Brendan Gleeson message to help launch FilmOffaly vendor card
There’s a lot of love between Offaly and Brendan Gleeson these days.
Just last month he performed as part of a quartet of musicians to mark the 125th anniversary of the official opening of Oxmantown Hall in Birr. This month a special video message from him will be shown on February 17, when FilmOffaly launches its vendor card initiative in Aras an Chontae at 5.30pm.
The idea behind the FilmOffaly vendor card is to attract more film production companies into Offaly and thereby give local businesses a chance to share in the lucrative film market. Over 30 businesses in the county have already signed up to the scheme, which offers productions up to 25 per cent off services including accommodation, restaurants, catering, tool hire, taxis and more.
The scheme is the first of its kind in Ireland, and Naoise Barry of the Irish Film board has remarked that Offaly is now “well tooled up to attract big productions”. “This proactive scheme no doubt will be emulated, which makes my job, pitching Ireland as a location, much easier,” he added.
Chairperson of FilmOffaly Nichola Hogan is also a big fan. She described the new vendor card as a unique project and said it highlights a compelling case for the innovative way the arts can bring economic development to a county.
A recent television pilot for “Reign” in CharlevileCastle saw some 130 cast and crew come to Tullamore for six days and use a wide range of services from local filling station to hotels. A feature Irish film is also set to go on location over February and March in various locations around the county.
Businesses participating in the scheme will be advertised on www.filmoffaly.ie and will recognise those who can avail of their discounts thanks to a special card issued by FilmOffaly with the name of the production and an expiry date.
Any business interested in finding out more can contact FilmOffaly at filmoffaly@offalycoco.ie or by calling 057 9357400.