Named one of the 50 Most Beautiful Cinemas in the World by Time Out in 2025 and topping its list of 50 Best UK & Ireland Cinemas last year, Dublin’s Stella Rathmines cinema continues to captivate audiences with its blend of vintage glamour and modern sophistication. While the cinema’s carefully restored interiors evoke the elegance of its 1920s origins, its contemporary viewing experience owes much to CinemaNext’s technical expertise.
Restoration and Design
The Stella Rathmines cinema was originally opened in January 1923 and was once the largest cinema in Ireland, known for its extravagant art deco style and luxurious features.
After closing for more than a decade in the early 2000s, the Stella underwent an ambitious 18-month restoration project that concluded in 2017, aimed at preserving the cinema’s original 1920s architectural elements such as the façade, marble flooring, mosaic tiling, and decorative ceiling moldings.
The project reunited two previously separated screens into a single, grand 216-seat auditorium with a screen-framing red curtain and reconstructed the elegant balcony using historic references. Lush armchairs, two-seater couches, and even beds, each with footrests and side tables topped with lamps, were carefully selected for maximum comfort.
Pre-ordered online in advance or at the foyer bar upon their arrival at the Stella, patrons can enjoy a complete food & drinks service, choosing from a menu including parmesan fries, hummus, buttermilk chicken tenders and halloumi burgers, bottled cocktails or beer. The hot food is then delivered directly to their seats within the first 45 minutes of the film.
A former ballroom upstairs was converted into the stylish Stella Cocktail Club, further enhancing the cinema’s unique character and inviting guests to prolong their experience with a menu featuring timeless film-inspired cocktails & non-alcoholic “mocktails” such as the “Beautiful Friendship” (Casablanca, 1943), “Not Bad for a Human” (Alien, 1979), and “Plastic World” (Barbie, 2023).
“The Stella is more than a place to watch a film; it’s an experience,” says Karl Geraghty, Head of Stella Cinema. “We want people to feel like they’re stepping into a different era yet still enjoy all the modern comforts of a world-class boutique cinema. Our lengthy collaboration with CinemaNext has helped us achieve this.”
Vintage Sophistication Meets Technical Expertise
The balance between old and new lies at the heart of the Stella’s success. For the cinema’s most recent technical upgrade, CinemaNext advised on and installed a Barco SP4K15B laser projector within the theatre’s original suspended projection booth. The system delivers crisp, vivid visuals with remarkable brightness and contrast, ensuring that every film — whether a black-and-white classic or a contemporary blockbuster— is seen at its best.
To complement the new projection system, CinemaNext also integrated its PAA20+ automation adapter, designed to unite the venue’s projection, sound, and lighting controls into a seamless operation. This automation technology supports daily operations behind the scenes, allowing the cinema team to focus on the finer details of presentation, comfort, and guest experience.
“Our aim was to combine the precision of the latest laser projection technology and simplicity of modern automation with the charm of a historic cinema,” explains Tony Hevey, Country Manager, CinemaNext Ireland. “The Stella’s projection booth now offers cutting-edge functionality without altering its authentic design.”
“CinemaNext’s guidance and installation have helped us maintain the highest picture quality while preserving the atmosphere that makes the Stella unique,” notes Simon Edwards, Stella Rathmines’ head of projection. “It’s a partnership that supports both our history and our future.” Edwards proudly keeps an original 1933 edition of The Projectionist’s Handbook: A Complete Guide to Cinema Operating on hand in the projection booth as a reminder of the importance of the booth as the beating heart of a cinema.
Recognition and Legacy
Since reopening, the Stella Rathmines has become one of Dublin’s most celebrated cultural spaces, hosting premieres, film festivals, and curated screenings that attract both locals and visitors.
The cinema proudly offers a wide range of programmes and special screenings, including baby-friendly screenings with a complimentary coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and pastry for a relaxing cinema experience for both parent & baby, “Family Flix” featuring recent and classic kids movies every weekend and during school holidays, as well as black & white film classics every Friday afternoon.
For CinemaNext, the project reflects its deep commitment to advancing cinema technology for independent cinemas while respecting cultural heritage. The Stella Rathmines stands today not only as a cinematic treasure but as living proof that the art of projection — and the pleasure of going to the movies — can remain timeless.
Stella Rathmines: A Cinematic Jewel Reimagined with CinemaNext Ireland