Oscars, Strikes and Friends we lost - that was 2023.

Overall, a positive year for the screen industries in Ireland. In early spring it became clear that there would be an actors and writers strike in the US. It turned out to be the longest-running strike in 40 years which halted all high-end productions coming to Ireland by June. Both the writer's and the actor's strikes were fuelled by the unknown threat of A.I. The growth of streaming services distorted residual payments performers receive for repeat showings of films or TV shows, no longer reflecting the traditional film model of the past. Thankfully both strikes were resolved and hopefully, the sector can expect a bumper year in 2024.

An incredible year for recognition of Irish talent and technical roles. A total of fourteen nominations at the 2023 Oscars was the best year ever. An Cailín Ciúin became the first Irish language film nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature. On the night Richard Baneham won for Best Achievement in Visual Effects and An Irish Goodbye supported by Northern Ireland Screen won for best live action short film. For an island of fewer than 6.5 million people, it continues to punch well above its weight in terms of our screen industries.

There were some notable friends and colleagues we lost during the year. In early January, a young and talented Art Director Tim Devine died following a tragic accident in London. In the lead-up to the Oscars, the sector was rocked by the death of James Flynn. He began his career with John Boorman’s Merlin Films as Head of Development. In the re-established Film board, he served as Business Manager and subsequently Deputy CEO between 1993 to 1997. Establishing Metropolitan Films in 1997 it has grown into one of the leading production companies in the country producing some of the best Irish TV dramas including Love Hate and Kin, internationally successful TV series such as The Tudors, Vikings, and Penny Dreadful.

Very recently Brian Thompson passed away following an illness. I first met Brain in 1994, when he worked as a construction buyer and of late in the props department. Like his father Johnny he was a very popular person on any film set, Brian was the definition of a people person. He had a big simile and if you ever needed to know what new film productions were brewing Brian would probably have the intel on it. His funeral was one of the largest attendances of the film community I have seen in a long time and a testament to how Brian was loved by all.

A new start-up company which I played a leading role for two years faltered in July of this year. As a team, we gave it our best shot however market risks over the past 12 months were magnified due to inflation, interest rates rising building costs – making speculative development, challenging. It is never easy when a project you have been so personally invested in fails but there were many positive learnings from it and friendships made along the way. Thomas Edison once said I have not failed but I've found 10,000 ways that won't work. I have picked up the pieces and moved on and in fact, the second half of the year brought new opportunities and new optimism that I carry with me into 2024.

In the October budget, the section 481 cap was increased from €70 million to €125 million a ringing endorsement of the significant role the audiovisual sector plays in the Irish economy. Quickly followed by the announcement that the second season of Netflix's highest audience show - Wednesday was moving to Ireland to produce Season Two. Based at Ashford it will replace ten seasons of the successful series of Vikings and Valhalla.

In the music industry, Ireland lost three legends, Christy Dignam, Sinead O’Connor and Shane McGowan.

On a personal note two members of the extended Dowling left us both in mid-life, and a friend Mark we made since moving to Limerick, brought joy to our lives every day we met. I began to research the Dowling family tree at the start of the year, my dad had left lots of notes in the house that formed a rough outline. Followed by a serious search of records from the National Library, hundreds of hours later and many false trails, I eventually traced our family name seven generations back to 1734.

The highlight of my year came in late September, was a spontaneous moment that can be chalked up to global warming. The weather forecasters said temperatures would hit 27c. We cancelled everything and my wife and I packed the car and early morning headed for one of our favourite parts of the country – Connemara. By the time we reached Clifden, the temperature had hit 28c - in Connemara which was surreal. A short drive out to Bunowen Bay with its white sands which we shared the rest of the day with less than 20 other people. We had a lovely picnic, a dip in the sea, and some reading with the only sound being the lapping of the water on the shore. Looking across the bay the view of the twelve bens with a clear blue sky, was like a Paul Henry painting. Later that evening we made a short journey to Ballynahinch Castle with a lovely walk along the river followed by dinner in the Castle. That was our perfect day.

A sincere thank you to the variety of organisations and individuals across the entire island with whom I had the pleasure of engaging in 2023. If half of what we planned gets off the ground, it will be an amazing year. ?

I wish you all a happy Christmas, make time for friends and family, good health, love, and a prosperous 2024 to one and all. ?