Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan today (9 June) launched the Film Galway Partnership at the Galway Film Centre.
The partnership, made up of a group of organisations based in Galway city and county, is designed to promote and support film and television production in the area. Partners will be encouraged to work together to market, support and facilitate production there.
Leading the group is the Galway Film Centre with the Galway County Council, Galway City Council and it has been endorsed by both the Galway County and City Development Boards . The Partnership is made up of key agencies aiming to support incoming productions with Irish Film Board / Bord Scannán na hÉireann, An Gárda Siochána, Galway Chamber of Commerce, Galway Airport, Fáilte Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Enterprise Ireland, Galway Harbour Company, Coillte, National Parks & Widlife Service, and the Office of Public Works, National Monuments Section also involved.
Speaking at the launch today Minister Deenihan said, “Galway is the second largest audiovisual region outside Dublin and is home to many award winning companies. In order to take full advantage of such a strong sector, there is a need to support the local industry with a view to attracting national and international production companies to shoot here.”
10% of Irish production companies are based in the Galway area including Abú Media (1916 Seachtar na Cásca), Telegael (Aifric), Eo Teilifis (Ros na Rún), Magma Films (Niko and the Way to the Stars) as well as broadcaster TG4. Recent projects that have filmed in the area include the soon to be released feature ‘The Guard’ starring Brendan Gleeson and the drama series ‘Jack Taylor’.