Royal all set for movies and media training

A planning application will be submitted to City Hall in February for the development of a digital cinema and media training hub in the former Royal Cinema on Upper Cecil Street. The city’s senior planning officer, Kieran Reeves, is “very happy to-date with the project” which requires a budget of €5.3million. With full backing from the city manager, Tom Mackey, it is understood that finance is earmarked.

Paul Patton, CEO of City of Limerick VEC, who last year explored the potential of refurbishing the Royal as a modern digital cinema and media training facility, had a full-scale feasibility study confirm the viability of the project.
“It will be a world class venue for mainstream, independent and classic movies, media training and a forum for a new generation of media professionals,” said Mr Patton
The cinema will have three screens, with a fourth for retractable screening, which can be used for media training.
“The new Royal will also provide training or a new generation of film, television and web content creators and will be a forum for talks, debates and literary events and a space for painting, sculpture and photography exhibitions”.
Mr Patton emphasised that by using a not-for-profit management company, the royal will generate surplus income through programming the best in mainstream, cultural, classic, national and international films: operating a cafe and bar, offering digital lounge hire, auditorium rental and the rental of training facilities and equipment.
“Surplus income will be used to fund makers of short films and trainee film makers”.
The actor, director and comedian, Pat Shortt, said the Royal will be a place to see films that might not be mainstream and also a centre where film makers can encourage one another.
Shannon Development CEO, Dr Vincent Cunnane, said it “fits into many of our own aspirations for Limerick and the Mid West.
“The Royal will help city centre business activity, tourism, innovation and new business development and as we are actively attracting established film production companies to the region, the Royal’s digital media training will strengthen our hand in developing an exciting field by creating a pool of skilled media professionals.
Already backing the project are Shannon Development, City of Limerick VEC, Limerick City Council, Limerick Regeneration, Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Burns Pet Nutrition Ireland Ltd,.