Watch: Iconic Erne Cinema in Ballyshannon demolished

It has not been operational as a cinema since a fire in the late 1960s but the old Erne Cinema in Ballyshannon was finally demolished in a smooth operation that began in the early hours of Monday morning. 
A new development will take place on the old site. 

Demolition taking place at the site of the old Erne Cinema this morning in Ballyshannon

Photo and Video: Michael McHugh

At present it has planning permission for a new hotel. 
The demolition was carried out by the Carty Group after a specialist firm was required to remove the old asbestos roof, which occurred last week and was completed on Friday. 
The cinema was built in 1946 and coincided with the construction of the hydro electric stations at Kathaleen's Fall and Cliff.

The cinema was later purchased by the McNulty family, where it was later also used as a garage.

The current owner is well-known Ballyshannon business man Rossa McCosker, who also operates the adjoining petrol station and Centra supermarket.