Savoy Cinema

108 St. Patrick's Street,
Cork

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Odeon (Ireland) Ltd.

Firms: Moore & Crabtree

Functions: Dance Studio, Nightclub, Retail

Styles: Art Deco, Atmospheric, Italian Renaissance

Nearby Theaters

Savoy Cinema

Opened on 11th May 1932 with Wheeler & Wolsey in “Peach O'Reno” and the architects were Albert Walter Moore and Crabtree (of the architectural firm Moore & Crabtree). Similar to the Savoy Cinema in Limerick it has an Art Deco style exterior and an Atmospheric Venetian style interior. The cinema had a large restaurant and the auditorium was equipped with a Compton 3Manual/12Ranks theatre organ which was opened by Fred J. Bridgeman. Over the years, big name stars appeared on its stage, including Gracie Fields, Beniamino Gigle, Paul Robeson & Richard Tauber. In the 1960’s Tom Jones, the Bee Gees & The Rolling Stones appeared. The Savoy Cinema was home to the annual Cork Film International Festival from May 1956. Organist Fred J. Bridgeman retired in 1967 and the Compton organ was removed from the building to a private residence in 1970. The Savoy Cinema was closed on 1st February 1975 with “The Towering Inferno”.

Since 1977 the former stalls seating area has become the Savoy Shopping Centre and in 2000 the circle became a nightclub and the Cork Dance Studio.

Contributed by Graeme McBain

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on November 23, 2004 at 8:57 am

Following the link above by lostmemory, it seems the upper parts of this former cinema is used mainly as a dance hall, with shops at ground level. When first opened the Savoy was equipped with a Compton theatre organ.

michaelhealy
michaelhealy on June 26, 2005 at 6:34 pm

The lovely Compton organ was removed and is now installed at The University of Limerick, Ireland

Michael Healy, Melbourne, Australia

shaneffrench
shaneffrench on December 3, 2007 at 6:23 am

you have it all messed up, Im from ireland, the savoy theatre is in cork, it was demolised and rebuilt as ciniplex including other stuff like shopping and a dance hall, when it was knocked the organ was then moved to limerick to the university concert hall

ghamilton
ghamilton on August 4, 2016 at 9:47 am

I passed theater last week. Clearly was a theater. Sad.

popcorn_pete
popcorn_pete on September 10, 2016 at 6:08 pm

The Savoy closed on 1 February 1975 with the Towering Inferno, with guests from the cast of Upstairs Downstairs in attendance for some reason.

popcorn_pete
popcorn_pete on September 10, 2016 at 6:11 pm

New photo added today of the mall.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin on July 3, 2023 at 10:49 am

Architect is named as Major Moore of Bradford, who designed the new Savoy Cinema in Patrick Street, Cork, in 1932. He was the senior member of a partnership named as ‘Moore & Crabtree’ in the Irish Builder of 16 Jan 1932 but as ‘Moore & Clather’ in the Irish Times of 26 May 1932. In 1943, B. O'Flynn & Son made alterations to steps and passages.

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