9 Popular movie and TV filming locations you can visit in Ireland

Castle Ward 

Movie/series: Game of Thrones 

Primarily shot in stunning destinations around Ireland, Castle Ward is one Game of Thrones filming location you should add to your Irish tour. One of the most recognizable movie sets, Castle Ward, sets the scene for Winterfell, the home estate of the Stark family before the Boltons' siege. You may recognize sites on the estate such as Whispering Wood, the archery range, and Robb Stark's war camp. The castle and grounds are open to the public, waiting to be explored.   

The eight-season series highlighted other locations in Ireland, including rugged coastlines, expansive countryside, and historic buildings. These include Murlough Bay, Cushendun Caves, Lough Neagh, and Sallagh Braes.   

Dark Hedges 

Movie/series: Game of Thrones, Transformers: The Last Knight  

An eerily beautiful lane of beech trees along Bregagh Road, the Dark Hedges, is a favourite destination for Game of Thrones fans. It served as the set for King's Road, where Arya Stark famously escaped King's Landing disguised as a boy. She was later captured by the Brotherhood without Banners and taken to their hideout in Pollnagollum Cave, located in Belmore Forest—another spot you can visit. 

Within a 30-minute drive of the Dark Hedges, you'll find iconic attractions like the Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Portstewart Strand. The latter, another Game of Thrones filming location, doubled as the Dornish coastline where Jaime and Bronn landed to retrieve Princess Myrcella. 

The road is pedestrian-only, so park nearby at The Hedges Hotel and walk beneath the stunning canopy. While made famous by Game of Thrones, the Dark Hedges also appeared in Transformers: The Last Knight, when Merlin rode for help. 

Wild Atlantic Way 

Movie/series: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Vikings Valhalla  

Follow in the footsteps of Jedis as you explore multiple Star Wars filming locations along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, stretching from Brow Head in County Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal. 

At Brow Head, near the Mizen Head Peninsula, the film crew for Star Wars: The Last Jedi used run-down buildings, rocky caves, and abandoned mines as part of the set. While there, you can visit quaint villages, a beach framed by massive dunes, and the Mizen Head Visitor Centre. Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site and monastic settlement atop a rock in the ocean, is instantly recognizable from the closing scenes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Accessible by approved boats, visitors can climb its windy steps or enjoy a cruise around the islands from Portmagee. 

Sybil Head, near the town of Dingle, was a key location where replica stone beehive huts were built to represent Luke Skywalker's home on the fictional planet of Ahch-To. The area offers stunning seaside views and scenic walks along nearby beaches. Loop Head features dramatic cliffs, a historic lighthouse, and tidal caves. Scenes with Rey in the lighthouse amphitheatre were filmed here, and the nearby town of Kilkee boasts sandy beaches perfect for exploring. 

At Malin Head, the northernmost point of Ireland, a replica Millennium Falcon was constructed on its rocky coastline. Visitors can take a Star Wars walking tour to learn about filming locations and the area's history. 

The Wild Atlantic Way also appears in the Vikings: Valhalla series. While Jomsborg village scenes were shot in County Wicklow, the entrance to the Jomsborg stronghold and the surrounding cliffs were filmed on the Mizen Head Peninsula. 

"Derry" Londonderry  

Movie/series: Derry Girls  

Discover the must-visit filming locations of Derry Girls as you explore the vibrant streets of Derry. Pop into Dennis's Wee Shop in Bogside, near the iconic Free Derry Corner mural, where the gang stocked up on crisps and treats.  

Take a stroll down Limewood Street in West Derry, the iconic hill where the girls and James walked to school. Explore the historic Derry Walls, including the famous Bishop's Gate, a key location featured in the show.  

While not a filming location, be sure to visit the striking Derry Girls mural near Badgers Bar on Orchard Street, a must-see for fans. 

Cliffs of Mohr 

Movie/series: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Princess Bride, Leap Year 

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore and Harry continue their perilous quest to locate and destroy the Horcruxes, leading them to the dramatic and windswept Cliffs of Moher. 

This iconic Irish landscape is famously featured in the 1987 classic The Princess Bride as the "Cliffs of Insanity," where Inigo and Fezzik scale the jagged heights while carrying Vizzini, with Westley—believed to be the Dread Pirate Roberts—in determined pursuit.  

The cliffs have also made memorable appearances in other films, including Leap Year, where Anna and Declan share their first kiss, and the Netflix movie Irish Wish, starring Lindsay Lohan, in several stunning coastal scenes. 

Dublin 

Movie/series: Conversations with Friends, Normal People, P.S I Love You  

Based on Sally Rooney's novel, the drama series Conversations with Friends is set primarily in Ireland. At its heart is Trinity College in Dublin, where the two main characters, Frances and Bobbi, are students. Seapoint Beach features early in the series when Melissa, Frances, and Bobbi go swimming, and the nearby Seapoint DART railway station also makes an appearance. Frances and Bobbi's flat is located in the center of Dublin on Hardwicke Street, with scenes filmed on surrounding streets such as Blessington Street and in the Temple Bar area.  

Sally Rooney's other acclaimed adaptation, Normal People, was also filmed in Ireland, with scenes shot at Trinity College.  

The new season of Netflix's Wednesday, scheduled to premiere in 2025, was filmed entirely in Ireland, and there are rumours that some shooting occurred at Trinity College. Cast members were spotted staying in and hanging out in Dublin during production, so it's likely other capital city locations will appear in the show.  

Another iconic Dublin location, Whelan's pub on Wexford Street, appears in the film P.S. I Love You. Now famous for the scene where Gerry sings "Galway Girl" to Holly, the pub is an actual live music venue worth visiting. 

Belfast 

Movie/series: Conversations with Friends, Derry Girls  

Conversations with Friends features several filming locations around Belfast, doubling as parts of Dublin. Areas of Queen's University Belfast and Campbell College were used to stand in for Trinity College, while interiors like the Lyric Theatre (where Nick stars in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), The MAC art centre (Melissa's book launch), and local spots like OX Restaurant, Established Coffee, and No Alibis bookstore were also featured. 

Belfast also serves as the backdrop for Derry Girls, standing in for the city of Derry. The fictional Our Lady Immaculate College was filmed at Hunterhouse College and St Mary's University College. Fionnula's Fish and Chips, a staple in the girls' lives, was shot at John Long's on Athol Street. The iconic season one scene with the "crying Virgin Mary" was filmed inside the Parish Church of St George. 

County Wicklow: Lough Tay, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough, Luggala Estate 

Movie/series: Wednesday Season 2, Vikings Valhalla, Irish Wish, Ella Enchanted, P.S. I Love You, Leap Year 

After filming in Romania for season one, the production of Wednesday season two was moved to Ireland. Filming took place at Ashford Studios in County Wicklow and was the largest international production ever to take place in Ireland. The studio grounds have expansive fields, a period building, lakes and woodland areas ideal for filming. Although off-site locations have not been confirmed, there are many favourites in Country Wicklow, so it wouldn't be surprising if other destinations appeared once the show premieres on Netflix in 2025.  

Netflix's Vikings Valhalla shares many filming locations with its parent show, Vikings, primarily around County Wicklow. Most of the series was filmed at Ashford Studios, a key location for the wide-scale battle scenes. The Roundwood Quarry in Calary Lake was a prime set for Jomsborg village, while the ice river sequences were filmed at Ballyhorsey Quarry. Over the years of shooting, it was not uncommon to spot Viking ships along the Wicklow Coast. Aerial shots setting up the fictitious Kattegat show Ireland's Lough Tay, a lake nicknamed Guinness Lake, found within the Wicklow Mountains.  

Lough Tay is also a filming location in Irish Wish, used when the character Maddie makes a wish sitting on the wishing chair, and a magical turn of events begins to unfold. The lake and estate are privately owned, so you cannot visit the outdoor chair, but you can access surrounding viewpoints to catch a glimpse of the lake and sandy beach below.  

The fairytale movie Ella Enchanted, starring Anne Hathaway, had most scenes filmed in the County Wicklow region of Ireland, including its Ardmore Studios. The Luggala Estate, situated next to the Wicklow Mountains, was used for some interior scenes.  

Part of the romantic comedy that had us all in tears in 2007, P.S. I Love You, was set in Ireland, so it's no surprise that much filming was done here. The beauty of the Wicklow Mountains was used in many scenes, including when Gerry and Holly first meet, specifically near the Sally Gap. They find their way to a charming village, County Wicklow's Lacken Village, where they share their first kiss. This scene also includes views of the lovely Blessington Lakes. There is a closer shot of these lakes when the ladies travel to Ireland years later and attempt to go fishing.  

The Ireland-based movie Leap Year was filmed in areas across the country, with memorable scenes captured in Enniskerry and Glendalough within County Wicklow. When Anna and Declan crash a wedding, the bride makes a heartfelt toast to her new husband against a view of Glendalough's upper lake. The post-wedding scene was filmed nearby in the village of Enniskerry.  

County Wicklow: Killruddery House And Gardens, Powerscourt Estate And Waterfall 

Movie/series: Irish Wish, Vikings Valhalla, Ella Enchanted, Fate: The Winx Saga 

While still found in County Wicklow, Killruddery House and Powerscourt Estate are two stunning estates with historic buildings surrounded by lush grounds, making for ideal film sets.  

Filmed largely in the region, one of the first notable filming locations in Irish Wish is the Killruddery House. The stately mansion is set as the Kennedy home, Maddie's (played by Lindsay Lohan) epic crush Paul's family residence. Some other estate scenes, including when Paul does his book signing, were shot nearby at Powerscourt Estate.  

Powerscourt Waterfall appears in Vikings Valhalla, as seen in the background when Harald and Leif journey across the beautifully rugged terrain on horseback. According to InDublin, scenes during the second season of Wednesday also feature this stunning waterfall.  

The Powerscourt Estate house and gardens were used in the 2004 film Ella Enchanted to portray the castle's interior and the royal court scenes. Killruddery House and Garden and Humewood Castle were also sets for the film.  

The grand Killruddery House is the fictional Alfea School of Magic set, a centred location in the Fate: The Winx Saga Netflix series. The Killruddery estate has a quaint cottage, which appears in the movie P.S. I Love You, as the rental where Holly and her friends stay during their Ireland holiday.  

Experience these filming locations for yourself 

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