Enterprise Ireland looking at developing skills in readiness for film studio

Projects to develop skills, from costume to animation, in readiness for the planned major film studio in Mullingar, are being examined and two potential sites, in Mullingar and Athlone, are being looked at, Michael Brougham of Enterprise Ireland has revealed.

Addressing the April meeting of Westmeath County Council, he said it is hoped that the film studio will materialise, but pointed out that “it is part of a broader growth in creative and screen industries in the country”.

He said there was “a huge issue around skills” and the only impediment to the plan going ahead, other than money, was the availability of skilled individuals.

“At the moment, all the organisations involved in the creative industry, from a national prospective, are sitting around a table to try to figure out how the hell can we get this show on the road and get it up and funded,” Mr Brougham said.

“It is very different from our traditional manufacturing sector, but it very important in terms of what it can do for a place like Westmeath,” he stated.