Ivan Dunleavy, the former CEO of Pinewood Studios in the UK, has embarked on a new studio venture in Ireland called Tara Studios. Located at the 154-acre Borleagh Manor estate in County Wexford, Tara Studios is just a short drive from Dublin and is connected to the capital via a motorway. While currently open for location shoots, the studio has plans to construct seven studio stages that would offer a total of 150,000 square feet of space. The largest stage is set to be 30,000 square feet, and an additional 90,000 square feet will be allocated for workshop and office space. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2024, with completion expected by July 2025. The project, which Dunleavy estimates will cost “tens of millions of dollars,” aims to establish Tara Studios as Ireland’s largest facility for film and TV productions.
Dunleavy is joined in this venture by veteran film financier John Gleeson, who heads the Dublin office of Saffery. Both Dunleavy and Gleeson hope to capitalize on the high demand for stage space in Ireland. The country has long been a favored destination for major shoots due to its diverse range of locations. Recent notable productions in Ireland include “Cocaine Bear,” “Vikings: Valhalla,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and “Bad Sisters.” However, despite the popularity of filming in Ireland, the country lacks sufficient studio facilities.
Dunleavy explains that there is currently a shortage of stage space in Ireland, with only approximately 250,000 square feet available despite the demand projection of around one million square feet. Finding the right location for Tara Studios took Dunleavy and Gleeson about two years. The proximity to Dublin, airports, four- and five-star hotels for crews, as well as the secluded nature of the Borleagh Manor estate were all important factors in the decision.
Interestingly, Borleagh Manor has its own connection to Hollywood history. The 18th-century estate was previously owned by Richard Greene, a popular 1950s matinee idol known for his role in the British TV series “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Greene was known to have hosted prestigious guests such as Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, and Richard Burton at the estate. To honor its film connections, various images of Greene have been displayed at Tara Studios.
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While the opening of Tara Studios coincides with a period of uncertainty in the industry, with streamers scaling back on content spending and the actors’ strike causing production disruptions, Dunleavy remains optimistic about attracting interest in his new venture. He believes that the global demand for new content continues to rise, and although there may be fluctuations in the industry, the consumption of new material has become a habit for many during the pandemic.
In conclusion, Ivan Dunleavy’s Tara Studios in Ireland is set to become the country’s largest facility for film and TV productions. With plans to construct seven studio stages and provide a total of 150,000 square feet of space, Tara Studios aims to meet the high demand for stage space in Ireland. Located at the historic Borleagh Manor estate and connected to Dublin, the studio offers privacy and convenient amenities for crews. Despite industry uncertainties, Dunleavy remains confident in the global demand for new content, which he believes will continue to drive interest in Tara Studios.
