Picture Palace will help put Galway on the film tourism map

Labour spokesperson on Tourism Cllr Niall McNelis has welcomed the opening tonight of the Picture Palace in Galway, saying thenew cultural infrastructure will be a great boost to the west of Ireland and for the city as it prepares to celebrate being European Capital of Culture in 2020.

Cllr McNelis said:

“The Picture Palace opens tonight in Galway and will become a destination for many lovers of film, and it can provide the inspiration to celebrate the importance of film in the west of Ireland and Galway.

“After a challenging 14 year journey for everyone that has been involved, we finally have a wonderful facility that will be a welcome new addition to Galway’s cultural infrastructure.

“Galway is a UNESCO City of Film and is home to two schools of Film and Media in NUIG and GMIT. It is also the European Capital of Culture in 2020 where the art of cinema will be celebrated now in a permanent home all year round.

“While we also celebrate the best of Irish, European and world cinema with this new home, it also gives tourism an opportunity to again highlight the Tourism Ireland Green on the Screeen. Ryan’s Daughter, the Quiet Man, (which is shown daily in Ashford Castle) and the 1980’s cult classic of Excalibur have made local areas featured in those films important destinations that fans like to visit.

“While Star Wars and the Skelligs boost tourism in Kerry, we must look at other ways to promote all year round destinations to visit that are must see locations, such as the Cliffs of Moher where scenes from the Princess Bride and Harry Potters Half Blood Prince were filmed.

“Other films such as The Guard, The Field, Marley and Me, and the Wind that Shakes the Barley all showcase our wonderful landscape.

“It is essential that the Government now put in place a plan needs to promote these locations, as regional and county tourism strategies are put in place.”