The Oscars may be over for another year but Donegal is looking to finally be awarded a new local cinema.
A new application has been by WJ Dolan Construction (Ireland) Limited has been submitted to Donegal County Council for a new complex on the outskirts of Donegal Town.
Plans have revealed a proposed two storey, 5 screen, 714 seat cinema, which would also include a cinema shop, as well as a small cinema restaurant.
The first application was turned down in 2017 due to concerns about access and traffic.
Computer generated images of the entertainment hub were also released:
Donegal Cinema CGI Images: Teague & Sally
Following the rezoning of the site as part of the Strategic Town Plan, the renewed proposals have continued to receive significant and vocal support from local residents.
None more so than Yvonne Callaghan, who set up a Facebook page to help mobilise support from the community for the plans. More than 2000 people joined the Facebook group “We Want Our Cinema” which launched the #saveourcinemaplans campaign in 2017.
Yvonne Callaghan explained: “I think it’s obvious that Donegal needs to have a cinema like any other significant town. That’s why I set up the Facebook page ‘We Want Our Cinema’. It is fantastic news that a new application has been submitted, after the disappointment of the previous application refusal. However, it resulted in thousands of local people getting behind the Facebook campaign to ensure we get our cinema.”
Ms Callagan said the group will be campaigning in support of the application in the coming days.
Donegal Cinema CGI Images: Teague & Sally
The last cinema in Donegal Town closed more than 20 years ago. The proposed cinema is located to the rear of the Lidl foodstore on Ballybofey Road, near the junction of the N16 and N56.
Willie John Dolan, of WJD Construction (Ireland) Limited, said:“Donegal is one of the few major centres in Ireland without a cinema. The last cinema in town closed more than 20 years ago, and was never replaced with a modern cinema complex. It represents a missed opportunity for the local economy, and because if people can’t go to the cinema here they will go elsewhere.
“We are grateful that the Council has rezoned the land, which allows us to bring forward a fresh application that will support this leisure and entertainment use. If our application is successful the real winner will be the Donegal residents who have called for this application to be approved.
“They will be able to enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters in their own town and will be able to take advantage of a new and exciting community and cultural hub. We hope that the energy and commitment of the local supporters is rewarded with the cinema that they want.”
The application has been prepared by planning consultants Turley, Director Brian Kelly added:
“This is an excellent opportunity to deliver new commercial uses that will complement the existing on site retail. The cinema will bring an important economic contributor providing long-term employment within the town. It will create jobs and deliver a new environment for people in the town to socialise.
“We have been able to engage constructively with the local community as well as their elected representatives. We would encourage town residents and councillors to support the application and look forward to working with Donegal County Council as this application progresses.”
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