Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has confirmed that the final allocation of funding (€255,000) will be made to complete the Picture Palace in Galway.
In a statement made by the Minister she confirmed also that Element Pictures, who also operate Dublin’s Light House Cinema, are to take over the management, completion, and operation of the new cinema, which is expected to open by mid-2017.
The new building, which is led by film-maker Lelia Doolan, is designed by architect Tom de Paor, with a window by the late Patrick Scott. Situated close to the Galway City Museum and Spanish Arch, the venue will include a three-screen cinema, a cafe, and bookshop.
Minister Humphreys statement said:
As the Galway Film Fleadh draws to a close and the city’s Arts Festival gets underway, I am pleased to confirm that Element Pictures will be taking over the operation of the Picture Palace in Galway. Element have a strong track record with the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin and will no doubt help to ensure that the Picture Palace is a great addition to Galway’s cultural scene.
My Department has been working in partnership with Galway City Council over the past year seeking to have construction on the Picture Palace recommenced after it ceased over two years ago. When I approved funding last August to kickstart the project, I was aware that a final tranche of funding would be required. Today I am approving an extra €255,000, with additional investment also being made by the Irish Film Board and Element Pictures.
Taxpayers have invested significantly in the Picture Palace since the project first started and it has not been without its challenges. The priority now must be to bring the project to completion for the benefit of Galway residents, visitors and film enthusiasts. When completed, the Picture Palace will be a state-of-the-art cinema located close to the historic Spanish Arch and just a stone’s throw from the Mick Lally Theatre (Druid).
I would like to acknowledge the input and support of Galway City Council, which has been instrumental in keeping faith in this project. I would also like to acknowledge the vision, passion and commitment which Leila Doolin showed for this project over many years. My Department will continue to work the City Council, the Irish Film Board and Element Pictures in the coming months to ensure the Picture Palace is completed and open to the public.
Commenting on the news Andrew Lowe, Element Pictures said
We are delighted that the plans to complete the construction and fit out of the Picture Palace are finally in place. Lelia Doolan and the Board of Solas have done a good job to get the project to this stage and we look forward to working with the Department, the Irish Film Board and Galway City Council to ensure that the cinema opens its doors by mid next year. We will work with Solas and the local arts community to position the Picture Palace in the heart of the cultural life of the city. We will bring the same passion for film and the customer experience that we apply to running the Light House cinema in Dublin and look forward to getting to know our Galway audience. The Picture Palace as conceived by Lelia Doolan, designed by Tom De Paor and built by Galway builders JJ Rhatigan will be a thing of beauty and we are proud to run it and look forward to showing it off to the city and the world from its opening in 2017.
As recently as this May concern had been raised that Galway City Council might pull its funding from the project, which has ran into a series of obstacles, mainly related to structural challenges, since it’s beginnings in 2009.
Thankfully all of this has been resolved and the UNESCO City of Film can look forward to having a new home for film in the city.