Originally opening its doors in 1923, the theatre was affectionately named The Stella, designed by architectural firm Higginbotham & Stafford it held 1,283 patrons, making it Ireland’s largest cinema at the time. In true art-deco style it featured a ballroom on the first floor and an incredible fountain in the foyer.

During the current restoration, some beautiful original 1920s features such as the original façade with granite pilasters were uncovered, along with a typical art deco handrail which guides you up to the first-floor balcony, detailed mosaic tiling of the original Stella logo and original decorative ceiling mouldings which have been kindly restored and dotted throughout the theatre. The original suspended projection booth is also still in place.

There is also a 2nd (mini) Stella Theatre located in the basement of the Devlin Hotel in Ranelagh, just down the road from the main theatre in Rathmines.