Creative Industries Ireland: A Thriving Hub of Culture and Innovation

Global Development Ireland at Red Yellow Blue (RYB)

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Economic Contribution

The creative industries in Ireland contribute significantly to the national economy, accounting for over €5 billion annually and employing more than 80,000 people. These industries span a wide range of sectors, including film, television, animation, gaming, design, and the performing arts.

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Key Sectors

• Film and Television
  Ireland’s film and television industry is flourishing, supported by initiatives like the Section 481 tax credit and the Irish Film Board (Screen Ireland). Productions such as Game of Thrones, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Normal People have showcased Ireland’s scenic landscapes and talented crews. The Galway Film Fleadh and Dublin International Film Festival highlight Ireland’s role as a global film hub.
• Literature and Publishing
  As the land of literary giants like James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, and Seamus Heaney, Ireland remains a powerhouse in literature. Contemporary authors such as Sally Rooney and Anne Enright continue to make waves internationally. Dublin’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature underscores its status as a literary capital.
• Music and Performing Arts
  Ireland’s music scene is world-renowned, from traditional Irish folk to global icons like U2, Hozier, and The Cranberries. The Irish Traditional Music Archive preserves the country’s rich musical heritage, while events like Electric Picnic and Cork Jazz Festival celebrate diverse genres. The performing arts are equally vibrant, with institutions like the Abbey Theatre and the Gate Theatre leading the way.
• Design and Craft
  Ireland’s design sector is marked by innovation and quality, with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) playing a pivotal role. Irish designers excel in fashion, jewelry, and home goods, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The Year of Irish Design initiative has further elevated Ireland’s global reputation in this field.
• Gaming and Digital Media
  The gaming and digital media industries in Ireland are rapidly growing, driven by a tech-savvy workforce and strong government support. Companies like Keywords Studios and Havok have put Ireland on the map as a hub for game development and digital innovation.
• Cultural Tourism
  Cultural tourism is deeply intertwined with Ireland’s creative industries. Attractions like the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, and literary walking tours in Dublin draw millions of visitors annually. The integration of creative storytelling into tourism enhances the visitor experience while promoting Irish culture.

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Government Support and Initiatives

The Irish government actively supports creative industries through organizations like Culture Ireland, which promotes Irish arts globally, and Enterprise Ireland, which funds creative startups. Programs such as the Creative Ireland Programme aim to foster creativity at all levels of society, from education to community projects.

Trends and Innovations

Ireland’s creative industries are embracing sustainability, digital transformation, and inclusivity. Initiatives like Green Film Making and Sustainable Fashion Dublin reflect a growing focus on environmental responsibility. The integration of AI and virtual reality into creative processes is also driving innovation.

Challenges and Opportunities

While Ireland’s creative industries are thriving, challenges such as Brexit, funding limitations, and global competition remain. However, the country’s strong cultural foundation, skilled workforce, and international reputation present significant opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Ireland’s creative industries are a testament to the nation’s rich cultural heritage and forward-thinking innovation. As these industries continue to evolve, they play a vital role in shaping Ireland’s identity on the global stage, fostering economic growth, and enriching the cultural fabric of the country.

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Creative Ireland

The wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland is the most valuable asset that we possess as a nation. The Creative Ireland Programme connects people, creativity and wellbeing.

Under Future Jobs Ireland, the development of a Roadmap for the Creative Industries was identified as a key deliverable to diversify our enterprise base ensuring the Irish economy is more resilient and adaptable. The Roadmap will define the creative industries in Ireland as Industries and occupations which utilise creativity as a means to deliver commercial success and employment.
> creativeireland.gov.ie/creative-industries-roadmap/

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Economy

strong, export-based EU economy; multinational-business-friendly environment known for resilience, even amid COVID-19 disruptions; real wage growth beyond other OECD members; high livings standards; strong social equity and cohesion; aging labor force

Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP – the world’s largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland’s EU-IMF bailout program.

In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%. The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP.

In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland’s economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union (“Brexit”) in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures.