Ireland’s film and TV industry continues to gain momentum. Now, officials have given plans for a brand new world-class film studio in Ireland the green light.
Officials have given plans for a brand new state-of-the-art film studio the green light for Ireland, with construction due to begin in October.
Hammerlake Studios will be located on a 25-acre site at Lough Sheever Corporate Park in Mullingar, County Westmeath. It is set to become Ireland’s largest film studio.
A planning application for the purpose-built film, television, and content production campus received approval confirmation on 12 July 2022. So, it’s all steam ahead as officials give the state-of-the-art film studio the green light for Ireland.
Exciting times for Ireland’s film and TV industry – a thriving sector
Following the success of other Irish studios, such as Titanic Studios in Belfast, and recognising Ireland as an attractive destination for film producers, Hammerlake proposed plans for the brand new studios in Mullingar.
Receiving approval last week, Hammerlake Studios is set to become the biggest of its kind in Ireland. So, studio managers hope that the development will attract some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the global film industry to consider Ireland as a possible filming destination.
Hammerlake projects the exciting new development will generate around €50 million annually for the Mullingar economy. This will be a huge boost for the local area and hopefully drive tourism to this much-overlooked part of Ireland.
Officials give state-of-the-art film studio green light for Ireland ‒ the plans for construction
According to current plans, construction of the new film studio will take place over two phases. Phase one will be a 236,000 sq ft (21,925 sq m) studio made up of four studios suitable for large-scale film and television production.
Plans for this phase also include an administrative building, various workshops, and data technology centres. They also plan to include editing rooms, food halls, and fitness centres, among other amenities.
Hammerlake Studios estimate construction of this phase will take around 12 months, creating 300 construction jobs. Studio managers plan the first film productions to commence in the first quarter of 2024, creating over 350 production jobs in the area.
Plenty planned for the new studio ‒ a two-phase build
The committee has already given phase one of the state-of-the-art film studio the green light for Ireland. However, they plan to submit phase two for planning approval in summer 2023.
The blueprint shows plans to add seven additional studios, almost doubling the size of the original phase one build. They plan to begin production of phase two in 2025. Hammerlake estimates the creation of a minimum of 1,000 production jobs by this time.
CEO of Hammerlake Studios Paul Chesney said he is excited about the approval of plans for the studio in Mullingar. He explained, “We are excited by the decision by Westmeath County Council to grant us planning in principle.
“It represents a significant step forward in our plans to build a world-class film and content production facility in Mullingar, one capable of accommodating the biggest and best film productions.”
