History Of Briery Gap Theatre

Moments in Time....

Palace Cinema 1952 - Irish Examiner Archive

The Palace Cinema, Main Street, Macroom, Co. Cork

What we know today as the Briery Gap Theatre and Cultural Centre was constructed in 1952 and opened its doors on April 25th 1953, showing the film "Scaramouche" (a 1952 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Technicolor film starring Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, and Mel Ferrer). The Palace Cinema closed its doors in 1987 with a showing of "Crocodile Dundee" (an action comedy film set in the Australian Outback and in New York City starring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski).
Image (c) Courtesy of Irish Examiner Archive

Artists Impression of the New Briery Gap

Briery Gap Theatre\Cinema - The Future

In the intervening timeframe, efforts to source funding were successful and a major capital investment for both the Theatre and Library was confirmed by the Irish Government and Cork County Council. This has led to the commencement of the current project to provide a state-of-the-Art Library and Theatre/Cinema complex in December 2021. The estimated completion date is estimated to be mid 2024. The auditorium of the theatre will have its capacity increased to 220 people, which will occupy the central space of the building. There will also be increased backstage support facilities and a bar/foyer will be located at the upper front of the theater. The building will be fully accessible with the library located at the ground floor and rear ground floor levels.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey commented:

"The Macroom Theatre and Library refurbishment will deliver a high quality, landmark building to the South Square, Macroom. The project has been designed and is led by Cork County Council, their Architects Department together with their team of consultants: Consulting Engineers, Horgan Lynch and EDC, ASM Group, CK Fire and Theatre Plan. The main building contractors are Cumnor Construction, Blarney, Co. Cork." It is expected that the Lease of the Theatre to Briery Gap Cultural Centre CLG will shortly be finalised, which will then result in the Theatre Technical fit out contract being undertaken by GFD Communications, Dublin, who will provide and install the Audio, Lighting and Projection equipment on behalf of the Briery Gap CLG in early 2024.


The planned opening of the venue is contingent on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control.

Current Board Details

  • Noel O'Driscoll (Chairperson)
  • Pat O'Connell (Company Secretary)
  • Cllr Martin Coughlan
  • Elizabeth Barry
  • John Vaughan
  • Cormac Sheil
  • Ian Mc Donagh
  • Paul Collins
  • Don Buckley