Drive-in movie screenings planned by leading Mayo cinema
A leading Mayo entertainment centre is planning a new departure as it prepares for its reopening following the lifting of social distancing restrictions.
Mayo Movie World, Moneen, Castlebar, is working behind the scenes to allow loyal customers to watch films from the comfort of their own cars.
The seven-screen cinema has ample carparking facilities in the heart of the county town to enable the proprietors, the Mulroy family, to provide the option from a date in July yet to be confirmed.
While film fans will still have the choice of watching all the top releases at one of the cinema's indoor screens, the drive-in option is expected to prove very popular over the coming months.
Cora Mulroy of Mayo Movie World explained: “While we have been closed for several weeks, we have been working behind the scenes to ensure we adjust to the new normal which will be in place for some time to come.
“Not only will we be reopening as a seven screen cinema, but we will adding on drive-in movies from the end of July or the beginning of August.
“We are investing a lot of time on ensuring that it will be very attractive option for the members of the public who have missed going to be movies in recent months.
“We see it as a very exciting venture as we bring drive-in movies to Castlebar and Mayo.
“It is not something we are planning as a once-off, we are planning to do it every weekend, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“Popcorn, of course, will be on sale as normal for that real drive-in movie experience.”,
Pat Concannon, manager, Mayo Movie World, said he and his staff are working to put a nice programme of titles together to entertain those who turn up to watch a drive-in movie.
“It's an alternative if you don't want to come inside when we reopen the cinema and you can still enjoy the full movie experience from your own car.
“As of now we are all working within the guidelines and the hope is that Mayo Movie World can reopen sooner than expected.
“Going by the reaction on our social media platforms in recent weeks, there is certainly a keen interest in getting Mayo Movie World back up and running again in the short term.”
Mayo Movie World have been working closely with Castlebar Municipal District, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce and promoter Webster McNeely to bring their proposals to fruition.
* Pictured at the announcement of the proposal were Webster McNeely, Cora Mulroy, Mayo Movie World, Breda Mulroy, Mayo Leisure Centre, Pat Concannon, manager, Mayo Movie World, Councillor Ger Deere and Bernard Hughes, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce.