FUTURE uses for the old Mars cinema are to be discussed at a walk-in clinic in Kilrush next Thursday.
Tourism Development International in conjunction with Clare County Council and Kilrush Town Team, are inviting local people and business owners of Kilrush and West Clare to attend the walk-in clinic in the Town Hall, Kilrush from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday (October 3rd) to discuss the future use of the old cinema building on Frances Street.
Designed by Patrick Tubridy, Mars Cinema was established in 1950. The Tubridy family previously operated another theatre called The Palace Theatre at John’s Street from 1920 to 1950 which showed the silent films of the day. The Mars itself with a 850 seater theatre with 600 seats in the ballroom and another 250 seats in the balcony. It was the home of the Kilrush Operatic Society from 1951 to 1966 and Kilrush Boxing Club used the building in the 1980s.
A 3,310 square foot building, the former cinema is located on Ireland’s second widest street. It closed its doors in 1991 and was acquired by Clare County Council for €175,000 in March 2023 through Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding.
Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) who is also a member of Kilrush Town Team stressed, “It is vital that as many people as possible come down to the Town Hall to have their say on the Mars Cinema. The commissioning of a Feasibility Study is a priority project for the Council along with the work being done by Kilrush Town Team to get locals involved and provide better community facilities and infrastructure. The old Mars Cinema has happy memories for so many people around Kilrush, from family days out to their first time ever seeing a film. Now is the time for the local community to come together and tell us what they want the old cinema to be for this generation and those to come”.
