Explore 11 of Ireland’s epic landscapes through the lens of cinema.
Explore 11 of Ireland’s epic landscapes through the lens of cinema.
Ireland isn’t just a land of rolling green hills, castles that look like they were designed by a set director, and pubs where the Guinness flows like water after a long drought. It’s also become
doubling as fantasy kingdoms, windswept battlefields, and even distant galaxies. From Oscar-bait dramas to blockbuster franchises, the Emerald Isle has been stealing scenes left, right and centre - sometimes so convincingly you don’t even realise you’re looking at Ireland.
But here’s the best part, you can actually go there yourself. Whether you’re chasing Jedi wisdom or just a cracking view, these eleven filming locations make you feel like part of the story - no audition required.
1. Achill Island/Keem Bay, County Mayo
/ / / The Banshees of Inisherin, 2022 (directed by Martin McDonagh)
Let’s start with Achill Island, home to Keem Bay, which in The Banshees of Inisherin served as the ultimate backdrop for Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson’s spectacularly awkward falling out. If you thought the drama was all in the script, think again - the jagged cliffs, turquoise waters, and sweeping curves of the bay practically slap melancholy into your soul.
And the road down to Keem Bay deserves its own cinematic award: a twisting cliff-hugging ribbon of asphalt that gives panoramic views worthy of slow-motion.
Walk along the beach, feel the Atlantic breeze whipping your hair, and pretend you’re delivering lines as heartbreaking as those in the film.
Bonus points if you order some local seafood afterwards. Colin Farrell didn’t have any, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t.
2. Derry, County Londonderry
/ / / Derry Girls, 2018-2022 (written by Lisa McGee)
Few shows have captured Irish humour and heart like Derry Girls, and the real-life city of Derry is every bit as charismatic as its TV alter ego.
The walled city hums with energy, bursting with murals, music, and a kind of wit that’s sharp enough to cut through Northern Irish drizzle. Fans can visit key filming spots like Dennis’s Wee Shop or stroll along the Peace Bridge with the same chaotic outlook as Erin and her crew.
But even if you’ve never seen the show, Derry’s mix of history, culture, and cheeky spirit makes it irresistible.
It doesn’t take itself too seriously at all, and you’ll probably laugh a ton when you’re there, especially when a local inevitably quotes a line or two from the show.
3. Enniskerry, County Wicklow
/ / / Disenchanted, 2022 (directed by Adam Shankman)
Next, we teleport to storybook village vibes in Enniskerry, the charming village that played a starring role in Disney’s Disenchanted.
If you’ve ever fantasised about strolling through cobbled streets where a fairy tale could unfold at any moment, Enniskerry is your dream come true.
Quaint houses, lush greenery, and that “magical-but-real” vibe make it one of Ireland’s most Instagram-ready villages.
Even if Giselle didn’t appear to sing in the town square while you’re there, the village still has that cinematic sparkle.
Enniskerry is also a brilliant excuse to slow down. Wander the streets, sip a coffee in a local cafe, and let yourself imagine the fairies, songbirds, or even a cheeky prince lurking around the corner (a girl can dream).
Unlike Hollywood sets, this one is 100% real, which means you can explore it at your own pace, take as many photos as you want, and maybe even leave with a bit of Pip in your step.
4. Dún Briste, County Mayo
/ / / Dungeons & Dragons, 2023 (directed by John Francis Daley & Jonathon Goldstein)
A lone sea stack rising defiantly from the Atlantic, Dún Briste looks like the kind of place a dungeon master dreams up when they’re in the mood to terrify their players. But this dramatic rock tower off County Mayo’s coast is 100% real and so breathtaking it almost steals the show in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves.
Seen from the sheer cliffs above, the Atlantic crashes against its base with wild, elemental force: a sort of pilgrimage spot for adventurers who prefer their quests IRL.
The surrounding Downpatrick Head feels ancient and untamed, and the wind here could easily pass for the breath of a dragon.
Visit on a blustery day and you’ll understand why filmmakers flocked here. Fantasy doesn’t get more believable than this.
5. Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin
/ / / The Italian Job, 1969 (directed by Peter Collinson)
Once a grim symbol of Ireland’s turbulent past, Kilmainham Gaol now draws visitors for far more glamorous reasons, namely, its cameo in The Italian Job.
Inside, the long echoing corridors and arched cell blocks create the perfect cinematic backdrop for high-stakes schemes and prison-break energy.
Standing in the same halls once used to detain revolutionaries and movie stars alike is both eerie and fascinating.
You can almost hear the clink of keys and the plotting whispers. The guided tours are superb - a bit of a history lesson/film set experience - and they remind you that in Dublin, stories of rebellion and reinvention are never far apart. We reckon it’s proof Dublin’s greatest escapes aren’t just in the movies.
6. Bantry House, County Cork
/ / / Oddity, 2024 (directed by Damien McCarthy)
There’s something deliciously unsettling about Bantry House, even before you realise it’s the setting for the Irish psychological horror Oddity.
With its stately façade and sweeping views over Bantry Bay, it feels like the sort of mansion that could either host a quaint afternoon tea or a séance gone wrong. The interiors are all faded grandeur and creaky charm, perfect for film crews chasing atmospheric tension and visitors seeking a brush with the unnatural.
You can stroll past the fountain or wander through rooms filled with antiques that seem to be watching you back.
You can even stay the night in one of six rooms in the East Wing of the house, each with views overlooking the glorious 19th-century Italianate garden.
But once the sun goes down, the thrills come out, and, as the bay mists roll in, you might just find yourself glancing over your shoulder.
7. Skellig Michael, County Kerry
/ / / Star Wars, 2015 (directed by J.J. Abrams)
Looking for a place where the Force feels strong?
This dramatic island off the coast of Kerry is both a jaw-dropping backdrop and the Jedi’s personal retreat.
Towering cliffs, jagged rocks, and waves crashing like someone’s auditioning for the role of Poseidon make the island feel like a set plucked straight from a galaxy far, far away.
Visiting Skellig Michael is not for the faint of heart; getting there involves a choppy boat ride (waves included, naturally) and a climb up steep, ancient stone steps that’ll have you questioning your life choices. But once you reach the top, the views are epic enough to make you forgive your prematurely arthritic knees. And yes, you’ll feel a little like a Jedi in training, looking out over the Atlantic and imagining lightsabers and X-wings.
But it’s more than a Star Wars location; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich monastic history, so you’re practically getting a two-for-one deal (cinema and culture). Even if you’ve never held a lightsaber, standing atop this island is a reminder of why Ireland is so irresistible to filmmakers (as if we needed reminding, though).
8. Lough Tay, County Wicklow
/ / / Vikings, 2022-2024 (created by Jeb Staurt)
Lough Tay, also known as the Guinness Lake, is so cinematic it practically typecasts itself.
Its dark waters and stark mountain backdrop became the heart of Vikings, standing in for Kattegat, the Norse settlement where ambitions, betrayals, and bloody battles played out.
Seen from above, the lake resembles a giant pint of Guinness (fittingly, it’s part of the Guinness family estate).
But up close, it’s even more spectacular: a brooding beauty that feels ancient and alive.
Hike the surrounding Wicklow Mountains, breathe in the cold, clean air, and you can almost hear the clash of shields echoing through the valley. We’re not even exaggerating when we say it’s Ireland at its most mythic.
9. Downhill Beach & Mussendon Temple, Coleraine
/ / / Game of Thrones, 2011-2019 (created by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss)
If you ever wanted to feel like a character in Game of Thrones, head straight to Downhill Beach in County Londonderry.
This windswept expanse stood in for Dragonstone, where Melisandre set the Seven Hells ablaze in the name of the Lord of Light.
Looming above the beach is Mussenden Temple, perched dramatically on a cliff edge like its daring gravity to let go. Seriously, how has it not been swept away by the ocean yet?
But the whole scene is pure cinematic poetry - think moody skies, crashing waves, and a horizon that could swallow you whole if it wanted to. It’s really not hard to see why HBO’s scouts chose it. Just maybe skip the fire sacrifices when you’re there.
10. Curracloe Beach, County Wexford
/ / / Saving Private Ryan, 1998 (directed by Steven Spielberg)
We don’t think anyone watched the devastating Omaha Beach landing scene in Saving Private Ryan and thought, “wow, I really wanna run my fingers through that sand”. But it’s actually a cool place to visit.
The long, wide stretch of the sand in question was transformed into a D-Day landing zone for the 1998 film, but don’t worry, the only invasions here now are seagulls. Walking along Curracloe, you’ll understand why Spielberg picked it -
The wind-whipped dunes, endless horizon, and eerily serene atmosphere make it feel like time itself is holding its breath.
You can stand where history and cinema collided, gaze out at the ocean, and imagine the sheer scale of those movie-making logistics (and yes, a little bit of the actual war, if you like).
Snap photos or just sit and soak in the raw drama of nature meeting storytelling. It’s cinematic and somehow peaceful all at once, further proof that Ireland knows how to look epic without even trying. And unlike the soldiers in the film, you’ll actually want to come back here.
11. Killruddery House, County Wicklow
/ / / Far and Away, 1992 (directed by Ron Howard)
In Far and Away, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman flee Ireland’s rigid class system in search of freedom - ironic, given that much of the film’s “Ireland” scenes were shot at the grand Killruddery House, a sprawling estate just south of Dublin.
The house itself oozes aristocratic drama, with manicured gardens and elegant 17th-century architecture that feels straight out of a period romance. Visitors can take garden walks, explore the orangery, and even catch seasonal festivals and outdoor cinema nights on the grounds. Big vibes.
There’s also an undeniable sense of cinematic nostalgia here, kinda like old-world glamour merging with modern-day escapism.
You won’t need to saddle up and chase the American Dream, though. At Killruddery, the Irish dream is more than enough.
get in the know The Titanic's last stop was in Ireland. The ship made its final port call in Cobh (then Queenstown) before sailing into infamy. You can still visit the pier that passengers walked down.
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