Scouting around Laois for Hollywood locations

A new initiative is underway that has to potential to set Laois up as a ready made location for film makers to shoot movies, TV shows or other productions.

Over the last four years, Creative Laois initiatives have established roots and reinforced Laois County Council’s commitment to the role of arts, heritage, culture, and community.

The launch of an annual Short Film Bursary took place in 2021 and also in 2022, and will continue annually as part of the Creative Laois 2023-2027 programme.

Ann Lawlor is Creative Laois project manager. She believes this can have a long term benefit.

“The continuity of the bursary and other screen and media initiatives can establish foundations upon which film practice and film culture in Laois may be grown in the years to come. It is evident from other counties and cities that investment in the growth of film culture will, in time, generate economic dividends from such investment, in terms of employment, tourism and services. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Location Scouting at The Rock of Dunamase with Leeona Duff and Katherine Foyle.

“A welcome initiative is the scoping of potential sites across the county as a means to open up and introduce filmmakers and location producers to Laois and its unique and also ordinary film location assets,” she said.

Ms Lawlor said Portlaoise native and producer Leeona Duff alongside Durrow native and photographer Katherine Foyle from Up on Blue Bridge Productions recently spent time travelling around the county, searching for and documenting potential film locations.

“Their remit was to identify a locations that represent distinct and unique natural and historical sites, as well as the curious and the ordinary, that potentially could be used for future film & TV projects,” she said.

Ms Lawlor said that the portfolio of images captured and associated logistical information is to be shared with the Location Guild of Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, Screen Ireland, regional film offices and will be available at Laois.ie MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Ger and June Whelan - owners of The Deadman’s Inn, Ballyfin. Picture credit: Katherine Foyle

The ten locations for 2022 selected by producer Leeona Duff are: 

• Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch, Timahoe;
• Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise;
• Stradbally Market Stand;
• Bloom HQ, Mountrath;
• Rock of Dunamase;
• Roundwood House;
• Deadman’s Inn, Ockanaroe, Ballyfin;
• The Forge, Cappalane, Cathole Falls, Cloneyhurke;
• Timahoe Round Tower/Village Green.

Ms Lawlor said this selection represents a variety of requirements that are looked for when making films and TV series, with interior and exterior locations.

Ms Lawlor says that if you are interested in proposing other locations in Laois to be considered including, natural, heritage, private homes and commercial/ business sites, go to the Creative Ireland 2022 page at Laois.ie or email Laois Arts Office at artsoff@laoiscoco.ie or call 057 8664033/8664109 for all information.

Michael Lacumbre (owner) and film producer Leeona Duff at Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch Timahoe. Picture credit: Katherine Foyle

You can follow Creative Laois on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for all opportunities on the support and development of Laois’s Screen Sector.

€660,000 bill to repair and relet sixty Laois council houses

‘Prospective Filming Locations in Laois’ is supported by Creative Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council Arts Office and Dunamaise Arts Centre.