Animation in Ireland

​​​Irish animation is currently experiencing a renaissance, evidenced by a series of Oscar-nominated and winning films from Cartoon Saloon, such as The Secret of Kells (2009), Song of the Sea (2014), The Breadwinner (2017), and Wolfwalkers (2021)—as well as acclaimed animated shorts like Quest (1996) and Late Afternoon (2018). Despite this, academic research on Irish animation remains sparse. 

​ 

​Tracing its roots back to 1910 with pioneering works like James Horgan’s Clock Tower, Irish animation has evolved significantly. The period between the 1950s and 1980s saw a surge in advertising and educational animation, which was further revolutionized in the 1980s and 1990s by Bluth Studio’s introduction of advanced technology and a commercial industry model. Since 2000, Irish animation has struck a balance between artistic expression and commercial success. It is rooted in Irish literature and heritage, serving as a medium for expressing national identity and collective memory, and has emerged as a vital form of national cinema. The industry’s expansion is supported by a host of studios across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, contributing to the distinctive characteristics and aesthetics that define Irish animation. 

​ 

​This PhD project seeks to address the scholarly gap in the history and theory of Irish cinema with a focus on animation. We invite candidates to apply diverse approaches—cinematic, historical, cultural, contextual, industrial, or multidisciplinary—to develop a robust theoretical framework that will enrich the field.