Iconic Waterford venue ‘Forum’ set to change hands after four decades

The ‘Forum’, one of Waterford’s most storied venues, will be sold to a Dublin-based business person. The value of the sale and the buyer’s identity have not yet been disclosed.

Tenants include No 21 Off-Licence, Golden Meal Chinese Restaurant, House Of Beauty by Maria, The Walls Project (Waterford Walls) and Forum Film Studios. All are due to remain in place under the new proprietors’ guidance.

Ciaran and Siobhan O’Neill bought the venue in 1985. The property had first been a bacon factory, before transforming to ‘The Regal Cinema Deluxe’ in 1935- a cinema that would also hold intermittent live events.

The O’Neills bought the premises aiming to court touring acts that had previously glanced over the Déise due to a lack of appropriate venues.

Officially opened in 1990, the Forum did just that, welcoming some of music’s most defining names. Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Corrs, David Gray, Scissor Sisters and Gilbert O’Sullivan were just some of the artists to grace the venue.

The venue also played host to comedians and actors: Tommy Tiernan, Mario Rosenstock and Woody Harrelson all made appearances.

The venue also operated through the late nights. The South East’s first weekly gay club night, ‘Flytrap’, was held at the Forum, alongside other clubs like ‘Musiklab’, ‘Shakedown’ and ‘Traffik.’ 

 “The Forum has been my life’s work for over 40 years,” said Ciaran O’Neill.

“When I was approached to sell, a priority was ensuring that bingo and our tenants would not be displaced. I am pleased to confirm that the sale includes an agreement that bingo will continue to operate here exactly as it does now, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.” 

The Forum’s current Bingo manager Linda Byrne will take charge of Bingo operations.

“I am delighted that Linda Byrne will be taking over the reins,” said Mr O’Neill.

“She has been with the Forum for over 28 years now and knows our customers and this operation better than anyone.

“I will be working closely with Linda over the coming months to ensure a seamless handover for everyone involved.”