Cinema Complexes: With the opening of two new cinema complexes in the Galway area in the past month, competition for audiences is about to get intense, writes Fiona Tyrrell

Intense competition in Galway's cinema business is expected with the opening of two new cinemas in the past month.

Two weeks ago the Ward/Anderson Group opened a new six-screen cinema in Oranmore - its second cinema in the area.

Meanwhile, last month, Galway developer Gerry Barrett opened the multi-purpose Eye cinema at the Wellpark retail park on the Dublin Road.

The Ward/Anderson cinema group now has more than 33 cinemas across Ireland. It opened its first cinema in Galway in 1993 on the Headford Road, also east of the River Corrib, which divides Galway city. This has expanded from a seven-screen cinema to an 11-screen facility.

The group's new facility is part of the €20 million City Limits entertainment complex in Oranmore, to the east of the city. The complex also has an 18-lane bowling centre, an interactive laser games operator, American diner-style food outlet and Vertigo, a four-level bar.

The €10 million Oranmore cinema has a total seat capacity of 1,400.

Barrett's Eye cinema forms part of his €75 million Wellpark retail park, which is anchored by Atlantic Homecare and Reid Furniture.

Designed by architects Douglas Wallace, the cinema, with curved glass panels and copper cladding, is an eye-catching landmark on the main approach to the city. It is adjacent to a five-star hotel, also being developed by Barrett's Edward Holdings, which is due to open later this year.

The facility has a total of 1,200 seats, including a 50-seater corporate theatre. The cinema offers audio-description (via infra-red headsets) for the visually impaired. It has also started screening a number of arthouse, foreign and cult films.

Edward Holdings will operate the cinema and plans for the venue to host a range of live acts, including musicians, comedians, writers and poets. It also aims for the centre to become one of the receiving venues for the city's many arts, film and literary festivals.

The €30 million venue also offers conference, product launch or corporate entertainment facilities at some of the complex's multi-purpose theatres and a large concourse. The complex also comprises 3,250 sq m (35,000 sq ft) of retail space and 930 sq m (10,000 sq ft) of restaurant space.

Both new cinemas are located on the east of the city, an area that has seen huge population growth in recent years.

The Wellpark cinema is about 1 km from Eyre Square and the Oranmore cinema is around 10 km from the city.

The Ward/Anderson group is hoping to encourage people who go to the cinema once a month to go once a week.

"It remains to be seen whether the three cinemas can be profitable. We anticipate that our two cinemas will be profitable and will do good business," says Paul Ward.

Cinema is very strong in Galway, according to Gerry Barrett who says he is very happy with attendance at the Eye Cinema since it opened last month.