Carlingford Lough to play starring role in new animation series

And the creator of the multi-billion-dollar pre-school media juggernaut, PAW Patrol has come onboard as Executive Producer of the new brand!

Keith Chapman, who also created the hugely successful kids’ TV programme, Bob the Builder, is seeking to make it a hat-trick of smash hit successes after joining the team at Carlichauns Entertainment ahead of the launch of a CG animated children’s series.

Momentum is gathering for the Irish entertainment brand which has just closed a highly successful seed funding round having also secured match funding from Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-up Programme.

The funding secured to date is being directed to support the growth of the company, with further discussions with a number of investors about backing the production.

Carlichauns Entertainment CEO, Niall Watters said: “We are also having encouraging conversations with some ‘big players’ in the US who really see the potential of the project.

“St Patrick's Day is a colossal celebration in America and now through the Carlichauns we have a vehicle that makes the event even more kids and family inclusive, which in turn provides a new and special connection for the younger generation

“Keith is onboard as Executive Producer and Brand Ambassador which is a great boost. He is excited about what we are trying to achieve, and we are thrilled to be working alongside someone of his calibre.”

The PAW Patrol creator said he was immediately drawn to the Carlichauns project and at once understood the special appeal the animation series will have in the US.

Keith said: “The genius of the Carlichauns animation series lies within the simplicity of the idea of friends going on adventures together.

“Everything to this point has been really positive and I’m excited to see where this adventure leads.”

The eagerly awaited animation series, which is just one element of the brand’s rollout, will follow a group of Carlingford leprechauns, or Carlichauns as they are affectionately known, as they embark on adventures to grant wishes to children.

The Carlichauns travel all over the world via a magical portal under Carlingford on the east coast of Ireland.

The brand launched on St Patrick’s Day 2024 and since then there has been a groundswell of support especially in the United States where excitement is growing at the prospect of sharing centuries old Irish folklore on digital platforms.

Work continues on the animation series, which will be created using cutting-edge gaming technology and produced in Ireland.

Niall added: “The technology we are using is typically the domain of gaming companies, but it is incredibly flexible, efficient and capable of delivering unprecedented levels of detail when it comes to animation.

“The rendering process is also dramatically reduced meaning our animation series is more environmentally friendly, which is important to us as sustainability is a theme which runs throughout the animation series.”

Meanwhile, an augmented reality app which was launched at several St Patrick’s Day parades and events across Ireland last year, has now been rolled out in Los Angeles, with more locations.

A digital book series based on the Carlichauns’ adventures has launched on the Amazon platform. The first edition sees the Carlichauns rescue a cat for a child in New York while the second will be based on a St Patrick’s Day special wish.

The Carlichauns concept is the brainchild of Tim Patterson (ex-BBC, Disney & Nickelodeon) and Kevin Woods (Ireland’s very own Last Leprechaun Whisperer), who has dedicated his life to preserving and celebrating the myths and legends of Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsuala.

Tim and Kevin are among the co-founders of Carlichauns Entertainment, alongside CEO Niall Watters, chief financial officer, Eoin McCormack and senior executive, Steve Woods. The company also brought on former Irish Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall as a director and brand ambassador.