Number of movies shot in Ireland trebles

Ireland is fast becoming a mini-Hollywood with the number of movies shot here almost trebling in the last five years.

Almost €160m was poured into films made here in 2011, which was an average of just over €5m on each production.

Figures from the cinema analysts, IHS Screen Digest, reveal Ireland has seen film production shoot up from 12 films produced in Ireland in 2006 to 31 films in 2011.