Movie office mooted for Mayo

mayo | arts and media | press release Sunday August 14, 2005 22:52 by Cllr Keith Martin - Independent

Cllr calls for establishment of a Film Board for Mayo

Councillor Keith Martin welcomed yet another filming programe to Mayo

Councillor Keith Martin welcomed yet another filming programe to Mayo as Saturday July 17 saw Calvin Klein filming their latest advertisment on Silver Strand beach near Louisburgh. Cllr Keith Martin is the liaison between the Irish Film Board and Mayo and has been working towards the establishment of a Film Office for Mayo to promote Mayo as a venue for Film-making.
Keith Martin says he welcomes the filming of this advertisement in Louisburgh "as it is further confirmation of Mayo's viability as a location for filming be it a motion picture, a television documentary or drama or an advert."
Filming on the motion picture "Secret of the Cave" has just finished on Achill Island after 5 weeks of filming and that is testament to the suitability of Mayo as a venue for film-making.
Hollywood actor Patrick Bergin who starred in "Secret of the Cave" also recently backed a Film Office for Mayo. Bergin felt that not only was Mayo an ideal location for shooting it had so many stories to tell that could be made into films.
Keith Martin says that the benefits from filming are firstly direct local investment and secondly a spin off from tourism. The Guinness Ad which was shot in Westport was a great boost to the town and people still come to Westport based on that advert, it even made one or two locals well known faces on the television! Hopefully "Secret of the Cave" will do the same for Achill. Louisburgh will also benefit from accommodation, food and entertainment for the crew, the hiring of local tradesmen, purchase of props locally and of recruiting extras. It all adds up and it all highlights the need for a Film Office for Mayo.