1923 – Former Fountain / Lyric Cinema, James Street, Dublin

Image courtesy Irish Architectural Archive. Munden and Purcell collection, ref no. 85/141.60/2.

Former cinema, long darkened, later in use as part of a commercial premises. Plans were initially drawn up by Munden with O’Connor taking over the project during construction and amending the design. Opened as The Fountain, it was two storeys in height at the street with stucco decoration. After it closed in 1962, a further storey was added. Demolished in 2002.

“The building and equipment of this new Dublin place of entertainment is making good progress. The building has a frontage to James’s Street of 36 feet, with a depth of some 90 feet, and is three storeys high in front, 54 feet over foot path level.
The superstructure is in brickwork with reinforced compo. dressings to openings, and has a slated roof on steel supports. The floors of the main entrance and staircase are laid with Terrazzo paving, and there is a reinforced concrete and steel balcony. The interior plastering is elaborate, and the building throughout is heated by hot water and ventilated by a patent system of electric pumps.
Mr. William Clarke, Fairview, is the principal contractor. The iron and steel construction is by Messrs. J. and C. McGloughlin, Great Brunswick St; the ornamental stucco and plaster work by Mr Denis Creedon, Clare Lane; the electric installation for light and power by Mr Sean McGarry. Bills of quantities were prepared by Mr James Mackey, Dame Street. The plans etc were prepared by Mr P.J. Munden, MRIAI Trinity Street.”
The Irish Builder, December 2 1922