The Phoenix Dingle

23/12/2025

We greatly value all the messages of support we have received since the purchase of The Phoenix last year. We have engaged extensively with the local community and developed a design that we feel holds the spirit of this engagement.

We are pleased to announce that we recently lodged our planning application with Kerry County Council for a not-for-profit Arts Centre and cinema on The Phoenix site.

We remain committed to ongoing engagement as the process unfolds and all ideas and suggestions are welcome.

All positive observations to our planning application, available at www.kerrycoco.ie are encouraged

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas🎄

.mcclure.pd

Is mór linn na teachtaireachtaí tacaíochta ar fad a fuaireamar ó cheannaíomar a Phoenix anuraidh. Táimid tar éis dul i gcomhairle ar shlí leanúnach leis an bpobal áitiúil agus tá dearadh forbartha againn go bhfuilimid den tuairim go bhfuil anáil na comhairle seo le brath air.

Táimid thar a bheith sásta a fhógairt go gcuirimear isteach ár n-iarratas pleanála ag Comhairle Contae Chiarraí le déanaí i gcomhair ionad Ealaíon agus pictiúrlann neamhbhrabúis ar shuíomh an Phoenix.

Táimid tiomnaithe i gcónaí a bheith ag leanúint ar aghaidh ag tabhairt cluas d’bhúr dtuairimí agus moltaí agus cuirfear fáilte rompu siúd is an próiseas ag dul chun cinn.

Cuirfear fáilte, leis, roimh gach aighneacht dearfach i leith ár n-iarratas pleanála atá ar fáil ag www.kerrycoco.ie

Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir

10/10/2025

🎉 Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Kerry T.D Norma Foley has announced confirmation of €933,000 in funding for the Di**le Phoenix cinema redevelopment project.
Speaking about the announcement, custodians of the Phoenix, Yvonne McGuinness and Cillian Murphy, say:

“We are both thrilled with the announcement that we have received the Rural Regeneration Development funding which will enable us to do full feasibility and design studies to reimagine The Phoenix cinema.
We would like to thank the Department of Rural and Community Development, Kerry County Council, and our team who have worked so hard alongside the community of Di**le and its hinterland for the groundswell of support we have received over the last few months. This support will help us in our journey to reimagine this unique cultural space for the community who so richly deserve it.”

✨

D’fhógair an t-Aire do Leanaí, Míchumais agus Chomhionannais agus Teachta Dála do Chiarraí, Norma Foley deimhniú go bhfuil €933,000 de mhaoiniú ceadaithe do thionscadal athfhorbartha phictiúrlann an Phoenix sa Daingean.
Ag labhairt dóibh faoin bhfógra seo, is é a dúirt caomhnóirí an Phoenix, Yvonne McGuinness agus Cillian Murphy:

“Tá áthas an domhain ar an mbeirt againn leis an bhfógra go bhfuil maoiniú Forbartha Athnuachana Tuaithe á chur ar fáil dúinn, rud a chuirfidh ar ár gcumas staidéir iomlána féidearthachta agus deartha a dhéanamh mar chuid d’athshamhlú phictiúrlann an Phoenix.
Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabháil leis an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, Comhairle Contae Chiarraí, agus ár bhfoireann atá tar éis a bheith ag obair chomh dian san, chomh maith le pobal an Daingin agus an cheantair mháguaird as an maidhm thacaíochta a bhraitheamar uathu le roinnt míonna anuas. Cabhróidh an tacaíocht seo linn inár dturas chun an spás cultúrtha seo ar leith a athshamhlú don bpobal a bhfuil a leithéid tuilte go maith acu.”

29/09/2025

At our ‘Sketching’ session, participants imagined the Phoenix as an “arts village.” This idea has since become central to the project. As Yvonne McGuinness noted in Saturday’s ‘Proposing’ session, for the Phoenix to survive and thrive, it must grow beyond its role as a cinema to become a dynamic cultural village.

Laura Brock spoke of how crucial matters such as drainage, logistics and ecology are being sensitively responded to - and of the vast series of technical studies being undertaken to ensure that the project represents best practice in its sensitivity to its neighbours, the environment and the broader ecology of the town and its hinterland.

& architect Andrew Clancy presented developed design proposals, showing how building heights have been carefully calibrated to respect surrounding streetscapes. The scheme introduces new, characterful gables that sit comfortably within Di**le’s vibrant patchwork of roofs, yards, and sheds. This is a design rooted in the language of Di**le - its forms, its rhythms, and its spirit. ❤️

.mcclure.pd

Ag an seisiún Ag Sceitseáil shamhlaigh rannpháirtithe an Phoenix mar “shráidbhaile ealaíon”. Tá áit lárnach bainte amach ag an gcoincheap seo sa tionscadal ó shin. Mar a dúirt Yvonne McGuinness, chun go mairfidh a Phoenix, ní mór dó fás ó bheith ina phictiúrlann amháin le bheith ina sráidbhaile bríomhar cultúrtha.  

Labhair Laura Brock faoin tslí go bhfuiltear ag freagairt ar bhealach íogair do cheisteanna ríthábhachtacha ar nós draenála, loigisticí agus eiceolaíochta, agus faoin sraith thoirtiúil de staidéir theicniúla atá idir lámha chun a chinntiú go mbíonn an tionscadal ag teacht le deachleachtas maidir lena íogaireacht i leith a chomharsan, na timpeallachta, agus éiceolaíocht níos leithne an bhaile agus an cheantair mháguaird.

Chuir an t-ailtire Andrew Clancy na moltaí reatha deartha i láthair, ag taispeáint mar a bhfuil airde na bhfoirgneamh curtha in oiriúint ar shlí cháiréiseach do na sráid-dreacha mórthimpeall ar an suíomh...
(Continued in comments 👇)

28/09/2025

Yesterday marked the third in a series of public consultations inviting local voices into the reimagining of the Phoenix Cinema.

We’ll have more details for you on the session in the coming days, but for now, thank you so much to everyone who contributed ideas so generously.

Your input remains vital, and suggestions are welcomed at [email protected]

.mcclure.pd

•••••••••••••

Inné reachtáladh an triú sheisiún comhairliúcháin poiblí inár sraith, ag tabhairt cuireadh do dhaoine áitiúla labhairt faoi athshamhlú Phictiúrlann anahoenix.
Beidh a thuilleadh sonraí againn díbh faoin seisiún seo sna laethanta amach romhainn, ach idir an dá linn, Gabhaimid buíochas ó chroí le gach éinne a bhí páirteach agus a roinn a dtuairimí go fial linn.
Tá bhúr n-ionchur fós ríthábhachtach, agus cuirfear fáilte roimh tuairimí agus smaointe ag [email protected]

28/08/2025

📣 Public Consultation Continues - ‘Proposing’📣

Following the enthusiastic response to ‘Listening’ in June and ‘Sketching’ earlier this month, we’re moving into the next phase of the Phoenix Di**le project: ‘Proposing’, taking place Sat 27th Sept.

The 3pm session is now fully booked - a second session at 5pm is now open. Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-phoenix-public-consultation-session-proposing-tickets-1629939867019?aff=erelpanelorg

The consultation will be led by Laura Brock of Brock McClure Planning Consultants, Andrew Clancy of Clancy Moore Architects, creative director and producer Mary Hickson, and visual artist Yvonne McGuinness, who is also co-custodian of the Phoenix. Each brings a different lens to the project, helping ensure that design ideas are grounded in both vision and practicality.

At its core, the new Phoenix will be a cultural village – a not-for-profit rooted in cinema but reaching far beyond it. Alongside film screenings, the revitalised space will include areas for live performance, rehearsals, music practice, meetings, and small theatre. There are also plans for artists’ studios, a project room, a gallery, a community ‘living room’, and an outdoor garden space designed for conversation and reflection.

The team envisions a place that serves locals and visitors alike – open year around, and alive with creativity, shaped by the people who live here.

📧 Can’t make it? Please feel free to email us your thoughts: [email protected]

📸 Manuela dei Grandi

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📣Leantar leis an gcomhairliúchán poiblí: “Ag Moladh”📣

Ag leanúint ón bhfreagra dhíograiseach ar ‘Ag Éisteacht’ i Meitheamh agus ‘Ag Sceitseáil’ níos luaithe an mhí seo, táimid ag bogadh ar aghaidh go dtí an chéad chéim eile i dtionscadal Phoenix an Daingin: ‘Ag Moladh’, a bheidh á reachtáil Satharn 27ú Meán Fómhair i bPictiúrlann an Phoenix.

Tá an seisiún ag 3in anois lán – tá an tarna seisiún ag 5in anois oscailte d’áirithintí ar Eventbrite.

Ag stiúradh an sheisiúin chomhairliúcháin arís beidh Laura Brock ó Brock McClure Consultants, Andrew Clancy de chuid Clancy Moore Architects, an stiúrthóir cruthaitheach agus léirithoir Mary Hickson agus an amharc-ealaíontóir Yvonne McGuinness gurb í comh-úinéir an Phoenix chomh maith. Tugann gach duine acu leo radharc éagsúil ar an tionscadal, ag cabhrú chun a chinntiú go mbeidh idir fhís agus phraiticiúlacht ag baint leis na smaointe dearaidh.

Go bunúsach, beidh an Phoenix nua ina shrádbhaile cultúrtha – ionad seachbhrabúsach fréamhaithe i saol na scannán, ach ag síneadh amach i bhfad thairis san. Anuas ar léirithe scannán, beidh limistéir sa spás athbheoite do thaibhiú beo, cleachtadh drámaíochta agus ceoil, cruinnithe agus amharclannaíocht ar scála beag. Tá pleananna sa treis, leis, i gcomhair stiúidiónna amharc-ealaíne, seomra tionscadail, gailearaí, 'seomra suí' poiblí agus spás gáirdín lasmuigh deartha ar mhaithe comhrá agus machnaimh.

Tá an fhoireann ag súil le hionad a dhéanfaidh freastal ar mhuintir na háite agus ar chuairteoirí araon – oscailte ó cheann ceann na bliana, ag cur thar maol le cruthaitheacht, agus múnlaithe ag na daoine a mhaireann anseo.

📧 Ní féidir leat a bheith linn? Cuirfear fáilte roimh do smaointe ar rphost ag [email protected]

18/08/2025

On Saturday 16th August, we held our second public consultation “Sketching” - inviting the community into the evolving vision for the reimagined Phoenix Cinema. Held in the auditorium, the event featured a projected architectural model and presentations from Andrew Clancy () and Laura Brock (.mcclure.pd).

Yvonne McGuinness and Billy Mag Fhloinn opened the day, placing the Irish language and community voices at the heart of the process. Creative producer Mary Hickson shared how the new Phoenix will bring energy and shelter to Di**le, especially in the winter months.

The team acknowledged the crucial support of , who are partnering with us to pursue Rural Regeneration funding to help realise this ambitious project.

The emerging design draws from Di**le’s historic townscape and community spirit, while also reflecting international best practices from creative spaces in Belgium, London, Johannesburg and Barcelona.

The result? More than a cinema.
The proposed ‘cultural village’ will include:
🎬 Spaces for film, theatre, live music
🎭 Bookable rooms for meetings, rehearsals, or music
🎨 Artist studios, project spaces & a gallery
🛋️ A shared ‘living room’ and garden

A building that’s robust, flexible and welcoming to all — young and old, locals and visitors.

A place for everyone, every day — vibrant in winter, open year-round.

All 3 sessions were fully booked, and we’re deeply grateful for all who attended or sent in contributions. Your input continues to shape the final design.

📅 Next up: “Proposing” – 27th September 2025
🔗 Register via Eventbrite (link in bio)
📸 Photo by

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Ar Shatharn 16ú Lúnasa bhí an tarna sheisiún comhairliúcháin poiblí  againn, “Ag Sceitseáil”, ag tabhairt cuireadh don bpobal isteach inár bhfís d’athshamhlú phictiúrlann an Phoenix atá fós ag teacht chun cinn. Reachtáladh an imeacht i seomra mór na pictiúrlainne féin, le macasamhail ailtireachta den suíomh agus na foirgnimh mar a bheidh, agus cur i láthair ó Andrew Clancy (Clancy Moore Architects) agus Laura Brock (Brock McClure Consultants).

…. Continued in comments…

17/08/2025

Your new Phoenix.

Thanks to everyone who came to our Saturday sketching consultation session. We had full houses again and there was a lovely energy in the room. We were bowled over by the incredible generousity of insight and advice from all who came. We deeply appreciate it.
As we sheltered in our Phoenix, the thunder clapped outside it felt like quite a moment.
There has been a monumental amount of work to get to this stage and a lot more to come if we are to meet our funding deadlines. But with the groundswell of support and positivity it makes the work a joy and we are doing everything we can to deliver.

Please reach out with any comments and queries to [email protected]

…

Bhúr Phoenix nua.

Ár mbuíochas le gach éinne a bhí i láthair ag ár seisiún comhairliúcháin Ag Sceitseáil ar an Satharn. Bhí tigh lán go béal againn arís agus fuinneamh álainn le braistint sa seomra. Baineadh siar asainn ag flaithiúlacht dhochreidte a raibh i láthair, ó thaobh na tuisceana agus an eolais a bhí á roinnt. Táimid thar a bheith buíoch as.
Ní dócha go ndéanfaim dearúd ar a bheith faoi fhothain inár Phoenix agus an toirneach ag tormáil lasmuigh.
Cuireadh lear ollmhór oibre i gcrích cheana féin chun sinn a thabhairt chomh fada seo, agus beidh go leor eile i gceist más ea go bhfuilimid chun a bheith in am do sprioclá ár gcuid maoinithe. Ach leis an maidhm mhór tacaíochta agus dearfachta uaibhse is pléasúrtha an chúram é, agus táimid ag déanamh gach iarracht an aidhm sin a bhaint amach.

Cuirtear fáilte fós roimh mholtaí agus ceisteanna ag [email protected]

❤️

16/08/2025

Reimagining. Remaking. Renewing.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined today’s Sketching public consultation sessions. Your ideas, insights, and questions are helping shape the future of The Phoenix.

We’ll be sharing a recap soon.

📅 Save the date:�Our final consultation, Proposing, will take place at 3pm on Saturday, 27th September. This session will include a site walk and offer another chance for you to contribute your voice and vision.

Join the conversation. Help shape The Phoenix’s next chapter.

Photographer credit: Manuela Dei Grandi

……….

Ag athshamhlú. Ag athchruthú. Ag Athnuachan.

Buíochas ó chroí le gach éinne a bhí páirteach i seisiúin comhairliúcháin phoiblí Ag Sceitseáil inniu. Tá bhúr smaointí, léargais agus ceisteanna ag cabhrú chun todhchaí an Phoenix a mhúnlú. Beidh achoimre á roinnt againn go luath.

📅 Sábháil an dáta: Beidh ár seisiún comhairliúcháin deireanach, Ag Moladh, ar siúl ag 3in ar Shatharn, 27ú Meán Fómhair. Beidh siúlóid ar an suíomh ina cuid den seisiún, anuas ar dheis eile díbh bhúr nguth agus bhúr bhfís a roinnt.

Glac páirt sa chomhrá. Cabhraigh chun céad chaibidil eile de scéal a Phoenix a mhúnlú.

Creidiúint ghrianghrafadóra: Manuela Dei Grandi

28/07/2025

Update: Our 3pm ‘Sketching’ consultation event is now fully booked- thank you for the incredible response.

To make sure more voices can be heard, we’ve added a second session on the same day:

📍 The Phoenix Cinema, Di**le
📆 Saturday, 16th August
🕟 New time: 4:30–5:30pm
🎙️ Same speakers, same opportunity to contribute
📝 Register now via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/consultation-sketching-tickets-1490885682209?aff=oddtdtcreator
📩 Can’t make it? Email your ideas to [email protected]

Join the conversation. Help shape The Phoenix’s next chapter.

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Uasdátú: Tá ár n-imeacht comhairliúcháin ‘Ag Sceitseáil’ ag a 3in anois lán – go raibh maith agaibh as an éileamh dochreidte.

Chun a chinntiú go bhféadfaí níos mó guthanna a chloisint, tá an tarna seisiún anois le bheith againn ar an lá céanna:

📍 The Phoenix Cinema, an Daingin
📆 Satharn, 16 Lúnasa
🕠Am nua: 4.30-5.30in
📝 Cláraigh ar Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/consultation-sketching-tickets-1490885682209?aff=oddtdtcreator
📩 Mura mbeidh tú in ann a bheith i láthair, is féidir leat fós moltaí/smaointí a chur chughainn ag [email protected]

Glac páirt sa chomhrá. Cabhraigh chun céad chaibidil eile de scéal a Phoenix a mhúnlú.

22/07/2025

The team behind The Phoenix Di**le invites the local community to the next stage of its public consultation series: ‘Sketching’, on Saturday, 16th August at 3pm. Whether you’ve been involved from the start or are just learning about the project, your voice matters.

📍 The Phoenix Cinema, Di**le

📆 Saturday, 16th August, 3pm

📝 Register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1433484222899?aff=oddtdtcreator

📩 Can’t make it? Email ideas to [email protected]

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘅’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿.

𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵 - 𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘭 𝘒𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘺
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Tugann Phoenix an Daingin cuireadh don bpobal teacht ag an gcéad seuisiún comhairliúcháin phoiblí eile: ‘Ag Sceitseáil’, Satharn, 16 Lúnasa ag 3in. Is cuma an raibh tú bainteach ón tús nó díreach tar éis cloisint faoin tionscadal, tá do ghuth-sa tábhachtach.

📍 The Phoenix Cinema, an Daingin

📆 Satharn, 16 Lúnasa ag 3in

📝 Cláraigh: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1433484222899?aff=oddtdtcreator

📩 Mura mbeidh tú in ann a bheith i láthair, is féidir leat fós moltaí/smaointí a chur chughainn ag [email protected]

Glac páirt sa chomhrá. Cabhraigh chun céad chaibidil eile de scéal an Phoenix a mhúnlú.

Creidiúint ghrianghrafadóra: Mikel Kelly

18/06/2025