Academy Award-winning actor Cillian Murphy and his wife, artist Yvonne McGuinness, have embarked on a very exciting venture: purchasing the historic Phoenix Cinema in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland. Such a purchase represents a deeply personal and cultural milestone for the couple, who have plans for new energy to be injected into the beloved landmark-with full acceptance of its storied legacy.
Nestled in the heart of Dingle, the Phoenix Cinema has been a cultural cornerstone in this part of the world since its opening in 1919. Built by Jimmy and Johnny Houlihan, the venue sprang from the ashes, literally, after devastating fires in both 1921 and 1938. An added art deco façade and striking mosaic of a phoenix after its second rebuild evoke continued spirit. This cinema has been a home to films, concerts, and dances over the decades, serving to create lifetime memories among locals and visitors alike.
Recognized by Time Out as one of the top 50 cinemas in the UK and Ireland, The Phoenix is uniquely placed as the only one of its type in any of Ireland’s Gaeltacht areas, a place of Irish culture and language. For Murphy, whose career is filled with transformative performances in Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight trilogy, The Phoenix is close to his heart. “I have been going to see films in The Phoenix since I was a young lad on summer holidays,” he said.
My dad watched films there when he was a young man, before I was born; we have watched numerous films at The Phoenix with our own children, and we’re proud of what the cinema does for Dingle.
McGuiness also joked about this when he told reporters, “We want to open the doors again, expand the creative potential of the site, and re-establish its place in the cultural fabric of this unique town.”.
It has been closed since 2021 owing to increased expenses and less crowd. Buying a cinema is a hope for its revival. Renovations by Murphy and McGuinness will start in 2025, looking to reimagine it as a multidisciplinary creative space. Films will remain at the core of its offerings, but there’s a wider role the space may play for this couple: one hosting cultural events, live performances, and educational programs. The programming will also look toward its heritage as a Gaeltacht, with screening of Irish-language films, and it will celebrate the traditions of the area.
For over a century, The Phoenix has provided a meeting hub, building bridges while sustaining links to the artistic and cinematic past of Dingle. It has seen Rory Gallagher play in 1964 to Ryan’s Daughter-which was shot on location-beguiled the cinema audiences in 1972. This commitment of the couple to preserve that legacy really resonates deeply within the community. The plans of Murphy and McGuinness are to make sure that The Phoenix will be a continuing cultural beacon into the future.
