Limerick Royal
City of Limerick Vocational Education Committee (CLVEC) plans to redevelop the Athenaeum Hall/ Royal cinema in Upper Cecil Street as a modern digital centre with a three screen cinema, media training facilities and a café/bar.
The conversion of the the Athenaeum into a multi-purpose entertainment, cultural and learning centre will resonate with the proud history of this iconic building. the new Royal will meet limerick City Council's planned development of the Georgian Quarter as a Centre of Culture - already the City Gallery has been extended and the Belltable renovated.
The Athenaeum has a prime place in Limerick hearts. As Limerick's first 'University', it resounded to the voices of Pearse and Parnell, Percy French and john Mc Cormack. Later, as the Royal Cinema, the images of Chaplin, Hepburn and bogart flickered across its silver screen. And, in its incarnation as a venue, it played host to The Cranberries and Billy Connolly.
