West Cork Film Studios: New Hollywood Hub in Ireland

A former furniture warehouse in Skibbereen, County Cork, has quietly transformed into one of Ireland’s newest film production hubs—and Hollywood has taken notice. West Cork Film Studios, barely two years old, is already at the centre of an industry buzz that has drawn Brad Pitt and a major production to Ireland’s southwest coast. The story behind this family’s unlikely bet on cinema tells us something about how regional film infrastructure is reshaping the industry’s geography.

Founded: 24 April 2023 · Location: Baltimore Rd, Skibbereen, Cork · Company Status: Normal · Major Production: Hollywood film scheduled 2025 · Owners: O’Donnell family

The key facts about West Cork Film Studios reflect both its corporate registration details and its growing role in Ireland’s film industry.

Who owns West Cork Film Studios?

West Cork Film Studios Limited was incorporated on 24 April 2023 under company number 739237, with its registered address at Baltimore Rd, Skibbereen, County Cork, according to official records from Vision-Net. The company maintains a “Normal” status and lists six shareholders on its registry filings.

The founders are the O’Donnell family—Jim, his son Aodh, and daughter Édain—who repurposed their existing family furniture warehouse into a film production facility. Édaín O’Donnell, one of the co-founders alongside Steve Park, explained the origin of the idea: “So, at the end of Holding, we had the idea of adapting part of my family’s furniture warehouse into a film studio.” The studio officially opened in 2023, with film industry veterans David Puttnam and Jeremy Irons present at the ceremony.

“I think people thought we were daft,” said Édaín O’Donnell, co-founder of West Cork Film Studios, reflecting on the family’s unconventional venture into film production.

O’Donnell family involvement

The O’Donnells have guided tours of their new departments, showcasing a 20,000 square foot facility built from their former furniture warehouse. Mr O’Donnell has served as director since 2023, according to company records, and the family collectively directs seven other Irish companies alongside this venture.

The implication for regional development is that the O’Donnells’ model—converting existing industrial space rather than building from scratch—could be replicated across other rural Irish towns seeking film industry investment.

What movie is being filmed in West Cork?

West Cork Film Studios reportedly secured a major Hollywood production backed by Andre Caraco and other investors, according to the Irish Film Television Network. The studios have attracted productions due to their diverse West Cork locations, which include Skibbereen and Baltimore.

A recent production—the Damian McCarthy supernatural thriller starring Adam Scott—wrapped at the studios just weeks before recent reports, marking one of the facility’s most high-profile credits to date. Two productions were reportedly filming in Skibbereen through summer 2026, and the studios are reportedly close to securing a former plastics factory from IDA Ireland as a back lot expansion.

Hollywood production details

The largest film production ever in the region is scheduled for 2025, with major Hollywood interest continuing to grow around West Cork Film Studios. The facility has built a reputation attracting producers seeking varied Irish locations beyond the more conventional Dublin and Wicklow settings.

The pattern emerging from these productions suggests West Cork’s appeal lies in its visual diversity—coastal, rural, and small-town settings that differ from Ireland’s more-filmed eastern regions.

Where is Brad Pitt filming in Cork?

Brad Pitt arrived in Ireland in late January 2026, according to RTE, ahead of reports that his new film would include Cork among its shooting locations. Filming has been confirmed at Bullock Harbour in Dalkey, County Dublin, while additional locations across Wicklow, Kerry, and Cork have been discussed for the production.

However, there is no direct confirmation that Pitt’s production is using West Cork Film Studios specifically, the Irish Examiner reported. The studios’ location in Skibbereen could serve as a Cork-based filming option if the production expands its regional footprint.

Connection to West Cork studios

While ‘The Riders’ is expected to film across multiple Irish locations including Cork, the precise connection between Brad Pitt’s activities and West Cork Film Studios remains unconfirmed. Industry observers note the studios are well-positioned to accommodate major productions seeking regional filming options.

The catch is that proximity to a Hollywood production does not guarantee work at the studios unless production managers specifically choose West Cork as a filming location.

Where does Paul Mescal live in West Cork?

Paul Mescal has reportedly acquired property in West Cork, joining other actors who’ve discovered the region’s appeal. The Oscar-nominated Normal People star joins Robert Sheehan—who has been spotted in the area as part of the so-called “Craic Pack”—in establishing roots in this corner of Ireland.

Robert Sheehan, originally from Portlaoise but increasingly associated with West Cork, has been photographed around Skibbereen as part of a group that includes Mescal, according to social media posts and local reports. The presence of established actors like Sheehan and Mescal suggests the region is developing a reputation beyond its scenic landscapes.

Celebrity ties to region

West Cork has attracted a disproportionate share of Irish acting talent, drawing names who have found the region’s relative privacy and coastal character appealing. Actors like Mescal and Sheehan joining the O’Donnell family’s venture creates an informal network that could prove valuable for future productions.

What this means for West Cork Film Studios is that celebrity endorsements—even informal ones—can influence where producers consider filming, given actors’ preferences for working near their homes.

Is Brad Pitt filming in Ireland?

Yes, Brad Pitt is filming in Ireland. According to RTE, Pitt is starring in ‘The Riders,’ directed by Edward Berger, an adaptation of Tim Winton’s 1994 novel. Filming began in early February 2026, with locations spanning Dublin suburbs, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, and Hydra in Europe.

The production brings together significant industry partners: Plan B Entertainment (Pitt’s company), Scott Free (Ridley Scott’s company), Nine Hours (Berger), and A24 handling financing and distribution. The cast includes Brad Pitt, Julianne Nicholson, Camille Cottin, Coco Greenstone, Michael Smiley, Danny Huston, and Ulrich Thomsen.

Production updates

Pitt reportedly arrived in Ireland last week before the February 2026 reports, with filming confirmed at Bullock Harbour, Dalkey. While Cork locations have been mentioned, the extent of West Cork Film Studios’ involvement with ‘The Riders’ remains unclear. The production represents one of the most significant Hollywood projects to shoot in Ireland in recent years.

The implication is that A24’s involvement signals international confidence in Ireland as a filming destination, potentially opening doors for facilities like West Cork to attract similar high-budget productions in the future.