Old cinema in Laois bought for enterprise centre
The old Savoy Cnema in Portarlington, featuring an Into the West mural by ADW
AN old cinema is set to become an enterprise space following its sale to Laois County Council.
The council is currently finalising the purchase of the former Savoy Cinema in Portarlington, which featured in the hit 1992 film and has been vacant for many years.
The council plans to explore the landmark building’s potential to create a new town centre enterprise space.
The property on Market Square was placed on the sales market with local estate agent Matt Dunne, with a guide price of €300,000 and is now marked sale agreed.
Commenting on the news today, Cllr Aidan Mullins said: “This is welcome as the Portarlington Enterprise Centre on Canal Road is at full capacity.
“This will also assist in the continuing upgrade of the Market Square and in the implementation of the Portarlington Regeneration Strategy.”
The ground floor of the imposing three-storey building extends to 4,000sq ft, with a staircase to a balcony overlooking the auditorium.
The cinema opened in the mid-1940s and closed in 1989, before it was taken over by a new operator. It reopened in 1990 but eventually closed down for good and was boarded up and derelict by 2017.
The decayed frontage got a much-needed facelift in 2019 when it was decorated with a mural by Dublin artist ADW, inspired by . The cinema featured in the film which was subsequently screened in the church next door.
