The Pálás cinema in Galway City remain closed after a year and a half, with the latest efforts to find a new operator proving fruitless.
The most recent potential operator of Pálás pulled out of the deal in recent weeks due to concerns about refurbishment costs according to Galway City Council.
On Monday the elected members of the city council received an update on the commercial operation of the Pálás Arthouse Cinema in response to queries raised.
The council advertised for a new operator for Pálás in mid-2025, with the goal of providing a long term lease of the property. No financial support for the cinema would be provided by the city council.
The council entered into negotiations with a potential operator, and was preparing terms of the commercial agreement in April this year.
However, following a subsequent board meeting of the partners involved, Galway City Council was requested to pause the announcement, due to concerns in relation to rising refurbishment costs.
The refurbishment works proposed were to upgrade the premises for a bespoke cinema experience.
Two weeks later, the partner formally withdrew from the project.
It is understood that the partner intended to undertake these refurbishments, but rising construction costs and market uncertainty changed this decision.
In a statement the city council said that since this partner withdrew, the council has been exploring temporary options to reopen the facility on a short‑term basis while a longer‑term solution is developed.
Galway City Council is currently in discussion with the Galway Film Fleadh, to explore the festival operating from Pálás in July 2026.
