The Irish film industry could be set for an unprecedented transformation, with a proposed production facility in South Dublin looking to rival established studios such as Pinewood in London. The Dublin Fields project has the backing of some of the nation’s most successful film talents, who claim that the facilities could create thousands of local jobs.
Dublin’s Tech Hub Could Power the Project
Since the early 2000s, Dublin has grown to become one of the largest tech hubs in Europe. More than 70,000 people work in the sector, with well-established educational pipelines helping to feed new talent into a burgeoning film industry. The city hosts some of the largest technological companies in the world, from Microsoft to Google.
Other Dublin-based are also heavily involved in the entertainment sphere. For example, several of the best online gambling sites in Ireland are headquartered in Dublin, bringing players localised products that meet Ireland’s regulatory demands. The Dublin Fields studio would similarly help to bring local stories to the international market and celebrate the nation’s rich cultural output.
Dublin Fields’ World-Class Film Production Facilities
The ambitious plans for the Dublin Fields facilities are proposed to be built at the Grange Castle Business Park in South Dublin. The full-service media park will be built by MGMT Partners over 800,000 square feet and will feature six sound stage buildings with 11 internal sound stages. There will also be ancillary offices for production companies.
The proposal also includes television studios that offer three stages that will be 4,000, 6,000, and 10,000 square meters each. Each will be able to accommodate live broadcasts with audiences of up to 600 people. Other planned facilities include four workshop buildings, a reception facility with VIP services, and a two-story dining hall.
The project is backed by several Irish industry heavyweights, including Irish producer Alan Moloney, who is known for The Siege of Jadotville and Brooklyn. Oscar-nominated American Producer Gary Levinsohn, who has worked with the likes of Steven Spielberg and Terry Gilliam, has also voiced support for the project.
Economic and Social Impact
Despite its small local film industry, Ireland has produced several internationally acclaimed films and television series in recent years. Content based on Irish IP including Room, Dublin Murders, Normal People, and Brooklyn have been successful, indicating that a local Hollywood-level production facility could help bolster a wave of creative talent that is embraced globally.
Bernard Dwyer, a senior town planning consultant with Tom Phillips+Associates notes that the development will “contribute significantly to the Government’s ambitions for the screen industry nationally and will provide significant employment and training opportunities in the arts for the local and wider area.”
Projections indicate that approximately 2,800 direct jobs will be created once the studio is operational and over 2,100 indirect positions. The head of the project, Lens Media Limited, spent €26.4 million Euros on the plot in 2020 and has recently submitted its plans for a ten-year clearance from the South Dublin council.
The planning report states that the facilities “will have all the elements that will lure top productions from around the world.” It highlights London’s Pinewood Shepperton Studios as a prime example of a successful studio in the region, which has hosted the production of over 1,000 films over the last 90 years.
Market Opportunities and Sustainability
Tom Phillips+Associates’ planning report highlights that now is an opportune time to begin construction on a local studio. The Irish government recently announced a 32% tax credit for international productions shooting in the country, increasing the budget cap from €70 million to €125 million per film.
It also cites the emergence of streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon Prime and their demand for quality international content in the wake of Baby Reindeer’s awards sweep at this year’s Emmys. Other recent locally-produced hits include Bad Sisters, Derry Girls, and the Oscar-nominated Banshees of Inisherin, which indicates a global appetite for Irish film and television.
The proposed design also outlines its sustainability goals, including plans for low-carbon buildings that are weather-resilient and the inclusion of energy-efficient operations. If the project is approved, it will be the largest in the nation, surpassing the 670,000-square-foot Greystones Media Campus that is currently under construction.
A Boon for Irish Entertainment
The Dublin Fields project is still under consideration, but if approved, it would signify a new era for locally-produced content in Ireland. With backing from international producers and plans for world-class facilities, the media park wouldn’t just be good for the economy but also for the nation’s cultural arts scene.
