New €1.5m studio to be built in Ireland

Cork County Council has approved planning permission to develop a €1.5m new film and TV production facility in Skibbereen, Ireland.

The furniture manufacturer O'Donnell Design proposed to change the use of one-third of its 20,000 sq ft building as a film set with the construction of film stages. 

The West Cork Film Studios will be located in Poundlick and will reportedly include four new sound stages, office space and workshops.

The team behind the project includes Stephen Park, head of construction in film, Sharon Corcoran CCC, Édaín Ní Dhomhnaill, scenic painter (and great granddaughter of the factory's founder John Reen), Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Ian Mac Donagh Arts Officer CCC, Aodh O Donnell owner of O'Donnell's Furniture, Martin Goulding film designer and art director (see picture to the right).

Construction is expected to run for eight weeks until completion. The development of the new studio will also be aimed at training locals to develop filmmaking skills as well as boosting tourism in the region. 

The Last Duel location manager Stan Nangle and production designer Martin Goulding (The Green Knight) are also reportedly involved in the project.