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Ardmore Studios

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139:, Ardmore began to struggle financially. In 2013 Siún Ní Raghallaigh was appointed CEO, implementing cost cuts and restructuring the company. In 2018, Ardmore was sold to Olcott Entertainment, an Irish company headed by businessman Joe Devine, who had developed another rival studio, Troy, in Limerick during 2017. Ní Raghallaigh was retained as CEO of both studios. Olcott sold Ardmore and Troy to a US consortium headed by Hackman Capital Partners in 2021. 511:
During its MTM incarnation in the 1980s, Ardmore extended its facilities and built new sound stages. Today it offers 5 stages, including a water tank facility. In the early 1980s a handful of service provider companies were located on the lot. Under O'Sullivan's management, the range of Ardmore-based
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The studio struggled through several changes of ownership in its early years, entering receivership in 1963, 1971 and 1972. After several ownership changes, the studio became the government-backed National Film Studios of Ireland in 1975, under the management of Sheamus Smith. During Smith's tenure,
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based on the events of the Irish Rebellions of 1641 and 1798, which earned the disapproval of both the British Home Office and the Irish Catholic Church. Olcott continued Irish filmmaking, with most of his films shot in County Kerry, specifically in the towns of Beaufort, Dunloe and Killarney. To
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The withdrawal of government funding effectively closed the studios in the early 1980s. For several years the lot fell into disrepair but the studio was reactivated by an initiative led by an Irish independent company, Tara Productions, in partnership with MTM Hollywood and the Irish National
491:. RTE had purchased the rights to make an Irish version of the popular dancing show, however, it became obvious to RTE that the studios at their television centre in Donnybrook in Dublin would not be large enough for the scale of the show, and so Ardmore Studios was chosen. 187:
Finally, in the late 1950s, Emmet Dalton and Louis Elliman, with funding from the Irish government and the promise of production finance from the United States, acquired a 10-acre site in Bray, Co. Wicklow, about 25 kilometres south of
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derailed this plan. Irish filmmaking continued, with native-born directors initiating their own work, but through the 1920s and 1930s and 1940s, no purpose-built studio facilitated year-round filmmaking in Ireland.
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In 2021, Olcott sold Ardmore and Troy to a US consortium led by Hackman Capital Partners. The new owners, who operate film studios around the world, are currently developing another major studio facility in nearby
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In April 2018 Irish firm Olcott Entertainment Limited officially announced the full acquisition of Ardmore, after purchasing the shares owned by Ardmore Studios Limited (68%) and Enterprise Ireland (32%).
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in 1963. Business difficulties followed, and when the Irish government called in its loans, the studios were placed in receivership, in a bid to release it from labour agreements with local film unions.
93:. When government funding was withdrawn in the early 1980s, Ardmore was briefly owned by the Indian producer Mahmud Sipra, before the studios were taken over in 1986 by a consortium made up of 117:. Under managing director Kevin Moriarty, the studios thrived during the 1990s and 2000s as the Irish film and television industry expanded. Notable productions during this time included 101:
attempted to attract major international film and television productions to Ireland, but several planned MTM productions failed to materialise, and when MTM was sold to the UK company
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city centre. They began converting the site into a modern film studio, opening for business in May 1958. The first production to emerge the studios was an adaptation of
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assumed the role of chairman. The studios were renovated and renamed as The National Film Studios of Ireland, and subsequently hosted several major movies including
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made his first visit to Ireland in 1910. Prior to this time most Irish filmmaking consisted of newsreels. Olcott's first movie based in Ireland was
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Enterprise Authority. Thereafter, the renamed MTM Ardmore Studios made its mark again on the global scene with the success of
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In the 2000s, Ardmore turned increasingly to servicing international television production. Major productions included
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facilitate year-round filming, Olcott planned the building of a serviced studio based in Beaufort. The outbreak of
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were filmed at Ardmore Studios. In 1991, a street set, known as 'The Lot', was built. In 1994, the studio hosted
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service and facility companies increased to include other specialised related businesses. These include:
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in 1988, the MTM stake was sold to Ardmore Studios International, a company owned equally by
1350: 1019: 590: 370: 275: 258: 23: 8: 913: 837: 713: 526: 447: 388: 364:, at the studios and in the local hills of Wicklow. Also produced during this decade was 131: 65: 31: 797: 1386: 1354: 1151: 1074: 973: 935: 1339: 1141: 853: 729: 697: 651: 461: 397: 348: 314: 302: 198: 102: 80: 1146: 993: 1380: 379: 325: 110: 94: 361: 319:
In 1975 Sheamus Smith became managing director of the studios and film director
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comedies. The studios landed its first major motion picture with 1959's
1234:"Ardmore Studios will provide the set for RTÉ's Dancing With the Stars" 1197:"Wicklow's Ardmore Studios Is The Set For RTE's Dancing With the Stars" 829: 765: 546: 500: 441: 432: 427: 202:, starring Macken and directed by Emmy Award-winning Fielder Cooke for 125: 59: 1103: 845: 721: 456: 422: 53: 1293: 282:, an Oscar nomination. Other films produced at this time include 555: 315:
The National Film Studios of Ireland and MTM Ardmore Studios era
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Ambitious Irish-based filmmaking began when producer-director
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Olcott Entertainment completes acquisition of Ardmore Studios
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The Floor's Will Odum on Good Day Atlanta (Jan 2, 2024 9AM)
1431: 106: 1062: 256:. In 1961, Ardmore Studios hosted the controversial 147: 906: 1338: 479:In January 2017 the studios were used by RTE for 182: 1477: 1438:Dáil Éireann Parliamentary Debate, December 1993 1134:Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television 1098: 1096: 1094: 1092: 1090: 485:, Ireland's version of the popular British show 346:In 1981, Boorman filmed his $ 11.5 million epic 961: 959: 957: 955: 953: 951: 539:Companies located at Ardmore studios include: 506: 242:. A year later progress was consolidated when 1171:"Boorman's 'Excalibur' sees 30th anniversary" 1087: 556:Productions made at, or based in, the studios 210:shot the next two productions at the studio, 948: 420:From 1989 until 1994, all interior shots of 267: 1374: 1372: 1370: 969:Screen Workers and the Irish Film Industry 37:It opened in 1958 under the management of 1385:. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 63. 1145: 972:. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. 1378: 1367: 1258:. Cineuropa. Retrieved 7 September 2018 465:, directed by Neil Jordan, in 2011, and 1440:Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill, 1993 1254:Abbatescianni, Davide. (3 April 2018). 1168: 922:VH1 Presents: The Corrs, Live in Dublin 412:, for her portrayal of Brown's mother. 135:(2011). Following the opening of rival 1478: 1336: 1217: 1194: 1127: 1017: 965: 870:Dancing with the Stars (Irish version) 535:Make-up, hair and wardrobe department. 1068: 1491:Film production companies of Ireland 79:notable movies based there included 1218:Becker, Kendra (20 November 2016). 1018:Deegan, Gordon (10 December 2013). 13: 1379:Cottrell, Peter (19 August 2008). 1349:: Cork University Press. pp.  1073:. Dublin, Ireland: Currach Press. 14: 1502: 1425: 1195:Murphy, Eoin (20 November 2016). 1169:Fogerty, Mary (26 January 2011). 636:The Spy Who Came in from the Cold 148:Irish film before Ardmore Studios 48:The Spy Who Came in from the Cold 907:Music albums recorded at Ardmore 605:J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors 445:, filmed between 2006 and 2010, 378:and starring Huston's daughter, 1399: 1330: 1308: 1286: 1261: 1248: 1226: 1211: 474: 352:, where he cast a then-unknown 1188: 1162: 1128:Murphy, Denis (3 April 2022). 1121: 1037: 1011: 986: 415: 374:, based on the short story by 266:, which was nominated for the 183:Early years of Ardmore Studios 1: 1147:10.1080/01439685.2021.1922037 941: 684:The Last Remake of Beau Geste 113:and show business accountant 86:The First Great Train Robbery 559: 206:. Renowned British director 95:Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises 7: 1382:The Irish Civil War 1922–23 929: 507:Facilities based at Ardmore 451:, filmed in 2010, starring 10: 1507: 873:(TV series) (2017-present) 575:Shake Hands with the Devil 561: 396:, which earned Oscars for 227:Shake Hands with the Devil 142: 1316:"Ardmore Studio Services" 1269:"Greystones Media Campus" 1236:. Bray.ie. 6 January 2017 1104:"Ardmore Studios History" 758:In the Name of the Father 602:(1961) - (distributed by 400:for his portrayal of the 268: 1337:Farley, Fidelma (2001). 1273:Hackman Capital Partners 914:The Corrs: MTV Unplugged 583:Sword of Sherwood Forest 551:World 2000 Entertainment 516:Digital Sound Facilities 220:, both based on popular 159:The Lad from Old Ireland 1318:. Ardmore Studios. 2015 1296:. Ardmore Studios. 2015 1071:The Story of Irish Film 865:(TV series) (2014-2016) 833:(TV series) (2007–2010) 336:The Great Train Robbery 1069:Flynn, Arthur (2005). 966:Murphy, Denis (2024). 482:Dancing with the Stars 16:Film studio in Ireland 488:Strictly Come Dancing 278:and earned its star, 1462:53.19667°N 6.12500°W 1108:ardmore-studios Copy 896:(American game show) 790:The Tailor of Panama 276:Cannes Film Festival 166:. His follow-up was 34:oldest film studio. 1458: /  519:Lighting Facilities 213:Sally's Irish Rogue 1486:Irish film studios 1467:53.19667; -6.12500 841:(TV series) (2010) 814:Breakfast on Pluto 660:The Lion in Winter 532:Production offices 979:978-1-80207-595-3 936:Cinema of Ireland 904: 903: 430:'s Oscar-winning 253:A Terrible Beauty 99:Morgan O'Sullivan 1498: 1473: 1472: 1470: 1469: 1468: 1463: 1459: 1456: 1455: 1454: 1451: 1434:official website 1419: 1418: 1417: 1415: 1403: 1397: 1396: 1376: 1365: 1364: 1344: 1334: 1328: 1327: 1325: 1323: 1312: 1306: 1305: 1303: 1301: 1290: 1284: 1283: 1281: 1279: 1265: 1259: 1252: 1246: 1245: 1243: 1241: 1230: 1224: 1223: 1215: 1209: 1208: 1206: 1204: 1192: 1186: 1185: 1183: 1181: 1166: 1160: 1159: 1149: 1125: 1119: 1118: 1116: 1114: 1100: 1085: 1084: 1066: 1060: 1059: 1057: 1055: 1041: 1035: 1034: 1032: 1030: 1015: 1009: 1008: 1006: 1004: 990: 984: 983: 963: 878:The Green Knight 846:The Last Furlong 730:Fools of Fortune 652:The Viking Queen 560: 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Evoke.ie 942:References 830:The Tudors 766:Braveheart 547:Panavision 501:Greystones 442:The Tudors 433:Braveheart 428:Mel Gibson 270:Palme d'Or 126:The Tudors 60:Braveheart 1453:6°07′30″W 1414:4 January 1156:0143-9685 894:The Floor 854:Byzantium 722:Fair City 698:Excalibur 462:Byzantium 457:Eva Green 423:Fair City 404:sufferer 349:Excalibur 339:starring 264:Guy Green 196:'s play, 54:Fair City 32:Ireland's 930:See also 609:- (with 591:The Mark 408:and for 371:The Dead 259:The Mark 123:(1992), 109:manager 1278:27 July 1180:21 June 998:ifta.ie 838:Camelot 448:Camelot 274:at the 234:winner 143:History 132:Camelot 1389:  1357:  1154:  1113:26 May 1077:  1054:26 May 1029:26 May 1003:26 May 976:  925:(2002) 917:(1999) 898:(2024) 889:(2022) 881:(2020) 857:(2012) 849:(2011) 825:(2007) 817:(2005) 809:(2004) 801:(2002) 798:Evelyn 793:(2001) 785:(1999) 777:(1996) 769:(1995) 761:(1993) 753:(1991) 745:(1991) 733:(1990) 717:(1989) 709:(1982) 701:(1981) 693:(1980) 687:(1977) 679:(1974) 676:Zardoz 671:(1972) 668:Images 663:(1968) 655:(1967) 647:(1966) 639:(1965) 631:(1963) 623:(1963) 594:(1961) 586:(1960) 578:(1959) 570:(1958) 529:stores 190:Dublin 706:Angel 296:with 232:Oscar 164:Kalem 30:, is 22:, in 1416:2024 1387:ISBN 1355:ISBN 1347:Cork 1324:2018 1302:2018 1280:2024 1242:2018 1205:2018 1182:2012 1152:ISSN 1115:2023 1075:ISBN 1056:2023 1031:2023 1005:2023 974:ISBN 527:prop 455:and 360:and 333:and 290:and 238:and 216:and 69:and 41:and 24:Bray 1142:doi 436:. 368:'s 286:'s 250:'s 83:'s 1482:: 1369:^ 1353:. 1351:12 1345:. 1271:. 1173:. 1150:. 1138:42 1136:. 1132:. 1106:. 1089:^ 1047:. 1022:. 996:. 950:^ 503:. 459:, 382:. 356:, 343:. 107:U2 75:. 63:, 57:, 26:, 1395:. 1363:. 1326:. 1304:. 1282:. 1244:. 1207:. 1184:. 1158:. 1144:: 1117:. 1083:. 1058:. 1033:. 1007:. 982:. 614:) 607:) 171:, 50:,

Index

Bray
County Wicklow
Ireland's
Emmet Dalton
Louis Elliman
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Fair City
Braveheart
My Left Foot
Veronica Guerin
Michael Crichton
The First Great Train Robbery
Sean Connery
Mary Tyler Moore Enterprises
Morgan O'Sullivan
Television South
U2
Paul McGuinness
Ossie Kilkenny
Far and Away
The Tudors
Camelot
Ashford Studios
Sidney Olcott
The Lad from Old Ireland
Kalem
Rory O'More
World War I
Dublin
Walter Macken

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