Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth of Ireland, Norma Foley TD, officially launches the 13th Animation Dingle Festival on Friday, March 21st, 2025 in the Dingle Skellig Hotel, Co. Kerry. 

I am truly honored to officially open Animation Dingle today, a festival in its 13th year, that continues to highlight the incredible creativity and talent within the animation industry. As Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, it is heartening to see the opportunities that this festival is providing for young people to learn from world experts in the animation industry. There is also a very strong focus on further broadening the role of women in animation. Dingle’s role as a hub for creativity is a wonderful example of how we can inspire and empower our youth to dream big and pursue their passions.

Norma Foley

The two-day event features a variety of activities, including screenings of animated films, workshops, and networking opportunities for students to meet professionals and enthusiasts alike. The festival aims to celebrate and promote the art of animation while providing a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work. 

Animation Dingle has always taken immense pride in Ireland’s rich animation landscape, and this year, the festival is bringing that tradition directly to young audiences. Presenting a free family screening of the highly anticipated animated feature Kensuke’s Kingdom on Saturday, March 22nd, at 15:30 in WAVE Dingle. This special screening is an unmissable opportunity for families to experience a breathtaking adventure brought to life by an all-star cast, including Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy. 

In collaboration with RTÉjr and Siamsa Tíre, the festival will host a special screening of Irish animated films, offering children a chance to experience some of the most creative and heart-warming works ever produced in the country. 

This carefully curated programme will showcase some of the funniest and most innovative works from Irish animation studios over the years. Included in the line up are Oscar-nominated gems like Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty. Alongside these renowned films, the screening will also include brand-new works never before seen, as well as pieces from both established Irish animators and emerging talents fresh out of Ireland’s top animation universities. This diverse programme will give children a taste of the incredible variety within Irish animation, from the playful and comedic to the thought-provoking and deeply moving. 

What makes this screening even more exciting is that it’s not just about watching animation, it’s about understanding it. With the incredible talent of Lena Byrne helping the kids to write their own animated stories. The festival wants young audiences to leave feeling inspired, knowing that they, too, can be part of this world. 

Animation Dingle runs from March 21st to 22nd, 2025.