{{Short description|Cinema in Dublin, Ireland}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{more citations needed|date=September 2010}}
{{Infobox Theatre |name = Savoy Cinema |image = Savoyfest.jpg |image_size = 270 |caption = The Savoy during the 2006 [[Jameson Dublin International Film Festival]] |address = 16-19 Upper O'Connell Street |city = [[Dublin]] |country = Ireland |pushpin_map = Ireland Central Dublin |map_relief = |map_size = |map_caption = |map_dot_label = |coordinates = {{coord|53|21|04|N|6|15|38|W|region:IE_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |architect = C.F. Mitchell and W.E. Greenwood |builder = Meagher & Hayes |owner = IMC Cinema Group |capacity = With screen one being split into five the current capacity is unknown (originally 2,789) |screens = 13 (originally 1) |type = Cinema |opened = {{Start date|1929|11|29|df=y}} |rebuilt = {{Flatlist| * 1969 * 1975 * 1979 * 1988 }} |other_names = IMC Savoy, Savoy Dublin |website = {{url|https://www.imccinemas.ie/Whats-On/Savoy-Dublin}} }}
[[File:Savoy Cinema auditorium (1929).jpg|thumb|Savoy Cinema auditorium in 1929]]
The '''Savoy Cinema''' on the east side of [[O'Connell Street|Upper O'Connell Street]] in [[Dublin]], Ireland is the oldest operational cinema in Dublin and is the preferred cinema in Ireland for film premières.
==History==
The cinema was built in 1929 by Meagher & Hayes, on the site of the old Granville Hotel. The luxurious auditorium, housing 2,789 seats, opened to the public with the American colour talkie ''[[On with the Show (1929 film)|On with the Show]]''. It was altered in 1954 to incorporate a large [[CinemaScope]] screen, and showed [[Ireland]]'s first [[widescreen]] feature, [[The Robe (film)|''The Robe'']], at the time owned by Odeon Ireland Ltd. [[File:Savoy Cinema Dublin, during construction by Meagher & Hayes.jpg|thumb|Savoy Cinema Dublin, during construction by Meagher & Hayes, pre-1929]] [[File:Savoy cinema construction 1929 2.jpg|thumb|Savoy Cinema Dublin, during construction by Meagher & Hayes, pre-1929 (image 2)]] [[File:Savoy cinema construction 1929 3.jpg|thumb|Savoy Cinema Dublin, nearing completion, 1928 or 1929]]
It was reported in February 2012 that the cinema was in danger of closing. In the previous decade, audience numbers fell from 740,000 to 250,000 per annum.<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/savoy-cinema-may-face-the-final-curtain-3024277.html Savoy Cinema may face the final curtain] ''Sunday Independent'', 2012-02-19.</ref>
==Screens==
The Savoy is the most altered cinema in Dublin's history,{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} and in 1969 the cinema was converted into a twin cinema. In 1975, the Savoy's restaurant was converted into a third screen, holding 200 seats, followed in 1979 by further sub-divisions, creating five screens in all. In 1988, the cinema was given its sixth screen. In the process, the Savoy had lost a third of its capacity.
In 2004, renovation work was carried out, moving the box office from the two booths located on either side of the entrance to what used to be an adjoining shop. The confectionery counter has also been moved many times, it is now in a room to the left of the main entrance.
The Advance Screening Room became the seventh screen in 2014 it is now screen 13.
In 2016, the old Screen 2 (500 seats) was converted into three smaller screens and the Savoy became a 9 screen cinema in Dublin City Centre.
In January 2018, the "iconic" Screen 1 which held 750 was closed for work to split it into multiple screens.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hosford |first=Paul |title=Work to split Screen One at the Savoy Cinema has started |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/savoy-screen-3794114-Jan2018/ |newspaper=TheJournal.ie |date=2018-01-12 |accessdate=2020-04-18}}</ref>
==Premières== The cinema has hosted the Irish premières of many films, most of them having an Irish connection. Films shown here have included [[Alexander (2004 film)|''Alexander'']], [[Once (film)|''Once'']] and [[The Man in the Iron Mask (1998 film)|''The Man in the Iron Mask'']]. The cinema was used until 2017 during the [[Dublin International Film Festival]], primarily for big-event screenings such as opening and closing night premiers. It also hosts the surprise film, which in 2006 was the first [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] screening of the film, [[300 (film)|''300'']].
==Controversy== In December 1934, Republicans demonstrated against the screening at the cinema of a [[newsreel]] of the marriage of [[Prince George, Duke of Kent]], to [[Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark|Princess Marina]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Clair|last=Wills|title=That Neutral Island|location=London|publisher=Faber|year=2007|isbn=9780571221059}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.imccinemas.ie/Whats-On/Savoy-Dublin The Savoy Cinema] *[https://dx.doi.org/10.7925/drs1.ucdlib_45872 An album of photographs recording the construction of the Savoy Cinema, O'Connell Street, Dublin and its appearance on completion.] A UCD Digital Library Collection.
{{Cinemas of Dublin}}
[[Category:Cinemas in Dublin (city)]]