Star Wars - Skellig Michael
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION-IRELAND!
When it comes to films and television shows, the stunning, beautiful scenery of Ireland has always been a marquee attraction, often overshadowing the actors themselves! From classic films like The Quiet Man and Ryan’s Daughter to recent gems like Game of Thrones, Ireland itself is an indisputable screen idol.
As National Geographic recently noted, “The Irish coast’s ancient forts, Gaelic legends, and starkly beautiful landscapes provide the magic for many movies, from Star Wars to The Banshees of Inisherin.”
The Banshees of Inisherin
Indeed, Banshees is a perfect case in point. Nominated for nine Oscars in this year’s Academy Awards show on March 12, it was filmed on two islands off Ireland’s western shores - Inishmore off of County Galway and Achill Island off the coast of Mayo. The dramatic scenery in the film captures Ireland’s majestic beauty, from the roaring ocean and flocks of seabirds in the distance to the silent fields bedecked with hundreds of stone walls weaving across the landscape. Archeological ruins, sharp edged cliffs, small villages, local pubs and the occasional donkey round out the film’s magical cinematography.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Both Inishmore and Achill Island are part of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,500 mile coastal route stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork. Considered the longest defined coastal touring route in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way offers a panorama of activities, from nature walks and heritage sites to surfing, diving and kayaking. There’s plenty of cultural and culinary offerings too.
A second film garnering attention from film critics is An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), the first Irish-language film nominated for an Oscar for the coveted Best International Film. Filmed in Counties Meath and Dublin, the film is a quiet meditation on rural country life in Ireland and beautifully captures the nuances of farm life and small towns. The Irish language dimension of the film captures the essence of Ireland and its longstanding traditions of culture and heritage.
An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl)
Meath is part of Ireland’s Ancient East, a tranquil and beautiful land of rolling green hills, charming towns and quiet waters, all framed by the River Shannon and the Irish Sea. Spanning 17 counties on the eastern coast, Ireland’s Ancient East captures 5,000 years of history, where Vikings once roamed and where mythical places like the Hill of Tara and Newgrange recall the legendary Celts.
Wherever you go in Ireland, you’ll be swept away by the majestic seascapes and landscapes, the iconic heritage and cultural sites, the stunning vistas and the serene byways. Cinematographers have long cherished Ireland for these physical, spiritual and visual qualities, and visitors also get to enjoy them, any time of year.
Click here for more Ireland trip ideas.
ireland.com