Ambassador Cinema, Event venue and former cinema on Parnell Street, Dublin, Ireland
The Ambassador Theatre stands on Parnell Street, built in 1764 by John Ensor as the Rotunda Hospital's assembly hall and social rooms. Its 1950s redesign added a 500-seat balcony with private boxes and a new entrance, bringing capacity to 1,200. It now serves as an exhibition hall and event centre, with signage reading "The Ambassador Event Centre".
The building was first constructed in 1764 as part of Rotunda Hospital and underwent conversion into a movie theater in 1910. It continued showing films for nearly a century until closing its doors in 1999.
The building opened in 1764 as the Rotunda's assembly hall and social rooms, built to raise funds for the hospital. From 1897 it hosted moving-picture screenings, and from 1910 it ran as a full-time cinema. In the 1950s it became a gala venue for first screenings, including The Blue Max in 1966.
The venue is located at 165 Parnell Street in Dublin 1, positioned centrally in the city. Before visiting, it helps to check what exhibitions or events are currently on, since the schedule changes regularly throughout the year.
In 1966, a World War I airplane was mounted on the roof to promote the film The Blue Max. This creative stunt made the building a memorable landmark that residents still recall today.
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