Animation Ireland’s CEO Ronan McCabe delivers a hopeful and encouraging message to the international market that the animation industry in Ireland is still viable and open for business, in spite of the remote working conditions due to Covid 19.
-“I greet you today from an Ireland that is unrecognisable from the country that we lived in before the outbreak of the coronavirus.
I am very aware that some of you will be grieving for lost loved ones or experiencing unforeseen financial hardship at this time and I would like to let you know, on behalf of Animation Ireland, that our thoughts are with you and your families. Hopefully through our collective efforts the progress of the virus will be slowed and we can return to some semblance of normality soon.
It is difficult to keep everything going in the face of such an unprecedented threat to our way of life but we also need to try and keep our businesses operating. To that end all Irish animation studios have shifted to remote working and are operating as virtual, studios now. Unlike so many other sectors of the economy, animation lends itself to distance working and is still a viable industry despite the current crisis. In the absence of our usual markets and festivals routine, I want to let you know that Ireland is open for business and that Irish creative minds are working hard to find ways to collaborate with partners across the world. Our industry has long had a reputation for collegiality and by its very nature is co-operative on an international scale. We may only see each other virtually for now but we can still get things done!
Development continues apace and new shows and characters are being created. Our studios are also actively seeking service work. Animation Ireland and our industry partners are working on establishing a virtual alternative to showcase our new ideas. In the meantime you can reach our studios through the normal channels or through us at www.animationireland.com.
We will get through this and the crisis will pass and how we behave now will define our industry and our long-term relationships with each other.
We will post our contact details and invite you to view our showreel at the end of this message.
So please, stay safe, stay sane and wash your hands!
Go raibh mile maith agaibh!”- Ronan McCabe
(Top L – Bottom R: John Rice, JAM Media; Claire Finn, Lighthouse Studios; Zoe Doyle, Maverick Films; Ronan McCabe, CEO Animation Ireland; Alex Sherwood, Giant; Graham Holbrook, Treehouse Republic; Moe Honan, Industry Chair; Niamh Herrity, Pink Kong Studios; Andrew Kavanagh, Kavaleer; Trevor Courtney; Igloo Films; John O’Connell, Studio9; Paul Young, Cartoon Saloon; Phoebe Carey, Moetion Films; Ian Hamiliton, elk. Studios; Nicky Gogan, Piranha Bar; Darragh O’Connell, Brown Bag Films; Tamsin Lyons, Ink & Light; Aria Ungerer, Pictor; Stephen Fagan, Studio Meala; Colm Tobin, Turnip & Duck.
Animation Ireland is the trade association for the leading Irish animation studios working together to promote Ireland’s world class sector internationally. The sector employs more than 2,000 people in Ireland, with the number having grown significantly in the past number of years.
Animation Ireland now has 33 member studios, up from 25 in 2018 and just 14 in 2015.
For more info: www.animationireland.com
Please Note: Ronan McCabe is available for interview.