Getting Into JDIFF

Jameson Dublin International Film Festival
Across the city
jdiff.com


The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (rolls off the tongue, donnit?) is a great opportunity to gorge on films from all over the world, as well as a number of Irish-made productions. Nigel and Paraic over at Spooool.ie have handpicked 13 movies that you should check out if scrolling through the online programme is tiresome.

The venues for this movie bonanza are all properly accessible except for the Savoy. So have a read before you book your tickets.


Cineworld
10/10
Review

Space for wheelchairs: Yes

Stairs: Wherever there are stairs, there is either a slope, a lift or a small wheelchair lift to take you there.

Wheelchair Bathroom: Yes. There are a number of wheelchair bathrooms.

Light House
9.5/10
Review

Space for wheelchairs: Yes.

Stairs: There is a lift that brings you to every floor. 

Wheelchair Bathroom: Yes, they are a little tight but they are very much there.

IFI
10/10

Space for wheelchairs: Yes

Stairs: There is a lift that brings you to the screens upstairs. Everything else is on flat ground.

Wheelchair Bathroom: Yes. The bathroom beside the gift shop is particularly futuristic. Treat yourself and use this one. You will need to get a key for it from the bar. The other bathroom is kept unlocked.


AND NOW....

The Savoy
1/10
To get into the Savoy, as a wheelchair user, you need to somehow get a member of staff's attention or ring in advance so that they can bring you through the side entrance. Their front door is just riddled with steps. Only one of their screens (Screen 1) is wheelchair accessible, the rest are up flights of stairs and there is no lift. Luckily, they use Screen 1 for the JDIFF screenings. They are showing No Limbs, No Limits here on February 15th which is so unbelievably ironic but do try and see it as it sounds like an incredible documentary.

Movies at Dundrum

Movies at Dundrum
Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 14
movies-at.ie


Here lyeth the cinema that services the leafy suburbs of South Dublin.


What has it got?

Seating: Every screen has room for a number of wheelchair users with seats in the front row. 

Doors: The doors aren't too heavy but you might need a hand getting into the screens. 

Ground: The ground here is carpeted and there are tiles in the foyer.

Stairs: There is a ramp at the front entrance (a couple of steps if you're that way inclined) and there's a lift located beside the food counters which will bring you down to the screens. 

Bathrooms: I had no problems with the size of the wheelchair bathrooms here and they are located near the screens. 

Spaciousness: Plenty of room here. So much room, it's almost as if you can hear the faint roar of a tiger of Celtic origin. 

Helpfulness of Staff: I didn't need that much assistance here but there are plenty of staff about the place and seem as if they're ready to help out whenever. 

Parking: There is plenty of wheelchair parking in the shopping centre's car park but there are  4/5 wheelchair parking spots located off the Sandyford Road (map here). 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? I had very few problems here but because this cinema was built in 2005, it has all the proper bells and whistles in terms of access. 

I will get around to reviewing Dundrum Town Centre shortly...

Cineworld, Parnell Street

Cineworld
Parnell Centre, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
cineworld.ie


This is my cinema in that it is always the cinema that I make people go to. Mostly because of my Unlimited Cinema card but it's also a nifty city centre location.


What has it got?

Seating: There are plenty of spots for wheelchair users in all screens, mostly in the front row, but there are a couple of screens where you can have a back row seat. 

Doors: The doors aren't too heavy here. 

Ground: In the foyer, it's marble tiles so it is slippy when it's wet but elsewhere, it's carpet galore. 

Stairs: There is a lift here that brings you to all floors and where there are a few steps, there is a specific wheelchair lift that will bring you up and down. 

Bathrooms: Wherever there are toilets here, there is a wheelchair toilet right beside them. I have had no problems sizewise with these bathrooms. 

Spaciousness: There are very few obstacles that will get in your way here.

Helpfulness of Staff: You will need a member of staff to operate the wheelchair lift with a key. They will normally see you coming and will be there waiting before and after your film but you may need to ask for assistance. 

Parking: There is one wheelchair parking spot on King's Inn Street and there is a car park on Jervis Lane. There is also loads of street parking on Jervis Lane and I have very easily gotten my wheelchair in and out of those spots. (Map here)

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? I have never had any issues going here and the staff are very on the ball with the wheelchair lift. 

Light House Cinema

Light House Cinema
Market Square, Smithfield, Dublin 7
www.lighthousecinema.ie

Dublin's Light House Cinema is a grand aul spot for a limited release film or, like me, you live in the past and like an old favourite (Cruel Intentions was my indulgence tonight).


What has it got? 

Seating: They have spaces available for wheelchair users in every screen.

Doors: Doors are light and easy to open.

Stairs: There are stairs but they have a lift which goes to every floor.

Ground: Wooden flooring and carpets.

Bathrooms: There is a wheelchair cubicle available on the ground floor, at level -2 and level -3. It is a little tight for space so I find it's best to reverse into it.

Spaciousness: If there's one thing Light House has, it's loads of space. Roomy and then some.

Helpfulness of Staff: I didn't need assistance because it was so easy to get around but I'm sure the staff are willing to give a hand when needed.


Parking: There is wheelchair parking beside the Maldron Hotel on Market Square and wheelchair parking in the car park beside the cinema.


Rating: 9.5/10
Why did it lose points? The wheelchair cubicles are just a teeny, tiny bit too tight but they are manageable.