Cillian Murphy and his wife Yvonne McGuinness have long been avid supporters of the arts, and their two-year-long battle to restore a local Kerry cinema proves that.
The Oscar winner and his artist partner revealed they are "delighted" to have finally gotten the go-ahead to reopen the Phoenix cinema in Dingle.
The couple, who spend a lot of time in the Kerry coastal town, first bought the venue in 2024, with ambitions of turning the derelict building into an arts centre, while restoring the cinema.
What they paid was not disclosed, but the building had been listed for sale for €1.5million in 2022.
The Cork man and his Kilkenny-born wife released a statement on Tuesday, saying they are "excited" to go ahead with their plans after getting the go-ahead.
Kerry County Council granted Cillian and Yvonne planning permission earlier this year, though An Coimisiún Pleanála got involved when several third-party appeals were issued by local residents.
The couple plans to expand Phoenix Cinema to include a multi-disciplinary performance space, exhibition and rehearsal areas, a bar, café, and restaurant, artist studios, and a redesigned courtyard.
The cinema has been destroyed by two fires in its lifetime, in 1921 and 1938. Before shutting up shop during the Covid pandemic, the building had a 100-year legacy serving the local area.
It hosted stars like Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who made an appearance for the premiere of Far and Away in 1992.
"Daingean Uí Chúis/Dingle has waited decades for an arts centre, and the Phoenix will provide a much-needed space for community to gather, create and celebrate the unique culture, heritage, and creativity of this special place,” the couple's statement read, according to the Irish Examiner.
“We’re excited about the opportunities this space will create for both the people of Dingle and the wider Irish arts community."
“Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. We look forward to the next chapter as we work together to bring this vision to life.”
Cillian and Yvonne revealed they also submitted a Category 1 Rural Regeneration Development Fund application to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta) with Kerry County Council as lead partner.
