Curracloe Beach, Co Wexford
A beautiful, clean sandy coastline stretching for miles with strong movie credentials is a must-visit for anyone visiting the sunny southeast this summer. Curracloe Beach entered Irish movie lore all the way back in 1997, courtesy of the spectacular 24-minute D-Day landing filmed here by the legendary Steven Spielberg for Saving Private Ryan.
Involving around 1,500 extras, the spectacular setting of the Ballinesker Beach section of the strand, chosen for its resemblance to Normandy, resulted in an iconic movie opening, which is regarded by many as the greatest battle scene ever on the big screen.
In more recent years, its stunning natural beauty also featured in Brooklyn, the 2015 film adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s deeply affecting novel, where Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) and Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) enjoyed a day at the seaside.
Saoirse Ronan in the hit film Brooklyn. You can visit many of the film locations in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford or the seaside locations at Curracloe Beach.
2. The English Market, Cork
With season five of The Young Offenders currently airing on RTÉ 1, it’s the perfect time to visit or even revisit some of the iconic Leeside locations made famous by Conor and Jock’s escapades.
Filmed primarily in and around the city streets, it’s a great opportunity to shoot your own dance scene, just like the lads in their tracksuits and trainers in Carey’s Lane, or head to the iconic English Market, where Conor’s mother works as a fishmonger. Who can forget Conor’s time working on the stall or the epic chase through the foodie destination on bikes?
The Shakey Bridge (love this name) where the lads enjoyed a dip in the River Lee, and the iconic bench they regularly sit on overlooking Bell’s Field, St Patrick’s Hill, Sunday’s Well and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral all heavily feature in each of the five series to date and are worth checking out on any visit down south.
See discoverireland.ie
Paul and Pat O'Connell on the fish stall in The English Market, Cork city, which regularly featured in The Young Offenders television show. /Clare Keogh
3. Carrickfergus, Co Antrim
Northern Ireland has become a hugely popular location for TV and film in recent years, so much so that tourism authorities have produced a SCENEic map showing a myriad of beautiful locations you’ll be familiar with all over the province.
From the Oscar-nominated Irish Goodbye set in the scenic Sperrin Mountains in Tyrone to the iconic Game of Thronesand Derry Girls, you’re spoilt for choice to capture your own movie moment.
One that caught our eye was Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, the fantasy adventure inspired by a legendary game. Travel to the historic town of Carrickfergus, which inspired the world-famous song, where actors Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Regé-Jean Page battled their enemies as they searched for a powerful artefact. Its medieval castle, rich heritage and coastal views provide a fitting backdrop for a movie filled with magic. Carrickfergus also features in historical drama Hunger, thriller comedy Pixie, and drama series Paula.
See discovernorthernireland.com
Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim at night. The historic fortification featured in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves in 2023. /Tourism NI
Dubbed Europe’s Hollywood by many industry insiders, many parts of Co Wicklow feel very familiar. That’s because they are – the Garden County has played host to hundreds of films and TV series down through the years. Tourist authorities have even mapped out scenic driving routes for visitors to take in locations used in epic films like Braveheart, Michael Collins and Excalibur.
Follow the Wicklow Film Trail to enjoy the diverse landscape from the scenic hills and mountains to the rugged coastline hugging picturesque villages and country houses and gardens to see why it is the base for some of our favourite small screen and big screen favourites.
For example (there are so many), the beautiful Powerscourt Estate, already well worth a visit in its own right, has featured in Netflix hit Wednesday, The Tudors, Barry Lyndon and The Count of Monte Cristo to name a few. You’ll also notice Powerscourt Waterfall in recent productions like Disenchanted, and Vikings. The Sally Gap, high in the Wicklow Mountains, was the backdrop for PS I Love You, Dancing at Lughnasa and Braveheart. And Hollywood village (how fitting) features in Irish Wish, starring Lindsay Lohan.
See screenwicklow.ie
5. Achill Island, Co Mayo
Achill Island and, to a lesser extent, Inis Mór in neighbouring Co Galway, have been reaping the benefits of the success of the Oscar-winning film, The Banshees of Inisherin, since its release in 2022. Visitors from all over the world have enjoyed touring key locations in the fictional Inisherin, filmed on both islands, and walking in the footsteps of Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and even Jenny, the donkey.
Enjoy the turquoise waters of Keem Bay and St Thomas’ Church in Dugort in Achill or climb Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór to see the spectacular cliffs.
See achilltourism.com, and
galwaytourism.com
Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. /Fáilte Ireland
Curracloe Beach, Co Wexford
A beautiful, clean sandy coastline stretching for miles with strong movie credentials is a must-visit for anyone visiting the sunny southeast this summer. Curracloe Beach entered Irish movie lore all the way back in 1997, courtesy of the spectacular 24-minute D-Day landing filmed here by the legendary Steven Spielberg for Saving Private Ryan.
Involving around 1,500 extras, the spectacular setting of the Ballinesker Beach section of the strand, chosen for its resemblance to Normandy, resulted in an iconic movie opening, which is regarded by many as the greatest battle scene ever on the big screen.
In more recent years, its stunning natural beauty also featured in Brooklyn, the 2015 film adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s deeply affecting novel, where Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) and Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) enjoyed a day at the seaside.
Saoirse Ronan in the hit film Brooklyn. You can visit many of the film locations in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford or the seaside locations at Curracloe Beach.
2. The English Market, Cork
With season five of The Young Offenders currently airing on RTÉ 1, it’s the perfect time to visit or even revisit some of the iconic Leeside locations made famous by Conor and Jock’s escapades.
Filmed primarily in and around the city streets, it’s a great opportunity to shoot your own dance scene, just like the lads in their tracksuits and trainers in Carey’s Lane, or head to the iconic English Market, where Conor’s mother works as a fishmonger. Who can forget Conor’s time working on the stall or the epic chase through the foodie destination on bikes?
The Shakey Bridge (love this name) where the lads enjoyed a dip in the River Lee, and the iconic bench they regularly sit on overlooking Bell’s Field, St Patrick’s Hill, Sunday’s Well and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral all heavily feature in each of the five series to date and are worth checking out on any visit down south.
See discoverireland.ie
Paul and Pat O'Connell on the fish stall in The English Market, Cork city, which regularly featured in The Young Offenders television show. /Clare Keogh
3. Carrickfergus, Co Antrim
Northern Ireland has become a hugely popular location for TV and film in recent years, so much so that tourism authorities have produced a SCENEic map showing a myriad of beautiful locations you’ll be familiar with all over the province.
From the Oscar-nominated Irish Goodbye set in the scenic Sperrin Mountains in Tyrone to the iconic Game of Thronesand Derry Girls, you’re spoilt for choice to capture your own movie moment.
One that caught our eye was Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, the fantasy adventure inspired by a legendary game. Travel to the historic town of Carrickfergus, which inspired the world-famous song, where actors Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez and Regé-Jean Page battled their enemies as they searched for a powerful artefact. Its medieval castle, rich heritage and coastal views provide a fitting backdrop for a movie filled with magic. Carrickfergus also features in historical drama Hunger, thriller comedy Pixie, and drama series Paula.
See discovernorthernireland.com
Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim at night. The historic fortification featured in Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves in 2023. /Tourism NI
Dubbed Europe’s Hollywood by many industry insiders, many parts of Co Wicklow feel very familiar. That’s because they are – the Garden County has played host to hundreds of films and TV series down through the years. Tourist authorities have even mapped out scenic driving routes for visitors to take in locations used in epic films like Braveheart, Michael Collins and Excalibur.
Follow the Wicklow Film Trail to enjoy the diverse landscape from the scenic hills and mountains to the rugged coastline hugging picturesque villages and country houses and gardens to see why it is the base for some of our favourite small screen and big screen favourites.
For example (there are so many), the beautiful Powerscourt Estate, already well worth a visit in its own right, has featured in Netflix hit Wednesday, The Tudors, Barry Lyndon and The Count of Monte Cristo to name a few. You’ll also notice Powerscourt Waterfall in recent productions like Disenchanted, and Vikings. The Sally Gap, high in the Wicklow Mountains, was the backdrop for PS I Love You, Dancing at Lughnasa and Braveheart. And Hollywood village (how fitting) features in Irish Wish, starring Lindsay Lohan.
See screenwicklow.ie
5. Achill Island, Co Mayo
Achill Island and, to a lesser extent, Inis Mór in neighbouring Co Galway, have been reaping the benefits of the success of the Oscar-winning film, The Banshees of Inisherin, since its release in 2022. Visitors from all over the world have enjoyed touring key locations in the fictional Inisherin, filmed on both islands, and walking in the footsteps of Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and even Jenny, the donkey.
Enjoy the turquoise waters of Keem Bay and St Thomas’ Church in Dugort in Achill or climb Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór to see the spectacular cliffs.
See achilltourism.com, and
galwaytourism.com
Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. /Fáilte Ireland
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