Editorial: Stellar animation reputation is drawing more eyes to Kilkenny City

Kilkenny has long had a reputation as a centre of creativity, craft and culture—but in recent years, it has also become something else: the beating heart of Ireland’s renowned animation industry.

Nominations for the 2025 Irish Animation Awards were released this week, and the presence of local studios looms large, driving home that fact. Homegrown studios Cartoon Saloon and Lighthouse Studios are once again flying the black and amber flag high, getting a jury nod in more than a dozen areas.

For years, we have celebrated our well-earned reputation as a festival capital, a tourism hub, for craft excellence — and of course — some of the mightiest hurlers ever to grace a pitch. These are what people think of when they think of Kilkenny.

We can now add to that in saying that Kilkenny has become a leading light in animation. The city attracts international collaborations, tourism tied to animation, and young creatives looking to build careers.

We salute Cartoon Saloon and Lighthouse Studios for their achievements, and for the pride they help bring to Kilkenny. As the awards approach at the end of May, we wish them every success.

IPAS CENTRES
The ongoing debate over suitable accommodation for International Protection applicants has been causing a stir again this week, with rumours rife of plans to convert a variety of different disused buildings to that purpose.

On Monday, three local sites mooted as such were ruled out. It has left some local people feeling anxious and confused as they — and even Kilkenny County Council— are left in the dark.

The Department of Integration needs to provide more transparency and engage with local communities and council.
Some of these locations already suffer from lack of infrastructure and investment. We should also heed Cllr Sean Ó hArgain’s warning that some of the debate is being hijacked by bad faith actors who are trying to stir things up.
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