Limerick's Life

Up until the 1970s the cinemas in Limerick were a very important form of entertainment and as such there were many kinds catering to the varied population. Almost each district had its own cinema showing both the popular movies of the time as well as repeats from the past.
The cinemas were not only used as movie theatres but as concert halls and dance venues.
In the 1950s some of the cinema in Limerick were renowned for there "flea-pits" sections of the cinemas that were so dirty that you were bound to leave with a bite or two from some marauding insect.
Now there is no full time cinema in the city centre, the nearest being in Castletroy or Dooradoyle.

On George's Quay, this picture of the cinema (on the left) was taken in the 1930s.

This was on North Sexton Street in Thomondgate, it was owned by the O'Donoghue family who also owned a bakery across the street. It was a two tiered cinema with wooden benches on the floor and plush seats on the balcony.

This was on the corner of Henry Street and Shannon Street.

This was on O'Connell Street and closed in the early 1950s. The building now houses the Belltable Arts Centre.

{Image courtesy of Noel Hanley}

Grand Central, Later known as the Central Studios situated on Bedford Row, the building in which it stood was originally built as a Primitive Wesleyan Methodist preaching house in 1812.

This is the only cinema still in use, the Belltable Arts centre uses it for its film club.

On Glentworth Street, this closed in 1964.

On Sexton Street.

On Cecil Street ran from 1939 - 1975.

Situated on Bedford Row this was the site of two cinemas of the same name.
The first opened in 1935, with the film "Brewsters Millions" it closed in 1974 and was demolished in 1988.

The second of which was most recent of all the cinemas in Limerick, it was built in the early 1990s and abandoned in the early 2000s. Above the cinema was a bowling alley from which the breaks of the skittles could be heard during the film.

On Gerald Griffins Street.

Situated on Nicholas Street, it can be seen here in a photograph from the early 1970s. Styx, snooker hall now occupies the building.

Situated on Charlotte's Quay.