Limerick’s new film production facility, Troy Studios, is expected to complete its construction and refurbishment work by mid September. The facility, which is based in the former Dell building in Castletroy just outside Limerick city, hopes to host an open day towards the end of September to welcome interested parties.
The works have seen the 340,000 sq ft building converted to add 70,000 sq ft of studio space with three sound stages, as well as offices and suites of support facilities. The building is intended to become a media cluster for production companies, who will be able to support film and TV production on site.
Speaking to the Limerick Leader Mike Cantwell of Innovate Limerick, said:
The construction is at an advanced stage and is due for completion in early to mid September. It is a world class facility, they have had people from around the world over viewing it and it is the one thing that everybody says back to them, is that there is nothing like this. Because everything is under the one roof. Studios in general have the soundstage in one building and production in another – out in Troy it is all under one roof. We are not aware that any particular production has signed up yet, (but) I think that is only a matter of a short time.
The news comes just days after the announcement that a new Film Film Production training centre will be established in Limerick to help staff Troy Studios within four years.
Speaking about the opening of the facility Cantwell added that the intention was to host an “open day towards the end of September”.
That would be where we invite everybody from the region and from beyond that has an interest in working in the area to come and meet Screen Ireland, the Film Board and all the active parties in training and let people come and tell us what their skills are. If they are interested in working in that area, we will then be able to provide – working with the education and training board – to put together the training courses that are required to get those people ready to be able to go in and work there.
Troy Studios Limited has been established by Ardmore Studios’ Chief Executive Siún Ní Raghallaigh, Ardmore co-owner Ossie Kilkenny, and producer John Kelleher. The studio is likely to employ 6-10 full time core staff on site, with up to 500 staff employed during productions. Pinewood On Location, the production services division of Pinewood Studios, will manage Troy’s international bookings.