Welcome to Our First Ever Blog - A Look Back at Animation Dingle's Journey
Whether you’re a past guest, a curious visitor, or simply an animation enthusiast who’s stumbled upon us (don’t worry, we’re just as obsessed), you’ve landed on our very first blog post—how exciting! To kick things off, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore who we are, what we do, and how Animation Dingle came to be.
The Heart of Irish Animation
Animation Dingle is where the animation world meets, mingles, and makes magic happen. Every March, we take over the stunning town of Dingle for two days of screenings, workshops, talks, and awards—bringing together top industry pros, leading studios, broadcasters, and the next generation of animation talent. It’s intimate, electric, and a little bit legendary.
But the real question is… how did we get here?
A Happy Accident
Like all the best stories, ours began with an unexpected twist. Back in the day, Maurice Galway was running a film festival in Dingle, and John Rice, along with Alan and Mark from JAM Media, came down to give a talk. However, as fate (and possibly a lack of signage) would have it, nobody showed up for their presentation. Oops!
But when you put four creative minds in a room, magic happens. The following year, a one-day animation event was held in St. James’ Church to celebrate Ireland’s growing animation scene. And this time people came. The next year, even more. And before we knew it, Animation Dingle had a life of its own.
13 Years Later…
Now, here we are—13 years later—bigger, bolder, and buzzing with energy. Animation Dingle has become a melting pot of ideas, inspiration, and opportunity. It’s a place where industry giants take time for the next generation, where collaborations spark over coffee (or pints), and where you might just find yourself deep in conversation with an animation legend at the Studio Fair.
It’s wild to think that this festival didn’t exist 13 years ago. But from day one, Animation Dingle has been a home for creatives, a celebration of storytelling, and a gathering place for those who live and breathe animation.
So, if you’re looking for an unforgettable escape into the world of animation, check out this year’s programme. We promise—you won’t want to miss it.
