Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, will tomorrow launch the National Youth and Animation School, which has been a national operation running in Kilkenny for the last 27 years. The now residential organisation, aims to deliver high-quality youth arts programs, through film and digital media nationwide. The digital film training and production centre teaches those aged 9 to 25, to produce a broadcast quality level of content creation - irregardless of their background in life.

The launch shall take place at the Cartoon Saloon Animation Studios in The Maltings, at 3pm on the 23rd of February.

Minister Madigan will also launch the Kilkenny Animated 2018 festival on the same day. The brand-new festival will focus on visual story-telling - including cartoons, animation and illustration, in exhibitions, talks, performances, workshops and experiences.

Hosted by twice-Academy Award® nominated animation studio, Cartoon Saloon, it will be launched at The Goods Shed, of McDonagh Junction Shopping Centre at 4:30pm, 23rd of February. A link to the event page is