We have named our First Landings auditorium EMPIRE, in memory of local Skerries musician, Philip Dunne. Here is the story behind Empire Auditorium.

Philip was a budding local musician, in his twenties, with a promising career ahead of him. Philip sadly lost his life in December 2019. Our auditorium is named EMPIRE after an EP released shortly before Philip’s death.  It will be officially opened by the Dunne family following the launch of First Landings in 2020.

A friend of the Dunnes, First Landings owner and local Skerries businessman, Donnacha Neary, approached the family to request permission to name the new auditorium EMPIRE out of respect for Philip’s love of music and to honour his memory.

Damien Dunne, Philip’s father commented “We appreciate being approached to name the auditorium after Philip’s EP, EMPIRE. Our message to anyone struggling comes from another of Philip’s songs ‘Bring Me Home’, the sentiment being, ‘if the sun doesn’t find you, just keep dancing in the rain.

We are proud to preserve Philip’s memory with the naming of our new auditorium after his EP, EMPIRE. Philip was an extremely talented musician and touched the hearts of many in his local community of Skerries. We will always remember him.

We also have one of Philip’s guitars, kindly donated to Donnacha, displayed at the entrance to EMPIRE to pay tribute to Philip and his talent.

To read more about our Auditorium click HERE

If you are in need of support or would like to speak to organisations that can help, contact Pieta House HERE