PICTURES: Lights, camera, action as Limerick town's picture house returns after gap of 77 years

BRUFF’S cinema opened in O'Donovan's Hall    in 1922, perhaps as a respite from the Civil War that had consumed the country.

The picture house was last mentioned in the Kine Cinema book in 1948. Seventy seven years later Bruff re-entered the glory age of film as the Morning Star Picture House opened its doors at the weekend. 

The new venture, located in the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, offers a whole array of offerings, based mainly on old movies with a Limerick theme and locally-produced films. 

Chairman of the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre, Pat Hayes said the whirring of reels and the flickering images of long ago may be no more but the demand for tickets shows the hunger for cine-reels and old movies.

“The ‘sold out’ sign went up a mere 90 minutes after tickets went on sale for the two opening nights. The demand was incessant with promises, bartering and begging being the order of the day. And what an opening it was!

“Flanked by a profusion of cinematic memorabilia and an atmosphere resonating with old time glamour, the packed house revelled in the wonderful surroundings of the cinematic experience in the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre,” said Pat.

The movie shown - Ourselves Alone - was one never before seen in Bruff despite its local links. 

“The Caherguillamore Ambush-inspired movie enthralled all present. With the screenplay author, Major James Sturrock, having led British forces on that infamous night, his words rang loud and clear in Bruff for the first time in over a century.

“But this time to a vastly more relaxed and appreciative audience. And unlike the first night Sturrock arrived in Bruff, everyone was allowed to go home afterwards!” said Pat.

The idea of Morning Star Picture House is the brainchild of Bruff Heritage Group. Pat says they will open the cinema vaults one weekend every month for the people of county Limerick to view rarely-seen footage about, or inspired by, the locality. 

“The demand is huge and little else has been spoken about in Bruff this week. Ideally located, the picture house offers a wonderful night’s entertainment,” said Pat.

Committee members, Pat Lombard and Eileen Finn, were thrilled with the opening night’s success on Saturday.

“I have never seen bookings fly out the door like it,” said Pat. 

‘It has really grabbed attention in the area. People are always looking for a relaxed and enjoyable night out and they certainly got it in the picture house tonight!’ 

Eileen was equally effusive. 

“It was incredible. There is a real hunger for this type of facility in the area. All week people have been ringing looking for tickets,” she said.

READ MORE: Latest Darkness into Light event in Limerick launched

Caherguillamore is the theme again at 7.30pm on Friday, February 28 as Stephen Kelly gives a fascinating talk on the little studied subject of Caherguillamore - What happened next? The story of those arrested or surrounded that night. 

Pat says the full house signs will definitely be up for that too as Bruff draws cinema crowds like the good old days of the past.

For more information on the Morning Star Picture House please see the For more information on the Morning Star Picture House please see the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre Facebook page..

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