Tomm Moore
Partner & Creative Director – Cartoon Saloon
Academy Award® Nominated Director
How have you come to live in Ireland South East?
My parents moved here from Northern Ireland in the early 1980s.
What do you like best about Ireland South East?
The weather, the people, the history and the culture.
“It’s a very friendly and artistic area, with beautiful scenery, historic buildings and a cosy intimate community.”
Tell us about your career?
I started in Young Irish Filmakers in Kilkenny when I was still in St. Kierans secondary school. After I attended Ballyfermot college in Dublin to study classical animation, a group of friends from the course joined us in YIFM where we began working on our first feature and founded Cartoon Saloon. That was 20 years ago and now we have two studios – Cartoon Saloon and our joint venture with Mercury Filmworks of Canada, Light House studios. Between both studios we have almost 300 employees and the animation community has blossomed in Kilkenny. I am currently co-directing my third animated feature Wolf Walkers which is set in Kilkenny and inspired by local history and legends. It will be distributed worldwide by Apple.
What are the benefits of living in Ireland South East?
It’s a very friendly and artistic area, with beautiful scenery, historic buildings and a cosy intimate community.
Can you tell us a secret about ISE or a favourite place that people might not know?
The Kilfane Gardens are a hidden treasure which inspired locations in Wolfwalkers.
What is your advice to young animators looking to establish a career?
Draw a lot, practise a lot, have fun, be cheeky and push your work out there, never be afraid to get constructive criticism!
Our People
“If I could sum up the South East in one word, ‘opportunities’ is the most ideal.”
Daniel Martins
“The South East is a great place to build a business from.”
Jim Hughes, Innovate
“A taste of city life with the benefits of rural living.”
Joy Redmond, Sonru