Cinema Paradiso — Work on art house cinema to resume in coming weeks
By Kernan Andrews
Despite work on the Solas Picture Palace Art House Cinema having stopped for the last few months it looks as if work will be able to begin on the site again soon.
Work was stopped on the cinema site in mid-2010 due to a health and safety issue and engineering works had to be re-examined. The Galway Advertiser understands that after long discussions a solution to the engineering issues has been found, and this will allow work to re-commence on the site in the coming weeks.
It is also understood that despite claims and queries from councillors at Monday’s meeting, there are no legal or financial difficulties with the cinema.
In March 2009, the Galway City Council granted planning permission for the new Solas Picture Palace Art House Cinema, and work began on the site at 15 Lower Merchants Road when Labour party president Michael D Higgins ‘turned the sod’ that July.
The cinema is planned to have three screens with a ground floor café, first floor bar, book/videoshop, offices, and ticket booth.
At Monday’s city council meeting, councillors asked what had happened to construction of the cinema and if there are any legal, financial, or other problems which have stopped or stalled progress.
Labour councillor Colette Connolly proposed that the Solas group, which is behind the cinema, be asked to make a presentation at an upcoming council meeting on what the situation is. Temporary City manager, Joe O’Neill, agreed and said he will be writing to the group asking it to address the councillors.