Dyehouse Films

17/09/2026

06/09/2026

FRANK MCDONALD, first and foremost, was a proud Dubliner. Dublin pulsed through his veins as fuel for his brilliant mind, as a stimulant for the civic engagement that defined his life and career.

Frank’s knowledge of and love for Dublin was as infectious in person as it was immensely consequential in his writing. For it was Frank, like no other person before or since, who advanced Irish society’s understanding of planning, conservation, urbanism, and the environment.

His mark is indelibly printed into the story of Dublin’s Wood Quay, the demolition of Lower Fitzwilliam Street, of senseless road widening, and the annihilation of so much of our historic city. Beyond his prodigious press output, his books are landmarks in the lexicon of Dublin’s and Ireland’s modern development. For the punter and public official alike, their awareness of these issues, however tangential, can be traced back to Frank’s typewriter. That alone is a monumental legacy.

But Frank’s impact was greater. His fearless investigation into planning corruption, and the intersection of politics and development, drove major changes in our public administration. He helped establish new standards for quality of life in Ireland: principles embodied by the ‘living city’ – better apartments, public realm, architecture, public transport, and a respect for built heritage. Frank set the mood for this renaissance.

We have Frank to thank that so much of historic Dublin still stands. He exploited the rare intersection between journalist and scrupulous authority to wield his pen in the public interest, batting away madcap proposals and exposing clandestine schemes.

In recent years, Frank’s work to expose ‘private capture’ of public housing policy met with some online abuse. Occasionally, he was less adept at reading the virtual room, unfairly perceived as opposing housing rather than fighting to protect hard-won standards. In characteristic style, Frank took this as firm evidence of the force of the institutional property PR and lobbying machine, emboldening him further. He was dead right.

Frank was one of the most principled people in Irish life. Defending the public estate and our civic values went to the core of his being. That was the noble essence of the man we had the privilege to know and love.

To Eamon, his soulmate, and his wider family – Dublin will be forever in Frank’s debt.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

26/08/2026

Delighted to have a had a special mention at this showcase last year, it’s always a lovely evening full of camaraderie and support. If you’ve a film eligible you should deffo submit.

🎬 A look back at one of our 2025 Showcase Award winners

GLITCH
Directed by Bonnie Dempsey

🏆 Last year, Glitch received a Special Mention at the WFT Ireland Members Short Film Showcase, recognising the film as part of an exciting selection of work from our members.

Director: Bonnie Dempsey
Writers: Rodney Lee & Rodney Colin Lee
Producers: Nuala Carr & David O'Sullivan
Key Cast: Matilda Gavin, Amy Rose O'Hanlon
Composer: Sarah Lynch

✨ The 2026 WFT Ireland Short Film Showcase & Awards returns to the Irish Film Institute on 7 December, celebrating the work of our members on the big screen.

📅 Submit before NEXT FRIDAY, 4 September 2026 at 5pm!
https://filmfreeway.com/WFTIrelandMembersShortFilmShowcase

09/01/2026

Thanks to the team at Cinebulletin Magazine for inviting us to chat about our work.

Sending solidarity to our Swiss peers who are understandably anxious about the prospect of children’s public service media being defunded there.

https://cinebulletin.ch/fr/article/defendre-un-cinema-jeune-public-national

RTÉjr Screen Ireland Rodney Lee

En Irlande, une société de production trace depuis quinze ans une ligne singulière : Dyehouse Films propose des fictions live-action pensées pour les jeunes publics et profondément liées à leur territoire. Un geste artistique presque à contre-courant et pourtant de plus en plus nécessaire.....

07/01/2026

27/11/2025

GLITCH is showing at the wonderful Dublin International Comedy Film Festival this Saturday 11am Tailors Hall.
We are delighted to be included!

RTÉjr Rodney Lee .mo