The Dark Hedges Co. Antrim
The dark hedges are one of the most photographed sights in Northern Ireland and were famously used as a filming location for season 2 of Game of Thrones. The trees provide an Insta-worthy backdrop for some selfies but are also captivating and haunting as the 90 plus trees turn into one another. The twisted branches form a tunnel-like effect and local legend has it that a grey lady haunts this area after dark and can be seen moving between the trees. There is an ongoing mission to maintain the area and plant more trees. The Bregagh Road is located between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim. Though the road is now closed to traffic, tourists can still visit, and it is a popular stop on Game of Thrones filming tours.
Cahir Castle, Co. Tipperary
Cahir Castle is a well-preserved medieval castle located in the heart of Cahir Town, Co. Tipperary. It was used in the shooting of the 1981 epic medieval fantasy film, Excalibur and in more recent times Ben Affleck and Matt Damon used it as a filming location for their star-studded production, The last Duel. There is a “sword in a stone” monument to the back of the castle to commemorate the production of Excalibur, the sword is inscribed with the names of locals who featured as extras in the film. Cahir Castle remains the town’s top tourist attraction and because the castle remains one of the largest and best-preserved in the country, it continues to appeal to film production crews.
Dunquin Co. Kerry
Ryan’s Daughter was filmed on the Dingle Peninsula over the course of 12 months in 1970. The film tells the story of a forbidden affair between a married Irish woman and a British officer. A fictional village called Kirrary was constructed. The parish of Dún Chaoin was used for the filming of the schoolhouse and the barracks, whereas beautiful Coumeenole Beach was used for the scene where villagers load arms, a commemorative stone was laid here in 1999, to mark the 30 th anniversary of the filming.
The Sally Gap, Co. Wicklow
P.S. I love you became the debut novel that catapulted Cecilia Ahern to fame, but it was the movie adaptation that had scores of readers fall in love with Ireland. The Sally Gap in Wicklow Mountains National Park is the beautiful backdrop where the main characters Holly and Gerry meet. Whelan’s Pub in Dublin also gets some airtime, as the music venue where Holly goes to enjoy a pint and listen to some live music.
Cliffs of Moher Co. Clare
The world-famous cliffs of Moher are used as a filming location for the cliffs of insanity in the 1987 movie The Princess Bride and for a brief scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Cong, Co. Mayo
It will be an ageing audience that now remembers the 1952 release of John Ford’s The Quiet Man. The old Hollywood classic charted the turbulent love story of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s’ characters, whilst putting the tiny village of Cong in County Mayo on the global map. Visitors today can experience a jolt back in time by touring the tiny village and visiting The Quiet Man Museum, a replica of the original White O’ Morn cottage.
Ballinesker Beach, Co. Wexford
When legendary film director Steven Spielberg was looking for a beach to perfectly mimic the D Day landings in World War 2, it was to Irish shores he brought the cast and crew of War Biopic Saving Private Ryan. He settled on Ballinesker Beach, Curracloe Strand, Co. Wexford to replicate the Omaha Beach at Normandy for the D Day landings. It’s estimated that almost $12 million of the movie’s budget was spent on filming at Curracloe as Spielberg wanted the beach scenes as true to real life as possible.
