St. George's Hall Cinema

Torchlight on November 7, 2018 at 2:20 am

The records show that Belfast’s first full time cinema was the Alhambra Theatre of Varieties in North Street (June 1908). However, St. George’s Hall can stake a claim to it being the city’s first full time cinema without a theatrical background. While films predominated, live acts continued to have a place on the St. George’s bill. As to the date of its closure as a cinema, it’s arguable that this was as early as 1914, according to Belfast cinema author Tom Hughes.

The hall itself, which is on an upper floor of St.George’s Buildings (erected 1881) has remained unused for a number of years.