Ireland’s Most Filmed Counties Ranked: Where Hollywood Loves to Shoot
Ireland has long been a favourite of Hollywood directors wanting to create the next big Oscar-nominated hit and binge-worthy series.
Some of the biggest movies and TV shows ever to hit the screens have been filmed in Ireland, from the Kneecap Movie and Banshees of Inisherin, to Father Ted and Normal People. With Virgin Media’s Broadband and TV packages, you’ll have a whole host of Irish favourites to choose from.
With rugged coastline and scenic views, it’s not hard to imagine why the Emerald Isle has a long history of making it on the big screen.
But what are Ireland’s filming hotspots?
To find out, our team analysed the top 250 best ranked Movies and TV shows based and filmed in Ireland according to IMDB to determine which counties is home to our favourite shows and movies.
Coming out on top as Ireland’s top filming hotspot is Dublin with 104 films and TV shows choosing it as their backdrop. From the charming, cobbled streets of Temple Bar to Trinity College Dublin, where Marianne and Connell's complicated relationship unfolds in Normal People to the back alleys and housing estates where Nidge and his cronies built their empire in Love Hate, Dublin’s mix of old and new makes it an ideal filming location.
County Wicklow is next in the rankings with 40 films and TV shows filmed in ‘The Garden of Ireland.’ With its lush green forests and historic castles make it an ideal setting for rom coms like The Irish Wish starring Lindsay Lohan, as well as gripping psychological thrillers like The Wonder.
Home to the likes of Young Offenders and fellow Cork-native Cillian Murphy’s feature in The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Cork placed third in the county rankings with the most movies and TV shows filmed.
Joining Cork in the top 5 were Galway and Donegal. With both counties known for its iconic Atlantic coastline, Galway placed fourth in the rankings with Irish favourites such as Brendan Gleeson’s The Guard filmed in the likes of Barna, Connemara and Salthill, and his collaboration with Colin Farrell for their Oscar-nominated Banshees of Inisherin, with large parts filmed on the island of Inishmore.
Donegal continues the trend of making the case for the Wild Atlantic Way as it places fifth in the county rankings. Famously known for having scenes of Star Wars: The last Jedi filmed at Ireland’s most northernly point, Malin Head, County Donegal is no stranger to Hollywood with Liam Neeson more recently pitching up to film his latest Netflix hit, In the land of Saints and Sinners.
Making our way further into the top ten at six is County Kildare. Famously known for its feature in Braveheart with the East Kildare Village of Ballymore Eustace, Kildare isn’t camera shy. Brendan Gleeson first came to prominence on Irish screens through his portrayal of Michael Collins in the 1991 drama The Treaty, filmed largely in County Kildare.
Counties Kerry, Clare, Kilkenny and Offaly all round out the top 10.
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Methodology
We analysed 250 films and TV shows filmed in Ireland, using IMDb data to identify and compile the primary filming locations for each production, revealing the top filming hotspots across the country.
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