Edge Rewrite
restyle Source code View original
// HTMLRewriter · presentation

This page was redesigned at the edge.

Cloudflare fetched the original article and streamed it through HTMLRewriter to apply an entirely new visual system without rebuilding the source page.

Jump to content

Leisureplex

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leisureplex
TypePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
PredecessorLeisureCorp[1]
Founded1950s 75–76 years ago
Founder
  • Ciarán Butler
  • Colum Butler
Number of locations
4 venues (2026)
Area served
Republic of Ireland
Services
ParentEntertainment Enterprises
Websiteleisureplex.ie

Leisureplex is an Irish chain of indoor family entertainment centres ranging from bowling alleys to arcades, Q-ZAR and children's amusement centres. Leisureplex was founded in the 1950s or 1960s by Ciarán Butler and Colum Butler. Leisureplex evolved from a bowling alley called "Stillorgan Bowl" to a wide chain of indoor entertainment centres across Dublin, Ireland.

Although it now strictly operates in Dublin, it once had a centre in Cork called "Leisureplex Cork" that was opened in the 1980s on the former site of Coliseum Cinema. As of 2026, Leisureplex has four active locations, with one, Leisureplex Blanchardstown, set to close down. Its parent company is Entertainment Enterprises, although the company is still managed by the Butler brothers.

History

[edit]
Leisureplex Cork on MacCurtain Street in Cork

Leisureplex was founded by brothers Ciarán and Colum Butler sometime in the 1950s or 60s.[2][3][4] Stillorgan Bowl originally opened in 1963, and decades later the brothers bought it and added it to the Leisureplex chain.[5] It operated as a bowling alley in the suburb of Stillorgan in Dublin and was Ireland's first bowling alley.[6] It became widely known across Dublin, and rock singers like Phil Collins and Bruce Springsteen performed there; it also held events.[7][8]

The Butler brothers proposed demolishing Stillorgan Bowl since 2004, although it was only acted on in May 2021, and apartment blocks were built on the site.[9][10] Despite proposing the demolition of Stillorgan Bowl, the Butler brothers fought in court against KW Investments to prevent the demolition.[11][12] They also refused to vacate the premises so construction could start on the €100 million project of the apartments.[13][14][15]

Before its shutdown, there was a protest held by St John of God Services to attempt to keep it open, although it was unsuccessful.[16] Leisureplex Cork, also known as Coliseum, was opened in the 1980s on MacCurtain Street in Cork and was built on the former site of Coliseum Cinema.[17][18] It held several bowling events, most notably the Wigoders Cup 99 National Ladies Tenpin Bowling Finals in 1999.[19] In 2024 it was purchased by Premier Inn, a hotel chain.[20][21] Leisureplex Coolock was opened in 1992 on the Malahide Road in Coolock. In 2016, while playing Q-ZAR, a 12-year-old girl suffered a laceration to the face and was paid over €35,000.[22][23] In 2019 the landlord sold Leisureplex Coolock and the local Odeon Cinemas for over €22 million, in which Savills acted as an agent who was tasked to sell the properties.[24]

Leisureplex Blanchardstown was opened in 1997 in Blanchardstown, and in February 2006 a 23-year-old gunman named Darren Larkin entered the Leisureplex with a shotgun and shot 49-year-old security guard Afek Alquasar in the head.[25][26] Alquasar survived his head injuries, and Larkin was sentenced to life imprisonment.[27][28][29] Larkin attempted to appeal his life sentence, although it was partially denied, and his sentence was reduced.[30][31] Leisureplex Blanchardstown is set to shut down after Fingal County Council approved plans in early 2026 to turn it into a large retailer.[32] In 2016, Leisureplex was sued after, in December 2011, an employee closed a security door on a seven-year-old autistic boy's hand in Leisureplex Blanchardstown, which caused him to stop communicating.[33] A judge in the Circuit Civil Court refused to approve a settlement of €28,000 in damages.[33]

Leisureplex Charlestown was opened in 2015 in the Charlestown Shopping Centre and is the newest instalment of the Leisureplex chain.[34] Michael and Tom Bailey, who own the shopping centre, were given €12 million by Nama to develop the Leisureplex alongside the Butler brothers in Finglas.[35][36] The Butler brothers also own a Leisureplex in Tallaght that in 2008 earned €560,000.[37][38] In 2009, Leisurplex Tallaght got into a planning battle with a rival indoor entertainment centre called Sam's Kids Entertainment Centre; they lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, but they failed to stop the expansion.[39] In 2026 the landlord of the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre put taxi ranks in a car park used by the Leisureplex Blanchardstown, which caused a legal battle between the Butler brothers and the landlord; the Butler brothers ultimately won, and the High Court granted that the taxi rants be removed from the car park.[40][41]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Ireland: Butlers pay 90m in UCI cinema deal". The Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  2. ↑ Hamilton, Peter. "Q&A: What's this about a dispute over Stillorgan's Leisureplex?". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Feeding the growing appetite for fun experiences". Archived from the original on May 24, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ Madden, Caroline. "Butler brothers' company in profit". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  5. ↑ Reporter, Gazette (September 12, 2021). "Nimble Fingers Stillorgan reflect on 59 years in business". Dublin Gazette Newspapers - Dublin News, Sport and Lifestyle. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ Kelly, Olivia (May 6, 2021). "Bowled over: Stillorgan Leisureplex to be demolished". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  7. ↑ "A sad day for community as landmark Stillorgan Bowl is levelled". Irish Independent. May 9, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  8. ↑ People, Dublin (June 17, 2017). "Stillorgan bowlers ready for Euro event". Dublin People. Archived from the original on August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  9. ↑ Reporter, Gazette (December 10, 2019). "Green light for eight-storey blocks on Stillorgan Leisureplex site". Dublin Gazette Newspapers - Dublin News, Sport and Lifestyle. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  10. ↑ Reporter, Gazette (April 25, 2019). "Application lodged for demolition of Leisureplex Stillorgan". Dublin Gazette Newspapers - Dublin News, Sport and Lifestyle. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ Quinlan, Ronald. "Eight-storey apartment blocks planned for Stillorgan bowling alley site". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ Quinlan, Ronald. "Kennedy Wilson approved for eight-storey blocks on Stillorgan bowling alley site". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Judge refuses injunction in Stillorgan Leisureplex landlord-tenant dispute". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  14. ↑ "€100m plan stalls over leisure firm's alleged refusal to vacate". Irish Independent. January 14, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  15. ↑ O’Loughlin, Ann (January 13, 2020). "€100m redevelopment plan for Stillorgan Leisureplex 'delayed by refusal to vacate'". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  16. ↑ Reporter, Gazette (September 25, 2019). "Protest at threat of Leisureplex closure". Dublin Gazette Newspapers - Dublin News, Sport and Lifestyle. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Leisured memories…". Cork Independent. February 29, 2024. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Farewell to the Coliseum, a place that bowled generations over". echo live. December 9, 2025. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Cork ladies deliver on the double in deciders". Evening Echo. June 9, 1999. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  20. ↑ Murray, Sean (September 15, 2025). "New Premier Inn for Cork city as planning granted for new hotel on Leisureplex site". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  21. ↑ Shanahan, Catherine (February 26, 2024). "Premier Inn hotel chain purchases Cork's Leisureplex entertainment complex". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ Cherfi, Saurya. "Schoolgirl (12) wins €35,000 over laser tag laceration". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  23. ↑ Cherfi, Saurya (November 22, 2016). "Schoolgirl receives €35,000 after her face was cut at a Leisureplex". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  24. ↑ Comiskey, Justin. "Double your pleasure with two leisure investments in Coolock". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 17, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Leisureplex worker chased by man with shotgun". Irish Examiner. April 17, 2007. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Dublin man gives alibi in attempted murder case". Irish Examiner. April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  27. ↑ "23-year-old gets life for attempted murder". RTE News. May 4, 2007. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Man gets life sentence for attempted murder". The Irish Times. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Man found guilty in Leisureplex case". RTE News. April 23, 2007. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Thug who shot guard in head appeals life". Irish Independent. December 5, 2008. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  31. ↑ "CCA reduces life sentence on man who shot security guard". Irish Examiner. December 19, 2008. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  32. ↑ Duffy, Rónán (February 26, 2026). "Green light for Leisureplex Blanchardstown being turned into large retailer despite opposition". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  33. 1 2 "Boy 'stopped talking' after finger trapped in door, court told". The Irish Times. Retrieved September 5, 2026.
  34. ↑ Fagan, Jack. "Cinema and Leisureplex set to open at Charlestown centre". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 20, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  35. ↑ "New cinema complex and leisureplex for Charlestown Nama gives Bailey brothers €12m to develop finglas centre". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  36. ↑ "NAMA to fund €13m Charlestown project". Irish Independent. May 23, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  37. ↑ Morgan, Edel. "New plan for leisure site". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Leisureplex books profit of €560,000". Irish Independent. January 14, 2010. pp. T2–01. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  39. ↑ Phelan, Andrew (July 1, 2009). "Leisureplex in a bid to prevent new play centre". Evening Herald. p. 17. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  40. ↑ "High Court: Injunction refused in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre car park dispute". Irish Legal News. May 20, 2026. Archived from the original on June 11, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Injunction to stop shopping centre car park spaces being converted to taxi rank refused". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
[edit]
  • Official website

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leisureplex&oldid=1375451862"