‘Dog Ears’ and ‘Cartoon Saloon’ Animator visits Coolmine

John Peavoy, a professional animator with ‘Cartoon Saloon’ and ‘DogEars’ visited a number of Irish classes today. John has just completed work on the cartoon ‘Puffin Rock’ which is narrated by Chris O’Dowd and can be seen on Netflix and RTE.

Many of the students have watched the Oscar nominated film ‘Song of the Sea’  (Amhrán na Mara). The Irish in this film is beautiful and easily understood by students at all levels of Gaeilge.

John explained the legends and the folklore behind ‘Song of the Sea’ and ‘The Secret of Kells’ (another Academy nominated movie made by Cartoon Saloon). The art work and design, and also the different areas of animation were spoken about.  He spoke to students on a one-to-one basis and looked at some of their own animation/art work.

The students were given advice on different animation software to use, and some of them are now in the process of making their own animations based on their Irish Oral Sraith Pictiúr.

The talk enlightened students to the fact that the Irish language and our culture can provide career opportunities not previously considered.