Chamber says former airport is ideal for film studios

Galway Chamber is spearheading a plan to bring a little bit of Hollywood to the city – by developing film studios at the airport.

The business group has proposed the development of a ‘creative media’ cluster on the 115-acre site.

“The two hangars would make ideal studios, they’re the right size and the right height – and the runway would be retained, so film stars might be flown in,” Frank Green, President of Galway Chamber said.

The proposal is contained in the Chamber’s Economic Development Plan for 2015-2020.

“Probably the newest and greatest asset available to the city is the airport complex, suitable to create an Airport Enterprise park. It is a large zoned enterprise area on the edge of the city and proximate to the east-west and north-south motorways.

“This is an ideal site for new large developments that might include a new emerging cluster such as Creative Media, include infrastructure for large film studios, and the use of the private airfield to support work carried out within a chosen sector,” the proposal reads.

Mr Greene said that Galway has a very rich heritage in relation to the arts sector – the Irish Film Board is located here, there’s TG4 and a host of animation companies.

“It ties in perfectly with Galway’s UNESCO City of Film status. The potential is huge and plans should be put in place to earmark some collateral for a film hub to provide major film production facilities here.

“Limerick has announced plans for a legacy project for their City of Culture, Limerick Film which includes plans for a multi-million euro film production hub there. This has the backing of Limerick City and County Council who are to work with Ardmore studios on the project.”

For more on this week’s story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune