MEMORIES OF THE PICTURE PALACE, ATHY

Memories of The Picture Palace, Athy

by Frank O’Brien, 3 September 2012

I remember there was a charity showing of “Song of my Heart” starring John McCormack and Maureen O’Sullivan at the Picture Palace, Offaly Street, Athy.  Young folks hadn’t a hope of getting a ticket.  The Picture Palace was an old malt house which Captain Hoize made into a cinema in 1926.  There were 3 compartments – 2d into the pit, 4d into the parterre and 8d into the gallery.  I forget the year of the big night.  The street outside was packed.  We got a window sill and had a great view.  Lady Weldon of Kilromoney who was a great whistler and always did MC at the charity events in Athy at that time.  Of course she did MC that night and was a great hostess. We got to see the picture afterwards. It was great.  (We thought it was good!)