Image from The Secret of Kells courtesy of Cartoon Saloon.
Image from The Secret of Kells courtesy of Cartoon Saloon.
Ireland’s emergence as a premier animation and VFX post-production destination represents one of the most remarkable cultural and economic transformations in the country’s recent history. What began as a small, artisanal animation scene has blossomed into a world-class industry that now attracts some of Hollywood’s biggest productions. The foundation was laid by visionary companies like Cartoon Saloon, whose groundbreaking work on films like The Secret of Kells demonstrated that Ireland could produce animation of extraordinary artistic merit and international appeal. These early pioneers didn’t just create beautiful films, they established Ireland’s reputation as a place where creativity, craftsmanship and storytelling excellence converge.
The industry’s evolution accelerated dramatically with strategic government support, particularly through the enhancement of Section 481 tax incentives that made Ireland increasingly attractive to international productions. This financial framework, combined with Ireland’s natural advantages – English-speaking talent, proximity to major markets, and competitive costs – created a perfect opportunity for growth. The development of world-class studio infrastructure and robust VFX pipelines has allowed Irish companies to scale rapidly and take on increasingly ambitious projects. Today, established firms like EGG VFX, Outer Limits, Element VFX and Piranha Bar regularly contribute to high-profile productions including The Woman King, The Apprentice and others, while newer players like SSVFX have made their mark on prestige television, contributing visual effects to the massively successful series Shōgun as well as The Penguin, 3 Body Problem, Gladiator II and Ahsoka. (See article page 50)
