Adapted film studio planned for Dublin

Initially reported by the Irish Times, the project is being developed by James Morris, founder of Dublin music recording facility Windmill Lane Studios, and film producer Alan Moloney, whose credits include vampire drama Byzantium, action movie Haywire and the period romance Brooklyn.

“This is very good news for the Irish film and television industry,” said James Hickey, chief executive of the Irish Film Board. “There is an urgent need for increased studio infrastructure in Ireland to increase production activity which will create further employment opportunities in the audiovisual industry, building on the success of the industry to date.”

Ireland does already offer Ardmore Studios and Ashford Studios, but both are situated outside Dublin.

Ashford Studios in particular is based some distance south of the capital in County Wicklow but has been the production base for History Channel’s hit scripted series Vikings (pictured) for the past few years. The studio’s owner recently announced plans for a €90m expansion to help draw further international attention to the region.

Ireland offers a generous filming incentive programme and has had a profile boost from the new Star Wars franchise. The Force Awakens spent a few days shooting on the island of Skellig Michael off the south-west coast and the upcoming Episode VIII just wrapped scenes along the west coast’s Wild Atlantic Way.

A separate adapted film studio is also being developed in Limerick in western Ireland. Troy Studios will be managed by Ardmore Studios and international bookings are being organised through Pinewood On Location, a global production services division of Pinewood Studios.

For more on filming in Ireland see our production guide.

Image: History Channel