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A CAMPAIGN TO save one of Ireland’s only film studios has gathered thousands of supporters after it emerged it was to be sold.
Ardmore Studios in Bray, Wicklow, is currently for sale, much to the anger of locals who have said the unconditional sale of the site will lead to the studio being dismantled.
The site has been used to film movies and TV shows such as Braveheart, The Field and Moone Boy.
At the time of writing, an online petition to save Ardmore had garnered 2,723 signatures.
According to the petitioner, the sale was advertised as an ongoing concern with the function of the land and buildings to remain as they are.
However, talks have begun to consider an unconditional sale, which simply put could mean that the land and buildings may be used for other purposes such as residential, commercial/retail etc.
The repercussions of a sale on these terms would be felt by the industry as a whole, with the loss of thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly in the Wicklow/Dublin area and beyond.
Local Sinn Féin TD John Brady has called on Arts Minister Heather Humphreys to step in and save the studio.
He said: “The recent announcement that Ardmore Studios is to be sold came as a huge shock to all those involved in Ardmore Studios and also to me as a public representative. During previous meetings I held with the CEO, discussions were about the expansion of Ardmore Studios and never any potential sell off. The huge concern was highlighted in the huge numbers that turned up to the protest today.
“Ardmore Studios are internationally renowned as Ireland’s leading provider of film and TV studio infrastructure. The studios are highly regarded and have been home to hundreds of national and international film and TV productions since it was established in 1958.
“The silence from Ministers Heather Humphries and Mary Mitchell O’Connor to numerous representations that have made to their offices cannot continue.”
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“One of Ireland’s only”!!!! Is it the only one or not?
No a new big studio was created in Limerick this year and I’m pretty sure a few exist around the country
@Ian Phillip Creaner: Ashford in Wicklow
It’s not petitions that will save Ardmore, it’s money. I’m sure the locals are more than welcome to buy the property at market rate like anyone else.
This government really are shameless. Anything to make a few bob with no regard to the long term consequences. The whole country is being sold off.
Are they supposed to step in and save every failed business with OUR money?
The government / RTE do not own Ardmore !
The article fails to mention that the government own 32% of it so would have a major say in what happens to it hence why they are being criticised.
@nialls: “They know the price of everything and the value of nothing” – Oscar Wilde
@ Guru. The government hasn’t had anything to do with Ardmore studios since the early 80′s. They became share holders in the 70′s when things where looking bad for Ardmore. Once things picked up in the early 80′s the government stepped away and the studio was then bought out privately. So people are misdirecting their criticism.
Look at the online petition. It says the government own 31.6% of Ardmore Studios
Or else people aren’t doing their research
As Abraham Lincoln once said, It’s on the internet it must be true
The government owns one third of it.
The govt knows the price of everything and the value of nothing
@Rosa Parks:
Sorry but I could think of a lot of things higher up my priority list than a bankrupt film studio
The cause of, and solution to, everything – government intervention!
Ah sure who else will do it. Not people themselves.
Film plots have to the leftie and greenie. Who will pay to see that?
Considering they knocked the church in St James that was of historical signifence and they are refusing to but Pearce s letter i don’t think saving a film studio is high on the list of priorities for Edna and Heather
@Mary Murphy:
And rightly so, god knows there plenty of reasons to knock this government, they are not on the list
Roy Keane looked happy to meet Mel Gibson there
have your say