Ireland’s film industry is experiencing unprecedented success, buoyed by sustained investment, local talent development, and some of the world’s most generous tax incentives. Once considered a fantasy career for aspiring filmmakers, the industry has grown into a billion-euro enterprise, now contributing over €1 billion annually to the national economy and directly supporting around 10,000 full-time jobs, according to Screen Ireland.
Veteran Irish director Dearbhla Walsh, who began her career in the 1980s when there were virtually no opportunities in the country, now exemplifies the transformative journey of Ireland’s creative sector and film industry. Walsh was the lead director on the acclaimed Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters, part of a growing list of international productions shot and set in Ireland. Her return to tell a distinctly Irish story reflects the broader shift: the country is no longer just a location for storytelling—it has become a powerful voice in global content creation. This year, Bad Sisters earned actress Sharon Horgan a second consecutive Emmy nomination, while previous Irish productions like Normal People and Bodkin have further cemented Ireland’s position in global entertainment.
The country’s creative resurgence extends to cinema as well. Films like The Banshees of Inisherin and The Quiet Girlreceived Academy Award nominations in 2023, and stars like Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal have emerged from this wave of Irish talent. Walsh believes the transformation stems from growing confidence among Irish creatives who can now tell authentic local stories with global appeal.
At the heart of this growth lies the Irish government’s competitive tax relief scheme. Currently, Ireland offers a 32% tax credit on film, television, and animation production expenses—higher than the 20% offered in California. For lower-budget Irish films, the credit jumps to 40%, a rate introduced in May 2025. These incentives have not only drawn major international projects but also nurtured local productions. Hollywood actor Rob Lowe recently noted that filming in Ireland is more economical than in Los Angeles, citing that his U.S. show The Floor is now recorded in Bray, just outside Dublin.
Screen Ireland’s 2025 budget was also increased by 3.3% to an all-time high of €40.85 million, reflecting the state’s commitment to making Ireland a leading European hub for screen storytelling. Screen Ireland CEO Désirée Finnegan emphasizes that the agency’s focus is not just on infrastructure and international projects, but on making Ireland a true home for filmmakers.
Irish producer Alan Moloney attributes the sector’s success to a dual strategy: nurturing domestic talent and attracting large-scale international productions. Netflix’s Wednesday recently became the biggest foreign show ever filmed in Ireland, and Moloney’s own production company, Big Things Films—co-founded with Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy—is behind several acclaimed Irish projects, including Small Things Like These and upcoming Netflix film Steve. Moloney is also involved in developing what is set to become Ireland’s largest film and television studio in Dublin, signaling long-term commitment to the industry’s future.
Despite external pressures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of a 100% import tariff on foreign films, Irish producers remain optimistic. Moloney is confident the industry can weather any such policy challenges, having already survived COVID-19 disruptions and last year’s Hollywood writers’ strike. Producer Ruth Treacy of Tailored Films agrees, calling for calm amid speculation. Her company is behind the upcoming thriller Bring Them Down, starring Barry Keoghan, and the Oscar-nominated biopic The Apprentice, which some have speculated may have politically provoked Trump’s tariff rhetoric.
Treacy also notes a shift in the kind of stories Ireland is now telling. The industry has moved beyond stereotypical rural dramas and is exploring broader, more ambitious narratives. This includes the rise of genres like horror, with Fréwaka—the first Irish-language horror film—set to release soon. The global success of The Quiet Girl, the first Irish-language film to earn an Oscar nomination, further highlights how the industry is embracing both linguistic heritage and modern storytelling.
As Ireland continues to grow into a powerhouse of global content production, its unique blend of talent, government backing, and cultural confidence suggests this golden era of Irish cinema and television is only just beginning.
