Written by on Jul 29, 2015. Posted in On Location

Limerick signs new agreement to create adapted studio in Mid-West Ireland

Authorities in Limerick in Mid-West Ireland have signed an agreement to adapt a former factory into a film studio. Production in Ireland is based in the Dublin area, where shows like Vikings and Penny Dreadful are filmed.

Limerick City and County Council had planned to make a deal that would involve Ardmore Studios near Dublin managing a new studio facility.

Instead, Ardmore executives have created new company Troy Studios that will take on the task of developing the Limerick facility for a planned opening in mid-2016.

“We’re delighted to be working with Troy Studios in facilitating the company in its plans to establish a significant media hub for film and television production in Limerick,” said Conn Murray, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council.

“The availability of appropriate full service studio space in the country is a restraining factor for Ireland’s audio visual sector’s growth,” added Siún Ní Raghallaigh, Director of Troy Studios.

“Today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction to redress that imbalance. The establishment of Troy Studios will assist Ireland take advantage of the 30% growth in global creative audiovisual content predicted for the next five years.”

Last month Ardmore Studios launched Ardmore Film Factory, an additional facility minutes away from its main location in Bray County outside Dublin.

Pinewood Productions Ireland launched in May this year and will provide production services for its clients shooting in the country. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was based at Pinewood in London last year, but also filmed scenes off the coast of County Kerry.

Current Irish Film Board commissioner Naoise Barry has been appointed Head of Production for Pinewood Productions Ireland.

(Image: History)