The Irish Times || Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 || Peter Hamilton

Troy Studios in Limerick has completed its fourth sound stage, making it the largest production studio facility in Ireland.

The latest expansion adding the studio’s fourth sound stage, known as “D stage”, adds 3,065 sq. m (33,000 sq. ft. ) of space to bring the total studio space to more than 9,570 sq. m. (103,000 sq. ft.)

Troy said in a statement that it now has 32,516 sq. m. (350,000 sq. ft.) of space including stages and support infrastructure following a private investment of €13 million. It will also soon complete a specialist stage to cater for green screen and blue screen work measuring 427 sq.m. (4,600 sq.ft.)

Chief executive Siún Ní Raghallaigh said the company’s facilities are now “on a par with any in the world and will help attract new major film and TV projects to consider Ireland as a location now and into the future”.

Troy Studios is privately held and is backed by a number of investors including financier Joe Devine, whose Olcott Entertainment group acquired Ardmore Studios last year. Ms Ní Raghallaigh is also a shareholder of Troy, as is music industry veteran Osmond Kilkenny.

Filming for Apple

The Co Limerick facility is currently operating to capacity, with more than 500 staff employed there on a “major international production”. A drama series based on a sci-fi novel trilogy by Isaac Asimov, Foundation, is being filmed in Troy for tech giant Apple’s new streaming service, according to online film database IMDB.

English director Rupert Sanders, known for directing Snow White and the Huntsman, is directing the production being led by Skydance Television. Skydance previously produced Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, which aired on Amazon Prime, and Altered Carbon, which aired on Netflix.

Troy has previously facilitated production of US Syfy television series Nightflyers, produced by NBC Universal, and aired on Netflix, which was recently cancelled.

Aside from its sound stages, Troy has support buildings including workshops, props storage, costume, dressing rooms, production offices and hair and make-up rooms. There’s also a back lot of five acres available for exterior set construction.

This latest expansion, Ms Ní Raghallaigh said, will allow “up to twice as many employees work at Troy at any one time”.

“At a time when the global audiovisual industry is buoyant, this expanded facility places Ireland firmly on the global film and television map, increasing our potential to drive further sustainable economic benefits locally.”