The 20 Best Movies Filmed in Ireland: A Film Lover’s Travel Guide

The beautiful landscape of Ireland and its magnificent history have made their way onto the big screen. Ireland has been a backdrop for successful movies and TV shows, from television shows to huge Hollywood blockbusters. Have you ever wondered what famous movies were filmed in Ireland? Well, wonder no more—we have all of the answers!

The geography of Ireland is surprisingly varied for a relatively small country. From modern cities to charming fairytale-like villages, acres of lush green fields, and the iconic Wild Atlantic Way, diverse yet equally picturesque locations are in no short supply. It’s no wonder directors and producers want to film on the emerald aisle.

In this article, we have listed 20 of the most famous movies that have filmed scenes (or the entire movie) in Ireland, starting with our oldest film and working our way up to the most recent releases. From homegrown classics to some of the biggest franchises of all time and spanning over 70 years of cinema, this is your ultimate guide to movies filmed in Ireland! We’ll also show you how to explore these magical locations digitally and in person.

Movies Filmed in Ireland

In this article, you will find out about the real-life locations that were used in the following films:

• The Quiet Man (1952)
• Excalibur (1981)
• The Princess Bride (1987)
• My Left Foot (1989)
• The Commitments (1991)
• In the Name of the Father (1993)
• Braveheart (1995)
• Michael Collins (1996)
• Saving Private Ryan (1998)
• King Arthur (2004)
• Lassie (2005)
• P.S. I Love You (2007)
• Once (2007)
• Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009)
• Leap Year (2010)
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2014)
• Brooklyn (2015)
• The Last Duel (2021)
• Belfast (2021)
• Disenchanted (2022)

We also have a bonus location for a popular franchise at the end of this article; click here to jump ahead to our honourable mention!

#1. Iconic Movies Filmed in Ireland: The Quiet Man (1952)

The Quiet Man stars the king of Westerns, John Wayne, and Irish actress Maureen O’Hara.

The film follows the story of a man (John Wayne) who returns to Ireland and finds love with Maureen O’Hara’s character. Much of the filming in Ireland took place in Rural Galway and County Mayo, depicting the picturesque countryside of 1950s Ireland, which ended up stealing the show. One of the most famous locations for The Quiet Man filming is the village of Cong. The town has stayed the same for decades, becoming a popular tourist attraction.

An old but true classic adored by many worldwide, ‘The Quiet Man’ was one of the first colour films to glimpse Ireland’s undeniable beauty. The film includes two iconic stars, ‘The Duke’ John Wayne and Irish-born actress Maureen O’Hara. The brilliant John Ford directed the romantic drama.

Even today, tours and sightseeing trips take visitors to many of The Quiet Man’s filming locations. Many of the movies filmed in Ireland offer people an insight into our country’s changing landscape.

Maureen O’Hara, known as the Queen of Technicolour, is one of the greatest Irish actors ever. She even features on our list of Irish people who made history in their lifetime!

Digital Exploration Tip: At ConnollyCove, we’ve created an immersive video tour of Cong village, capturing the locations where iconic scenes were filmed. Our videographers have carefully matched film stills with modern-day views, allowing film enthusiasts to experience this classic movie setting virtually before visiting in person.

#2. Movies Filmed in Ireland: Excalibur (1981)

Next, we have Excalibur. The movie was entirely filmed in Ireland. The Oscar-nominated fantasy film was directed by British Director John Boorman in 1981. It retells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Based on a novel by Thomas Malory called Le Morte d’Arthur, it also included an impressive cast, such as Irish actor Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, and Helen Mirren.

The primary filming locations were Luggala Estate, Lough Tay, and the Wicklow Mountains in County Wicklow, as well as places in County Tipperary and Kerry.

For those who want to experience the film locations, try the Excalibur Drive. It is a 65-km round trip that starts and ends in Roundwood in Wicklow. During the drive, you’ll experience the best movie locations, including the amazing Powerscourt Waterfall, where one of the fight scenes occurs. Then, you’ll head towards Lough Tay, where Excalibur had many iconic scenes. The sites are impressive and show off the magnificent landscape of Ireland, which was masterfully shown in this movie.

The Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall, at 389ft, and is set around one of the most stunning parklands in Ireland. It is a place you must check out on a trip to Ireland!

It’s unique to have a whole film like this set in Ireland. It also offers accessible tourism for our country, as many people want to visit these locations after seeing them on the big screen.

It has also been acknowledged that Excalibur’s filming has played an essential role in the Irish filmmaking industry and helped launch the acting careers of several now-well-known actors.

#3. Cult Classic Movies Filmed in Ireland: The Princess Bride (1987)

Next up is the much-loved romantic fantasy comedy The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner and written by Oscar-winning screenwriter William Goldman. It has become a fan favourite since the eighties, and people still love to watch it today. The film’s shooting took place in locations in Ireland and Great Britain.

The Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic coast made another appearance in this movie, which is being dubbed the Cliffs of Insanity. The Irish cliffs have had their fair share of screen time on the big screen, as you will soon find out, but they are so impressive that it’s not hard to see why.

In the movie, the stunt double for the character of Westley scales the Cliffs of Insanity, a scene that highlights the sheer size and impressiveness of the site.

#4. Oscar Winning Movies Filmed in Ireland: My Left Foot (1989)

My Left Foot is a biographical comedy-drama directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Day-Lewis plays Christy Brown, a man born with cerebral palsy. Day-Lewis and Irish actress Brenda Fricker, who plays Christy’s mother, would go on to win Oscars for their performances. The film was critically and commercially acclaimed for its moving yet optimistic story.

Based on a true story, the film was praised for showcasing the importance of finding happiness in difficult situations, thanks to Sheridan and Christy Brown, who set the tone for the book and movie. The cultural significance of My Left Foot and its impact on the Irish Film industry cannot be understated. Filmmaking in Ireland had been virtually non-existent for decades. However, the Oscar win highlighted the potential Ireland had to offer.

It inspired other aspiring Irish actors on this list; the idea that an Irish story produced, directed, and filmed in Ireland and starring Irish actors could win multiple Oscars is a genuinely motivating thought.

Filming took place in Ardmore Studios in Wicklow and Dublin. In particular, many scenes were shot on location in Bray, Co. Wicklow. It is one of the most successful movies filmed in Ireland, and the win is even more impressive when you consider the quality of the movies that came out in 1989. ‘Dead Poets Society’, ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, ‘Glory’, and sequels to the blockbuster hits ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Ghostbusters’ were released that year.

#5. Irish Movies Filmed in Ireland: The Commitments (1991)

The Commitments is a musical comedy-drama based on the 1987 novel by Roddy Doyle. It is the first film of the Barrytown trilogy (which includes The Snapper and The Van) and follows Jimmy Rabbitte, a young music lover who assembles a soul band with other young working-class members.

In a poll by Jameson for The Dubliner, The Commitments was voted by the general public as the best Irish movie of all time. The film was shot in real-life locations all around Dublin.

The film also features a favourite Irish band called the Corrs, which became one of the most successful Irish groups of all time. The four siblings auditioned, hoping to appear as a band in the film. While they didn’t get that part, they all were featured in some capacity; Jim, Sharon, and Caroline made brief appearances, while Andrea got the role of Sharon Rabbite, the central character’s sister. Despite this, John Hughes, the film’s music coordinator, recognised their potential and became their manager.

So, can you thank Roddy Doyle for an entertaining book, fan-favourite movie, and even the hits of the Corrs, such as ‘Runaway’ and ‘Breathless’? While the latter may be a bit of a stretch, we won’t argue that The Commitments is one of the most beloved Irish movies ever.

The movie was filmed across Dublin, featuring many iconic sites throughout the city.

#6. Crime Drama Movies Filmed in Ireland: In the Name of the Father (1993)

Another directorial credit goes to Jim Sheridan for 1993’s In the Name of the Father, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Emma Thompson. The film tells the true story of the Guildford Four, four people wrongly convicted of the 1974 Guildford pub bombings, which resulted in 5 deaths. The movie follows the battle for freedom, corruption and prison life.

The movie was filmed in Dublin and the U.K., but most noticeably, the prison scenes were filmed in Kilmainham Gaol, a location of great historical importance in Irish history. The Jail was closed in 1924 but was preserved as a national monument in the 1960s and restored by the Kilmainham Gaol Restoration Committee. Opened in 1796, the prison housed many common criminals and political prisoners involved in Ireland’s struggle for independence, including Charles Stewart Parnell, Countess Markievicz and the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

Fourteen of the leaders were executed by firing squad in the Stonebreaker’s yard, including Joseph Mary Plunkett, who married his wife, artist Grace Gifford, in his cell hours before he was killed. The couple inspired the song ‘Grace’, covered by countless Irish musicians like the Dubliners and Christy Moore.

#7. Blockbuster Movies Filmed in Ireland: Braveheart (1995)

One of the most famous movies filmed in Ireland is, without a doubt, Braveheart. When people think of the movie, they automatically think of Scotland, where it is meant to be set, or the iconic role Mel Gibson played. However, people don’t know that many battle scenes were filmed in Ireland. The production team decided to film in Ireland, and most of the movie’s exterior scenes are from around Ireland.

The scenes meant to depict London were shot in Bective Abbey in County Meath, Ireland. Other scenes were filmed in County Kildare at the Curragh Plains, including the battle of Stirling Bridge in Braveheart.

Bective Abbey is a magnificent 15th-century Abbey, and once you visit it, you’ll understand why it was used as a filming location. Since Braveheart is set in a historical period, Bective Abbey was the perfect place to capture this period realistically. Its historical value adds to the movie and creates the best backdrop.

Did you know? Braveheart even recruited 1500 men from the Irish Defence Force to play the Army extras.

#8. Biographical Movies Filmed in Ireland: Michael Collins (1996)

Michael Collins is a biographical period drama starring Liam Neeson as the title character and a leading figure in the struggle for Irish Independence in early 20th-century Ireland. Alan Rickman and Julia Roberts star as Éamon de Valera and Kitty Kiernan, respectively.

The movie was a critical and commercial success. It was seen as an essential watch for its historical importance, so much so that the Irish Film Censor reduced the movie’s rating from over 15 to P.G. As expected with any adaption of a real-life event, specific film details may not be 100% historically accurate, but using real-life locations such as Kilmainham Jail enrichens the experience and reminds us of the past.

Scenes were filmed throughout the many historic locations in Ireland, including Kilmainham Jail.

Movies filmed in Dublin, Ireland, have a chance to show off everything the city offers. If you would like to learn more about the history of Dublin, you can check out our dedicated travel blog.

#9. War movies filmed in Ireland: Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Another popular film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring an impressive cast, including Tom Hanks and Matt Damon, is Saving Private Ryan. For those that don’t know, it’s a 1998 American War film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II.

They chose Ireland as a filming location because they thought it best matched the Normandy Coast. Filming took place at Balinesker Beach, just north of County Wexford. The beautiful beach was transformed into a thrilling war zone, and the cast and crew spent two months creating the movie. The production cost over 40 million pounds, and it was worth it because the film is a masterpiece.

Mel Gibson, who starred in Braveheart, recommended Ireland to Spielberg as he was very impressed with the locations and the Irish people during his time filming here. So, in the summer of 1997, filming began in Ireland for Saving Private Ryan; the rest is history. Again, like Braveheart, they involved up to 1000 extras, many of whom were played by the Irish Defence Force. The beach scene in Ireland cost 11 million dollars to shoot.

An unlikely problem during filming was how friendly the Irish weather was. This was the one time Ireland hoped for rain and cloud but got the opposite, as we are very used to rainy days. The crew needed the scene to fit the movie environment, so the special effects team created smoke and exploding debris on the beach to block out the sun.

The film went on to win an impressive five Oscars, and the Omaha Beach scene has consistently been recognised as a powerful part of it. Fans of the film must visit Balinese Beach and take a walk along its stunning shore, which Hollywood made famous.

#10. Movies Filmed in Ireland: King Arthur (2004)

Another movie that has seen many different versions over the years is King Arthur. But its 2004 remake brought a fresh and exciting view of the story, which stars Clive Owen and Keira Knightley. They filmed many movie scenes in Ireland; even interior shots occurred at Ardmore Studios in County Wicklow. Ardmore Studios has welcomed many filmmakers and production companies worldwide to its Irish studios. It offers world-class facilities and services endorsed by directors and actors alike.

Other notable filming locations in Ireland included the Ballymore Eustace in Kildare, which was used to portray Hadrian’s Wall. Filming also took place in the incredible estate of Powerscourt and Luggala, also known as Fancy Mountain and part of the Wicklow Mountains.

The Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow is one of Ireland’s leading tourist attractions and should be on your Irish bucket list. It offers an incredible view of Sugarloaf Mountain and has an impressive history dating back 800 years.

#11. Family Movies Filmed in Ireland: Lassie (2005)

Most people have grown up knowing the film Lassie. It’s a childhood favourite of many and a tale about a runaway dog. The Lassie franchise has been loved so much that it’s been made into 10 feature films and an incredible 675 television episodes. In 2005, it was announced that Charles Sturridge was producing a 21st-century remake of the movie.

At the time, a tax incentive was offered to bring film production companies to Ireland. The production team at Lassie jumped at this offer and spent over seven weeks filming in Ireland. As well as knowing Ireland offered spectacular scenery and a beautiful landscape, the Emerald Isle had developed a sturdy reputation for its hard-working crew. The production in Ireland employed 175 crew members, 55 cast members and over 1,000 extras.

One of the central locations they chose to film in Ireland was the magnificent Magilligarry Reeks. It’s the highest mountain range in Ireland, in the beautiful county of Kerry. The mountain stretches over 12 miles long and offers the only peaks in Ireland over 1,000 metres in height. It makes for a worthy visit to Ireland as you’ll be greeted with amazing views. The new movie version offers an ironic twist on the original, maybe because it is partly set in Ireland, offering!

Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain at 1,038.6 metres, is found at the peak of the Magillycuddy Reeks.

#12. Romantic Drama movies filmed in Ireland: P.S. I Love You (2007)

The following item on our list is one of the most famous romantic drama movies filmed in Ireland. An ensemble cast featuring Hillary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow, James Marsters, Harry Connick Jr., and Jeffrey Dean Morgan came together for the film adaptation of Irish author Cecelia Ahern’s number one best-selling debut novel, P.S. I Love You.

The movie follows widow Holly, who receives a message from her late husband Gerry on her 30th birthday. He has arranged for her and her friends to visit Ireland, his home country. This message is the first of many from her husband. Each new one sends Holly further along her adventure and into a journey of self-discovery and learning how to overcome grief.

The movie was filmed in New York, Wicklow, and Whelan’s pub in Dublin.

#13. Musical movies filmed in Ireland: Once (2007)

With an Oscar-winning soundtrack, the Irish romance drama Once stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as two struggling street musicians in Dublin. The duo performed together in the group The Swell Seasons and wrote and composed all of the music in the film. Hansard and Irglová’s song “Falling Slowly” won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the soundtrack received a Grammy Award nomination.

The busking scenes were filmed on Grafton Street, a popular shopping area where a singer or two will always perform. Did you know that the lead male role was initially supposed to go to Cillian Murphy, who also had a professional career in music as the lead singer of a rock band, ‘The Sons of Mr Green’s Genes?

Famous performers such as Dermot Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, and Glen Hansard have all spent time busking on Grafton Street in the early days of their music careers.

Other movies filmed in Ireland, in the heart of Dublin city, strive to be as personal as this film. A romantic image is presented, yet the struggling characters add a realness to the story. Life hasn’t turned out exactly as they hoped, yet they are still fighting to do what they love.

#14. Fantasy Movies Filmed in Ireland: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

As one of the most successful movie franchises in the world, Harry Potter shot one of its films in Ireland and the U.K. The sixth instalment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher.

Fans of the wizarding world will remember the iconic scene in which Harry Potter and Dumbledore look for Voldemort’s magical locket. Set on the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, the wizarding duo battles the evil undead, trying to retrieve the mystical artefact that could be the key to defeating the greatest evil in the world.

The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction. Over one million people visit County Clare each year to see the cliffs.

The Cliffs of Moher provided a captivating, realistic, and dramatic backdrop for the Harry Potter Film. The unforgiving crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged Cliffs help to add to the tension of the movie’s climax. The cliffs are breathtaking; even the best films can’t do them justice. For such a dramatic scene, the environment must be imposing. It’s one site you must experience to appreciate its beauty truly.

The author of the Harry Potter series was adamant about hiring actors from Ireland and the U.K., so it may not surprise you that this is on our list of movies filmed in Ireland.

Did you know? The Hogwarts library featured in the Harry Potter films was inspired by Trinity College’s Library in Dublin, which houses the Book of Kells.

#15. Rom-com Movies Filmed in Ireland: Leap Year (2010)

In 2010, Leap Year was released, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode. The story follows Anna Brady, who flies to Ireland to surprise her boyfriend with a proposal. Traditionally, on a leap year, a lady could propose to a man, and he would have to say yes; Anna had waited years for a proposal and decided to take matters into her own hands.

Of course, Anna has to overcome several obstacles if she wants to propose before the Leap Year ends. A series of misfortunes means she arrives in Cork, over 150 miles from her boyfriend in Dublin. The race is on, but after meeting a local Irish man who agrees to drive her to Dublin, things get even more complicated, and unexpected feelings arise.

Filming occurred in County Wicklow, Dublin, County Mayo, and County Galway. Famous locations such as the Aran Islands, Connemara, Temple Bar, Georgian Dublin, Wicklow National Park, Olaf Street, and Waterford were near filming locations.

The Leap Year movie, filmed in Ireland, received mixed reviews, but Amy Adams was universally praised for her role. This isn’t the only time the Hollywood actress will appear on our list.

#16. Sci-fi Movies Filmed in Ireland: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2014)

Next on the list is the impressive Star Wars universe, one of the biggest franchises in recent movie history. A primary production like Star Wars film in Ireland is a big deal! The Star Wars film has been an enormous success, especially for Irish tourism, with much of the outside scenes filmed along the rugged coasts of Ireland.

One of the critical Irish locations used in filming was an island known as Skellig Michael. The island is located off the coast of County Kerry. The island’s isolation and the captivating landscape perfectly play for the Star Wars film. You might not know that Skellig Island’s unique beehive shape inspired the “Jedi Temple” built from scratch on the Dingle Peninsula.

While the cast and crew were filming in County Kerry, they were based in Portmagee, a lovely Irish seaside town. They spoke highly of their time there and the great Irish hospitality.

Skellig Michael is one of the hidden gems in Ireland. Skellig Michael is one of the two islands in Ireland that rise 714ft above sea level, offering impressive coastal views. The island has been renowned as an essential site for breeding seabirds in Ireland for hundreds of years.

You can take two tours to Skellig Island: a landing tour or an eco tour around both islands. The tours are always very popular, and booking in advance is best. It’s great to visit, especially if you’re a Star Wars fan and appreciate its unique landscape. While you may not feel like you are on Tatooine or Hoth, it is a sight you find anywhere else in the world!

You are not forgetting the other Irish sites used for filming this movie, including Loop Head in County Clare, Malin Head in Donegal and Brown Head in County Cork—all worthy sites to explore in your movie filmed in Ireland road trip.

#17. Period Drama Movies Filmed in Ireland: Brooklyn (2015)

Brooklyn was released in 2015 as a romantic period drama telling the heartbreaking story of the Irish diaspora, particularly Eilis Lacey’s immigration to New York. Saoirse Ronan starred as Eilis, with Emory Cohen and Domhnall Gleeson co-starring as her two potential lovers. This symbolises the choice she has to make: return home to Ireland and accept her role in society, or stay in New York and try to achieve the American dream.

We can relate to Eilis’s struggles with homesickness and yearning to be back with family and friends in the small town of Enniscorthy. However, in the 1950s, Ireland had very little to offer a young woman like Eilis apart from the prospect of marrying into wealth. Once she began to adapt to life in America, a tragic incident forced her to decide on her future much sooner than expected.

One of our favourite movies, Brooklyn, was filmed in Ireland and presented a realistic image of the economic struggle of the past.

Filming was divided between Ireland and Montreal, Quebec, with a few days in Brooklyn, particularly Coney Island Beach.

#18. Action Drama Movies Filmed in Ireland: The Last Duel (2021)

Directed by Ridley Scott and with a screenplay provided by Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the duo behind Good Will Hunting, The Last Duel had all the right components to be a fantastic movie. While not as successful at the box office as Scott had hoped, the film was released with generally positive reviews, with Jodie Comer’s role being especially praised.

An ensemble cast featured Damon above, Affleck and Comer, Adam Driver, Harriet Walter, and Alex Lawther. Filming occurred throughout Ireland, including Bective Abbey in Tipperary, Cahir Castle in Meath, and Wicklow in Dublin.

#19. Biopic / Coming-of-age Movies Filmed in Ireland: Belfast (2021)

Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, Belfast stars Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan and Jude Hill. A semi-autobiographical film and Branagh’s most personal movie to date, Belfast follows the story of a young boy growing up in Belfast City at the beginning of the Troubles in 1969.

The film was a critical and commercial success, garnering many Academy nominations and winning an Oscar for Best Screenplay at the 79th Annual Golden Globe Awards. It was shot in London and Belfast and is primarily black and white, a nod, no doubt, to the nostalgic times of childhood and the film itself during that era. The choice was confirmed to be made to amplify the emotional performances of the actors and eliminate distractions in the form of colourful wardrobes or sets.

#20. Disney Movies Filmed in Ireland: Disenchanted (2022)

A new movie filmed in Ireland, Disenchanted, is the sequel to Disney’s Enchanted (2007). It stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Idina Menzel, and James Marsden, who have returned to play their respective roles.

The movie was filmed in the town of Enniskerry in Co. Wicklow, as well as in England, LA, and New York. The entire village received a Disney makeover, with hand-painted signs on shops and bright flowers everywhere you look. The city went viral during filming as residents posted pictures of the magical fairytale alterations made to their hometown. Unfortunately, significant reshoots left many uncertain about how much of the town would appear in the film.

Movies filmed in Ireland often attract considerable attention, and Disenchanted was no exception. Many Disney fans visited the set.

Digital Exploration: Experience Irish Film Locations Online

While visiting Ireland’s stunning film locations in person is undoubtedly the ultimate experience, modern technology allows film enthusiasts to explore these iconic settings virtually. At ConnollyCove, we’ve embraced this digital frontier by creating immersive online experiences of these cinematic landscapes.

Virtual Tours of Famous Film Locations

Our video production team has crafted detailed virtual tours of many iconic filming locations, allowing you to:

• Take a 360-degree walk through the Quiet Man filming locations in Cong
• Experience a drone flyover of the majestic Cliffs of Moher as seen in Harry Potter and The Princess Bride
• Explore Skellig Michael’s dramatic landscape featured in Star Wars
• Tour Dublin’s streets where Once and The Commitments were filmed

“Creating these virtual tours is about more than just showcasing pretty landscapes,” explains Ciaran Connolly, Founder of ConnollyCove. “We’re telling the story of how these locations transformed for film, capturing both their natural beauty and cinematic significance, giving viewers a deeper appreciation of Ireland’s role in global cinema.”

YouTube Channel: Irish Film Locations Series

Our YouTube channel features a popular series dedicated to Irish film locations, including:

• Side-by-side comparisons of movie scenes with current location views
• Behind-the-scenes stories from locals who witnessed the filming
• Practical information for those planning to visit
• Seasonal variations show how these locations change throughout the year

These videos have become valuable resources for film enthusiasts and tourism businesses looking to showcase these attractions to potential visitors.

Why are Movies Filmed in Ireland?

Ireland has played a massive role in the film industry. People film in Ireland because we have the best locations, crew, and actors. The Irish landscape is special and is often showcased in movies, capturing an international audience with our beautiful country.

Film studios in Ireland, such as Ardmore Studios, and tax incentives are attractive for suitable projects and cannot be overlooked. Ireland is also known for its skilled and educated workforce and natural propensity for the arts.

The increasing number of film production companies relocating to Ireland has significantly benefited Irish tourism. People choose holidays and trips to Ireland because they have seen its beauty and charm on the screen and want to visit the real-life locations in their favourite movies and TV shows.

Key Filming Locations in Ireland

Based on our visits to these locations and conversations with film industry professionals, these are the most versatile and frequently used filming spots across Ireland:

1. Wicklow Mountains – Featured in Excalibur, P.S. I Love You, Braveheart
2. Cliffs of Moher – Featured in Harry Potter, The Princess Bride
3. Dublin City – Featured in Once, The Commitments, and Michael Collins
4. Skellig Michael – Featured in Star Wars
5. County Mayo – Featured in The Quiet Man, The Banshees of Inisherin
6. Powerscourt Estate – Featured in King Arthur, Excalibur
7. Kilmainham Gaol – Featured in In the Name of the Father, Michael Collins
8. Balinesker Beach – Featured in Saving Private Ryan

Planning Your Irish Film Location Tour

Our extensive experience exploring these filming locations has developed this practical guide to help you plan your film-inspired journey through Ireland.

Suggested Itineraries

The Star Wars and Harry Potter Route (5 days)

• Days 1-2: Skellig Michael and County Kerry (Star Wars)
• Days 3-4: Cliffs of Moher (Harry Potter, Princess Bride)
• Day 5: Dublin – Trinity College Library (Harry Potter inspiration)

The Hollywood Blockbusters Tour (7 days)

• Days 1-2: Balinesker Beach, Wexford (Saving Private Ryan)
• Days 3-4: Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt (Excalibur, King Arthur)
• Days 5-6: Bective Abbey, Trim Castle (Braveheart, The Last Duel)
• Day 7: Dublin city locations

The Irish Classics Route (4 days)

• Days 1-2: County Mayo and Cong (The Quiet Man)
• Day 3: Dublin (The Commitments, Once)
• Day 4: Kilmainham Gaol (In the Name of the Father, Michael Collins)

Best Times to Visit

• Summer (June-August): Ideal for visiting coastal locations like Skellig Michael and the Cliffs of Moher, with longer daylight hours and better weather. Note that Skellig Michael landing tours only operate during this season.
• Spring/Autumn (April-May, September-October): Fewer tourists and beautiful scenery with changing colours. Perfect for the Wicklow Mountains and rural locations.
• Winter (November-March): Dublin city locations are excellent year-round. Some rural areas may have limited access.

Transportation Tips

• Car Rental: The most flexible option for exploring multiple film locations, especially rural ones with limited public transport.
• Public Transport: Dublin city locations are easily accessible by public transport. Some rural locations like Cong (The Quiet Man) have limited bus services.
• Guided Tours: Several companies offer specific film location tours, particularly for major franchises like Star Wars and Game of Thrones.

Accommodation Recommendations

• Dublin: Perfect base for city film locations and day trips to nearby Wicklow Mountains.
• Galway: Great for accessing Cong (The Quiet Man) and Connemara locations.
• Kerry: Essential for Star Wars locations and southwest areas.
• Belfast: Base for exploring the “Belfast” filming locations and Northern sites.

“When planning a film location tour in Ireland, it’s worth mapping out your route in advance,” advises Ciaran Connolly. “Many locations are in rural areas, and while they’re worth visiting, they require some planning to reach efficiently. Our digital tools can visualise these routes and maximise your time.”

A Very Honourable Mention

While not technically a movie, it is impossible to deny that in the last decade, streaming services and TV producers have been able to produce high-quality TV series that rival or maybe even surpass the big screen in terms of storytelling. The medium of film is still an integral part of cinema, but the small screen is now getting the respect it deserves. It would feel wrong to leave Game of Thrones out of this list, considering the cultural impact and economic benefit it has had on tourism in the island of Ireland.

AHBO’s Game of Thrones show is at the end of the list, possibly the most successful. The series was shot in many sites around Northern Ireland as a filming location. The series has played a massive role in generating tourism to Ireland, as adoring fans flock to the country to check out all the places where iconic scenes have been filmed. Why not check out Game of Thrones Filming Locations around Ireland?

FAQs

Curious about Ireland’s cinematic magic? Here are the answers to the most common questions we receive about Ireland’s starring role in famous films and how you can experience these iconic locations for yourself.

Conclusion

Ireland has captivated filmmakers for decades with landscapes that outshine even the best CGI. From ancient castles to dramatic coastlines, these authentic settings enhance performances and storytelling in ways digital effects cannot. Through ConnollyCove’s digital expertise in video production and content creation, we help showcase these cinematic treasures to inspire film tourists worldwide. What’s your favourite movie filmed in Ireland? Let us know in the comments below.