The Minister for Industry and Commerce Seán Lemass opens Ardmore Studios in County Wicklow.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce Seán Lemass officially opens Ardmore Film Studios near Bray in County Wicklow. Ardmore Studios are co-founded by Louis Elliman and Emmet Dalton.
Louis Elliman welcomes Seán Lemass and guests to the opening ceremony. The Minister declares his lack of experience opening a film studio as the enterprise is the first of its kind in the country. He recognises the studio,
Is a fairly important development and that this occasion in which we are participating is one of national importance by any standard.
The Minister praises initiative and courage of the company behind Ardmore Studios and wishes them every success. He believes the enterprise is aimed at export markets. The company hope to produce in Ireland,
Films of all kinds, not merely the normal entertainment catered for by the cinemas, but also documentary and educational films as opportunity offers.
As Irish people have established a reputation in the world of the theatre it seems,
A logical development that that reputation should be utilised to support a film studio of this character.
The Minister has provided the founders of the enterprise with assistance from the Department of Industry and Commerce. He is confident this is only the beginning of what he believes will become a very large undertaking in time. He considers Ardmore Studios,
A credit to Ireland and a credit to them.
Louis Elliman thanks the Minister for his kind words of encouragement.
The Minister visits the filming of the final indoor scenes for Walter Macken's stage play 'Home Is The Hero’ with the author and Abbey actor Harry Brogan taking part. Directed by Fielder Cook the film is the first that may be termed a full Irish production at the Ardmore Studios.
This recording was made on 12 May 1958.
From the RTÉ Archives Acetate Disc Collection which has been digitised with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) Archiving Scheme.
