1923 – Stella Cinema, Rathmines, Dublin

At its opening in 1923, the Stella was the largest cinema in Dublin, with a capacity of 1,283. In the style of the time, it was seen as more than a movie destination with a dancehall on the first floor. Over the years it fell into disrepair and some unforunate additions were made to the façade.

Reopened in 2017 withe the restoration using old photographs to help restore it to its original style – although now with a capacity of just 216: 150 on the ground floor and 66 on the balcony above. The original ballroom was converted into a cocktail lounge. Original 1920s features such as the façade with granite pilasters were uncovered, along with a typical art deco handrail which guides you up to the first-floor balcony, detailed mosaic tiling of the original Stella logo and original decorative ceiling mouldings which have been kindly restored and dotted throughout the theatre.