Developer reels out housing plan for Limerick town's old cinema

A DEVELOPER has signalled his intention to seek planning permission to develop at the former cinema in Rathkeale.

John Sheridan is planning to seek the green light from council to retain the old art-deco cinema - a protected structure - and build a new two-storey townhouse to its rear.

The Central Cinema, as it was called, opened in 1945, but closed in 1974, and has been largely out of use since then.

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Despite that, it remains a striking landmark in Rathkeale’s Main Street.

Mr Sheridan is set to seek permission to demolish the old auditorium of the cinema which is not protected.

This corrugated iron-covered barrel roof has fallen into disrepair.

The art-deco front facade of the former cinema will stay, including the ground floor lobby, and the former projection room on the first floor.

What is kept, the developer says, will be improved on, with the new two-storey, four bedroomed house and a private garden at its rear.

“The layout has been sympathetically designed to incorporate the existing features into the front elevation, retaining the essential character of the protected structure with the new rear and side elevations designed in the art-deco style with curved corner widows, recessed and projecting plastered bands and horizontal fenestration,” agents for the developer have stated.

It’s anticipated the front of the cinema will be repaired where necessary and repainted.

A new front door will provide access, with windows replaced with opening dark grey aluminium double glazed windows.

The existing entrance doors shall be replaced with a dark grey aluminium glazed screen to replicate the existing Art Deco design, agents have added.

The developer has said the proposal has been designed to ensure there is no overlooking of any neighbouring properties.