“There are ideas sitting in sheds and notebooks all over the West of Ireland,” says Kathryn Reynolds of Ardán. “We exist to make sure those stories find their way to the screen.”
In the hub of Galway’s creative quarter, within the CREW Enterprise and Innovation Hub, Ardán is quietly transforming the landscape of the Irish audio-visual industry. Its name — the Irish for stage or platform — perfectly captures its purpose: to lift up creative voices and give them a place to be heard.
As a non-profit, independent organisation, Ardán operates across the West of Ireland and beyond, supporting creatives in filmmaking, television, animation, and games. Its mission is simple yet profound — to enable access, provide opportunities, and ensure that geography is no longer a barrier to creativity.
This year, Ardán will bring that mission to life at the Pathways Conference, where its team will meet face-to-face with the next generation of writers, filmmakers, animators, composers and game developers — young people brimming with ideas and looking for a way to bring them to life.
So what has this to do with young minds? From this autumn in selected schools, Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies has been a new subject that combines theoretical and practical learning to develop creative and critical thinking.
Students can expect to engage in collaborative projects, explore performance forms from classical to contemporary, and learn skills in areas like acting, directing, and playwriting. The subject aims to be student-centred and practical, with a focus on hands-on experience through activities such as improvisation, performance, and live theatre production.
When this is rolled out to all schools, it will open the floodgates on a river of talentted writers, actors, playwrights, screen writers, directors, animators and games designers. And here in this region is Ardán — just ready to facilitate all those possibilities.
A platform for creative talent
Ardán’s work rests on a deep belief in the creative potential of the West. “There’s an incredible depth of talent here,” says Kathryn Reynolds, Ardán’s Marketing and Communications Manager. “Our job is to provide the opportunities that allow that talent to flourish — to help people with ideas convert them into films, games, animations or TV projects that might otherwise never see the light of day.”
The organisation’s roots stretch back to 1989, when it was known as the Galway Film Centre — a hub for filmmakers in the region that provided access to training, equipment, and networking. Over three decades, the Galway Film Centre became a cornerstone of Ireland’s screen industry, but as technology and storytelling evolved, so too did the organisation’s vision.
In 2022, it rebranded as Ardán — a new identity to reflect a broader focus that now includes gaming, animation, and cross-media storytelling.
“The rebrand was about evolution,” says Eoin Butler Thornton, Ardán’s Games Coordinator. “We wanted to capture what was already happening on the ground — the growing overlap between film, games, and animation. The idea of a ‘platform’ felt right, because Ardán isn’t just a funder or a trainer; it’s a launchpad.”
Recent games that have been developed completely or partially in Galway include Enigma Studio's Echostasis, which presents a world where our reality is not only curated by algorithms, but created by them, Psychic Software's The Necromancer's Tale, a story of dark knowledge, revenge and evil magic in the 18th century, and Spooky Doorway's upcoming The Séance of Blake Manor, a supernatural detective mystery set in Connemara in 1897.
Enabling access, providing opportunities
At its core, Ardán exists to help creatives gain access — to funding, mentoring, workshops, and events that can turn ambition into achievement. The organisation manages several key initiatives that span every stage of a creative career.
Among them are Galway City of Film, a UNESCO designation managed by Ardán on behalf of Galway City and County Council, which supports short documentary schemes, mentorships, and Irish-language film projects; the WRAP Fund, which provides strategic investment to screen productions across the Western Region; and the National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama, a Screen Ireland initiative delivered by Ardán to train emerging writers, directors and producers.
Ardán also hosts the FÍS Summits — annual gatherings for the TV and Games industries that bring creatives together to learn, collaborate, and build networks.
“We’re the connective tissue of the creative ecosystem,” says Ms Reynolds. “We bring people together, create opportunities, and then watch what happens when that talent meets support.”
From film to games: expanding the stage
One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been Ardán’s growing work in the gaming sector. Through initiatives such as the Wild Galway Games Incubator, the organisation has become a key player in nurturing the West’s emerging games community.
“When I first came into the role, the local games scene was small but full of passion,” said Mr Butler Thornton. “Now we’re seeing people who came through our programmes setting up their own studios, applying for national prototype funding, and collaborating across disciplines. It’s incredible to witness.”
The incubator provides mentorship, technical support, and networking for independent developers. It also brings artists, writers and composers into the fold — recognising that game design, like filmmaking, is ultimately about storytelling.
“The creative energy here is special,” Mr Butler Thornton continues. “You can feel the sense of community. People are building things together, sharing skills, and pushing each other forward.”
Supporting filmmakers from concept to screen
For Kenny Gaughan, filmmaker and coordinator of the Little Cinema Galway and Ardán’s long-running 48 Hour Challenge, the work has a more tangible side — getting films made, fast.
“The 48 Hour Challenge is about collaboration and creativity under pressure,” he explains. “Teams have just two days to write, shoot and edit a short film. Every year, the standard gets higher, and the energy in the room is electric.”
Winning films have gone on to screen at the Galway Film Fleadh, with some creators later developing feature projects or working in professional productions.
“It’s a reminder of what happens when people are given a chance,” Mr Gaughan says. “You can see the ripple effect — one opportunity leads to another. Someone makes a short here in Galway, and a few years later, they’re writing for a series like Kin or Gangs of London. That’s success.”
A new creative geography
For too long, being a filmmaker, animator or game developer in the West was seen as a disadvantage — far from Dublin’s studios and decision-makers. Ardán is determined to change that.
“Success for us,” says Ms Reynolds, “is that in a few short years, location won’t matter anymore. We want a future where living in Galway, Mayo or Donegal isn’t a creative compromise — it’s an advantage.”
The organisation’s work with partners such as the Western Development Commission, Creative Ireland, and Údarás na Gaeltachta is part of that vision — ensuring that the creative industries can thrive outside traditional urban centres.
"As a non-profit organisation, everything we do is budget and funding dependent, but the focus on as much as we can is on what screen creatives need support wise, particularly from a regional point of view - as there is plenty of talent in Ireland beyond the Pale."
Hybrid working has also transformed the picture. “COVID showed that collaboration doesn’t need to be tied to geography,” said Mr Butler Thornton. “You can have a studio in Galway and work with people all over the world.”
Innovation with integrity
Ardán’s forward-looking ethos also includes a careful approach to emerging technologies. Virtual production — which blends filmmaking with real-time game engine technology — is one area where the organisation has led workshops and labs in collaboration with Galway City of Film.
Artificial intelligence is another frontier.
“AI brings opportunities but also responsibilities,” Ms Reynolds notes. “As a charity, we have to ensure new tools are used ethically, in ways that enhance creativity rather than replace it. We’re developing a clear AI policy for that reason.”
Through international exchanges with creative hubs in New Zealand, Germany, and the US, Ardán is also positioning Galway as a global player in the creative industries — a place where talent from the West can connect with the world.
The power of community
While the technology and mediums may change, one theme runs through every conversation with Ardán’s team: community.
“People sometimes think of filmmaking or game design as solitary work,” said Mr Gaughan. “But really, it’s about collaboration — finding your tribe.”
Events like Culture Night, the FÍS Summits, and Ardán’s many bursaries and mentorships all build that sense of shared purpose. The result is a vibrant creative ecosystem where ideas, skills and friendships cross-pollinate.
Ms Reynolds agrees. “When people meet, talk, and share their work, new stories are born. Ardán’s role is to create those spaces — to make sure every voice has a chance to be heard.”
Looking ahead
As Ardán prepares for the Pathways Conference, the excitement is palpable. For the team, it’s not just about promoting what they do, but about meeting the next wave of creative thinkers — those who will shape the future of Ireland’s cultural landscape.
“Pathways is where we meet the storytellers of the next generation,” said Ms Reynolds. “We want them to know there’s a place for them here — that their ideas can become real.”
And that, ultimately, is what Ardán stands for. A platform. A stage. A promise that creativity, no matter where it begins, deserves to be seen.
“We’re building an ecosystem where ideas can grow,” Mr Butler Thornton says. “From someone’s notebook or game concept, to a finished piece of work that can reach an audience. That’s the journey Ardán is here to support.”
In the quiet confidence of Galway’s creative community, a revolution is underway — one that believes stories can come from anywhere, and that the West of Ireland can be a powerhouse of imagination.
Because in the end, as Reynolds puts it, “creativity deserves a stage. And that’s exactly what Ardán is.”
