · 22-08-2020 1:13am

Wait is it closing for good? Pretty sure it’s owned by the same crowd as the G Counter and Tribeton who also haven’t opened.

Stevolende · 23-08-2020 12:29pm

I thought it had only changed management a little before the lockdown. had certainly changed policy on a number of things.
So Wednesday was the only cheap day to go instead of films showing daily before 2.30 or 12.30 over the weekend.

pryingEyes999 · 15-06-2021 6:30pm

Is the Eye basically gone now? I presume its closed for good, to be turned into offices or the like.

beardybrewer · 15-06-2021 6:51pm

flazio wrote: »

I'd be sorry to see it close down for good.

I remember moving into Wellpark just before the Eye opened back when the Omni was a dump. Do I have that name right, what was the IMC called before? Maybe by the Eye needs a revamp and maybe go the Salthill luxury route?

sgthighway · 15-06-2021 6:56pm

According to solo check they are still functioning as a company.

Homelander · 16-06-2021 2:41pm

beardybrewer wrote: »

I remember moving into Wellpark just before the Eye opened back when the Omni was a dump. Do I have that name right, what was the IMC called before? Maybe by the Eye needs a revamp and maybe go the Salthill luxury route?

Yeah there was a split in the company that led to Omniplex/IMC, so the one in town became IMC as part of the agreement.

Eye was the best but now I go to the Omniplex in Salthill. Bit of extra hassle/cost but definitely worth it.

IMC in town is fine but nowhere near as nice. The one in Oranmore is a dump, I'm surprised it's even open these days. It was great when it opened but they seem to have made zero investment in it since.

Laviski · 16-06-2021 9:04pm

Homelander wrote: »

Yeah there was a split in the company that led to Omniplex/IMC, so the one in town became IMC as part of the agreement.

Eye was the best but now I go to the Omniplex in Salthill. Bit of extra hassle/cost but definitely worth it.

IMC in town is fine but nowhere near as nice. The one in Oranmore is a dump, I'm surprised it's even open these days. It was great when it opened but they seem to have made zero investment in it since.

Place in oranmore was doomed from the start,
It had a plan, pub (nightclub upstairs as well?), The amusements pool bowling and a cinema. This is all great and oranmore could have done with all these but it built it at an industrial park with zero residential nearby no bus service and well the recession hit too which was probably the nail on the coffin.

Omniplex salthill all the way worth the money but I'm IMC retail park are overcharging for what they provide as well as the extra price for screen one.
Eye was my regular until it shut but standards were dropping.

Arghus · 17-06-2021 10:43pm

It was beginning to show signs of age, but it's still a loss. With the pálás and the Omniplex in Salthill there is more variety now but the Eye still had a good mix of the blockbusters and the less mainstream stuff up until the end.

fergiesfolly · 18-06-2021 10:44am

Very disappointed it's gone. I could walk to the Huntsman, have a pint, watch a film and stroll home. Always preferred it over the IMC and Salthill is a car or bus journey away. And more expensive.

I'd imagine it would take a lot of work to refit that space for other uses. Is there any other cinema group that would take it on? Or maybe a small theatre/music/comedy venue?

beardybrewer · 18-06-2021 10:52am

Funny enough I came across a similar question on FB here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatsoningalway/permalink/1496361790712931

Can't guarantee this is legit but this may be of interest:

I work in the Eye Cinema. As Noreena said we are looking to open towards the end of July, could be earlier. Ye just don't realise the amount of work it's going to take, it's not something that can happen overnight, it'll take weeks. Our owners want to make sure it's going to be commercially viable and that there are enough good movies out to keep the place running and the cash coming in. Also I'd say they are not risking spending thousands on stock and then we suddenly end up back in level 5. They're being very cautious! There is a lot to be done to bring the place back up to a functional business standard, unlike the other cinemas who opened when the last lockdown measures eased, we've been closed since March last year.. The building is in dire need of some maintenance and a thorough deep clean.. Just gotta wait a little longer guys!

Wompa1 · 19-06-2021 8:03pm

beardybrewer wrote: »

Funny enough I came across a similar question on FB here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatsoningalway/permalink/1496361790712931

Can't guarantee this is legit but this may be of interest:

Fair point on the movies in that FB post. There hasn't been too many releases over the last year.

Stevolende · 21-06-2021 3:52pm

I met one of teh mangers a few months ago who said it wasn't closed per se. Not sure if that was this year or last,
I have noticed that the Logo sign no longer said Eye Cinema since Eye was missing. I thought I saaw they redid teh Cinema part of taht sign a few weeks back but its still the same with teh name.

Did they change management at the beginning of last year? I noticed they stopped having the Earlybird discounts on during the daytime that had been a feature since opening. I think the person who I was talking to said the management had changed during the lockdown too.
So wonder what it is coming back as . I liked the seats in there much better than the Omniplex but saw they redid those a few years ago.
Would be good if there was some kind of discount time . So hope it is going to look into that.
A season ticket would also be a good idea if it provided a decent discount.

Just hope its not going to come back as absolutely low com denom in what its choosing to show. It did cater somewhat to arthouse tastes to at times before.

Redkite200 · 05-07-2021 9:14am

Off topic slightly as not the Eye but went to the IMC (formerly 'Omniplex') on the Headford Rd.

A few observations, they could do with some ticket machines like you see in more modern cinemas for ticket collection to speed up the process of queueing.
The checkout process is (obviously) geared towards people buying ridiculously overpriced sweets, soft drinks and popcorn but with the amount of kids movies these days that's an easy market to aim for so understandable I suppose.

The staff were friendly and professional. One minor gripe was that while watching the film we went to see in screen 6, you could in quiet parts of the movie, fairly clearly hear the sound from next door in screen 7 which was quite distracting at times.

On top of that the staff came in to check tickets of some people up the back and the staff member's hair was in the projector line so we had a silhouette of his head on screen for about 5 mins while he sorted out some issue which was a bit of a distraction to say the least, dunno what was going on but they had to come in and out 3-4 times and check a few different groups tickets and move a group of people down a couple of rows.

This is far from a rant or anything, otherwise it was a good experience, the socially distanced seating is great and the seating itself since I was there last (many moons ago!) seems to be have greatly improved, the toilets were all clean, lots of sanitizer and so on. The trailers didn't go on infinitely, the film we went to see came on I'd say less than 10 mins from the advertised start time as well.

chuky_r_law · 02-09-2021 11:08am

Is it curtains for the EYE? It was the best cinema in town imo. There hasn't been a peep outta them since they shut shop in March 2020.

Salthill is handy for me but €14 is a pricey ticket, even if the seats are pretty comfy. Is there any cinema doing midweek deals?

Are there no late night shows anywhere at the weekend? Tis a pity...would be a handy place for a bag of cans after the pubs close 😃

sgthighway · 02-09-2021 6:03pm

I was in traffic on the Dublin Rd outside it and I could see people inside it last week in the section upstairs after where you hand in your ticket. Hopefully they are cleaning it up for reopening as there are a lot of films out in last quarter this year.

cena · 02-09-2021 11:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058207016/eye-cinema

Roscommon cinema does an offer medium coke, popcorn, and ticket for ten euro

sphinx501 · 03-09-2021 9:14pm

I am looking for a dash cam install in a Tiguan, is there any recommendations for anyone doing this in the North Dublin area?

Halfords offer the service, however I have not heard of any recent experiences from anyone and if they would do a full install i.e. hidden cables completely.

beachhead · 04-09-2021 1:09am

There has been a similar post here.Before the crash of the site,so anyones guess where it is now.I have installed my own in 2 cars.It's easy just with front screen if the trim is "loose".Rear camera -more trim,more effort.Plastic tool supplied with dash cam.The A pillar will be the hardest part for you.Maybe you have some plastic kitchen utensils to lift the plastic trim a little-nothing with sharp edges-if they slip and cut you or break the paint.

GerardKeating · 04-09-2021 11:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058207016/eye-cinema

Before COVID, they were briefly in administration, and taken over by the Omniplex Group, but i think that was reveresed.

They website is still live, so at least they are still paying the hosting charges.

handpref · 04-09-2021 7:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058207265/dash-cam-installer-dublin

Can’t pm ya but Greg Phillips auto & audio comes recommended. He was mentioned in one of the missing threads at one stage, quality work.

Laviski · 05-09-2021 7:56am

It was the imc group if I recall

beardybrewer · 05-09-2021 10:26am

Here's the last thread on this: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117452292#Comment_117452292

Man, the new site is terrible. I couldn't easily search just this sub.

chuky_r_law · 05-09-2021 4:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117839060#Comment_117839060

i hope you're right

biko · 05-09-2021 4:27pm

Old and new threads merged.

rh5555 · 25-09-2021 3:32pm

I think there might be sign of life for the Eye. I noticed that they have this info on top of their website saying: 'We would like to thank all of our customers for their continued patience and support. We are proud to share that the EYE Cinema will be reopening this Autumn. Please check back soon for confirmed dates.' Maybe this was there last year too but I never noticed it.

Also, they have now a few 'No time to Die' showings listed from 30.09. on their website which seems to be a good sign.

Bobeagleburger · 25-09-2021 4:14pm

Seemed to be some painting and decorating going on the outside of the building today. Hopefully it's reopening soon.

Steveimitation · 26-09-2021 4:41pm

It is indeed reopening soon. They have confirmed so on their website.

GerardKeating · 26-09-2021 7:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117941983#Comment_117941983

And there are new rugs on the floor in the entrance to the EYE cinema , with “Yes we are open” written on them...

Bobeagleburger · 26-09-2021 9:57pm

That's good news. More choice needed on the cinema front.

Homelander · 27-09-2021 12:48am

Cinema in Salthill is hands down the best but delighted the Eye is reopening. It's far more convenient for me personally and the Oranmore IMC is awful. They seem to have, at long last, made some investment in it lately after years of constant issues, shabby presentation, etc, but it's still not great. Crazy really given how the location would indicate it should be cleaning up.

Stevolende · 27-09-2021 11:52am

I just went past their link on a set of bookmarks I was looking of r something else on.

So thought I'd see if there were any updates and lo& Behold they are reopening this Wednesday.

Seems like Wednesday's goingto be their one cheap day again. Shame they dropped teh Early bird offer which they had kept for years. I assume offers like taht reflect when a cinema is quiet. Not sure how things work out in terms of why they would run a film to very small audience what the economy of things like that are.

Has been nice to be in a quiet cinema at times though. JUst the idea of running a film to an audience of possibly one or two people as opposed to not having to heat a room or whatever. I'm sure there is a reason for and against the practise but would like to know what is factored in.

Is it love of cinema vs trying to make a profit or anything?

Buddy74 · 27-09-2021 7:04pm

Great!!! Hassle to get to the others. I can stroll down and back from my house would have been a lost to this side of the city.

Also great to see it opening for employees as well!!

Arghus · 28-09-2021 9:41pm

Great to see it's back.

Stevolende · 29-09-2021 11:41pm

Oddly they reopened today without having done anything about the sign on the Dublin road not having the name on it still. THought that was an indication throughout the past year that it was unlikely that they would reopen. But now that they have I'm surprised that wasn't replaced. I did go by while the shutters were still locked then wound up waiting for the bus at the stop there and didn't think of looking at the stairs while i was there on the way back out. So maybe it did get done over the afternoon.

Would think that they would use that side of the building to advertise tehy had reopened. Always found it odd that there is an advertising hoarding thing above where taht set of stairs and door is that was never used to show what films were on. Would think that they would want to try to catch the eyes of passing traffic on that road.

Presumably getting enough not to use it?

ben.schlomo · 30-09-2021 5:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117957236#Comment_117957236

Because people driving by at 50kph will be looking up to find out screen times? Hardly strange now is it.

30-09-2021 7:48am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117957236#Comment_117957236

I'm sure they were eager to get the doors opened for the Bond release and that might have caused delay.

Fitz* · 08-10-2021 2:03pm

Anyone been yet? Booked in to go tomorrow night and just wondering on waiting / queuing times.

Cheshire Cat · 08-10-2021 11:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117993058#Comment_117993058

I was there tonight, very quiet. Not a queue to be seen.

flazio · 17-10-2021 12:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117957236#Comment_117957236

I think you need planning permission for signage like that and as others have said, it could cause a traffic hazard if presenting motorists with too much irrelevant information.

Went to see No Time To Die a couple of weeks ago. A lot of shows around the time I was going were shown as sold out but the one I went to seemed quiet enough. I think they are being very cautious on capacity. Something like 50 in a screen capable of holding 500 previously. The security/manager guy was talking to a couple in front of me in the queue and he was saying there were plans to refurbish the screens next year.

Stevolende · 18-10-2021 10:31am

Traffic is frequently stood still at that point. Also people walk by there and pass on buses etc .

Just seems odd that there is no postyering of current films or visible list of what is actually showing directed at a main thorougfhfare. Would think they might have posters up insiode the windows even . I was thinking more having it visible what was showing not at what times etc which would be more attention intensive. Are they getting a constant flow of custom anyway so not needing that added passing custom .

I saw they had started showing films in teh afternoon again . Still not sure how many people go at that timem I thought the initial times when thye retirned a couple of weeks back started a bit later. I liked teh Early bird offer when it was any film starting before 2.30pm Mon-Thurs and a bit earlier on the buisiest days, I'm still not getting the business model as to why films needed to be shown when there wasn't going to be an audience of more than a handful , assumed it might be tec needing to be warmed up or something. & not sure what happened if a film just had nobody turn up for the afternoon showing. Was it not shown or is the presence of a paying audience at taht time seen asa bonus up until a certian point. Assuming it may have had something to do with partially defunct technology but not sure. One of those once you've turned the machine on it costs more to turn it back off and on again than to keep it runniing or something?

Do at least have a cheap day o Wednesday at the moment i guess.

Is the Eye Cinema due to reopen?

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