Landmark Laois Hollywood cinema could have an enterprising future

A Laois cinema made famous in the Hollywood hit Into The West, which starred Gabriel Byrne and Colm Meaney, could become a business enterprise centre.

The potential future use of the Savoy in Portarlington, which is adorned with a mural from the movie and has been bought by Laois County Council, was outlined to councillors at their February meeting in County Hall, Portlaoise. 

Portarlington Enterprise Centre’s Carol McCann and Mary Keogh were giving a presentation updating on their facility, which is full and also needs leak repairs and more toilets.

“We’ve been looking at how do we extend to another site, another location. We are at the very early stages of working with Laois County Council on the Savoy cinema and how we might work with that group to further develop the town centre.

"We are at the very early stages. As a board, we are keen that it will pay for itself. We want to have some community focus, for it not to be all about enterprises. But it has to pay the bills, and we will only proceed if we can prove that,” Ms McCann said.

Pictured: Mary Keogh, Carol McCann and Cllr Aidan Mullins. 

“We are very lucky that we have strong enterprise centres in this county. Portarlington is leading the way. As a local authority, we want to build on that success, and that’s why we have acquired the cinema.

“We see it as an opportunity to build on. When you’ve got 100% occupancy, then we know there’s an appetite for more spaces. We are trying to work with you to try and bring forward a solution, and a solution is on the Main Street of Portarlington.

"It also speaks to our regeneration ambitions for the town. I’m grateful you are engaging so positively on this venture," he said.

Cllr Aidan Mullins from the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District, congratulated the council for buying the Savoy.

He also welcomes the opening of the restored Market House in the square.

"It was €1.4million well spent. I am happy to say that the PCDA will be managing it, with Laois County Council. The only thing is this is only the first step to upgrade the public realm. We need to get funding to complete Market Square, for undergrounding wires. A lot of work is to be done still. Without it it won't have the same effect," Cllr Mullins said.

READ ALSO: Laois town centre residents and businesses to get up to €1,000 to help spruce up buildings

The Irish-produced film Into the West, starring Gabriel Byrne, Colm Meaney and Ellen Birkin, was partly filmed on location in the Savoy Cinema and at nearby Lea Castle in 1992. It told the story of two Traveller boys, Ossie and Tito and their epic adventures across Ireland with their horse Tír na nÓg.

A memorable scene, filmed in the Savoy, featured Ossie and Tito bringing their horse to a cinema matinee.

The mural on the building was created by the local resident and street artist ADW on the façade of old cinema to mark the link with Into the West. ADW’s mural was launched in 2019 as part of a Laois-wide celebration of Cruinniú na nÓg.

The artists described the front of the building as being in "terrible condition" with two days needed to prepare the walls for the main image.