Binge Worthy Movies and TV Series Showcasing the Island of Ireland

The island of Ireland’s seaside towns, city sites, dramatic sea cliffs, fairy-tale scenery and wild natural landscapes have played a starring role in many top TV series and films recently. Here are six binge-worthy series and films that will transport you to the Emerald Isle. 

Bad Sisters
Dublin’s seaside towns and local hotspots including Malahide, Skerries and the iconic Forty Foot bathing spot in Sandycove take the spotlight in this critically acclaimed dark comedy series on Apple TV+. Malahide is known for its Georgian architecture, marina, beach and local cafes and pubs, whilst Skerries is home to two beaches, windmills, and endless water activities. The Forty Foot plays an integral role in the series, where the four sisters meet to plot murder and the traditional Christmas morning swim is also played out on screen. 
Available to watch on Apple TV+.

Niall Horan's Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar
Go on a road trip around the island of Ireland this Winter with two globally recognised musicians. Follow Niall Horan as he journeys across his home country, sharing his fond memories of growing up in Ireland with his best friend, Lewis Capaldi. Explore Belfast sites and then stop off to meet world class guitar maker George Lowden, journey to the picturesque town of Carlingford on the Cooley Peninsula, enjoy panoramic views of Dublin city at the Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse, and sing along to Niall’s intimate performance in his local Clarke’s Bar in his hometown Mullingar.
Available to watch on Prime Video.

The Banshees of Inisherin
Ireland’s rugged west stars in The Banshees of Inisherin, providing a dramatic setting for the darkly comedic story. Filming took place on Achill Island and Inis Mór on the Wild Atlantic Way where vast seascapes and rolling green fields heightened the drama of the story. Achill Island in County Mayo is a landscape of rugged beauty with the highest sea cliffs in Ireland and five Blue Flag beaches. These include gorgeous Keem Bay which was named the best wild swimming spot in the UK and Ireland this year. Most of the action was shot on idyllic Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands located off the coast of Galway and home to Dún Aonghasa, an ancient stone fort perched on the cliff-edge. "This is an extraordinarily harsh place with all this bare limestone rock but there's a softness about it and it's the most extraordinary thing," says Brendan Gleeson.
Streaming on Disney+ from 21 December.

Disenchanted
The Disney+ film showcases fairy-tale scenery in County Wicklow and the picturesque Enniskerry village, representing the New England-style Monroeville in upstate New York and was transformed into the fairy-tale land of Monrolasia. One of Ireland’s loveliest and most popular villages, Enniskerry is regarded as the gateway to County Wicklow, known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’. The surrounding Wicklow Mountains National Park is peppered with forests, lakes and streams, as well as a host of megalithic tombs, standing stones, rock art and ceremonial circles. In this part of Ireland’s Ancient East, walking or hiking the self-guided Wicklow Way is one of the best ways to experience the endless natural beauty and captivating history, including the monastic settlement of Glendalough and the majestic Powerscourt Waterfall.
Available to watch on Disney+.

The Wonder
Delight in the hues of Ireland captured in a new Netflix film. Set in the midlands of Ireland 13 years after the Great Famine, follow the story of nurse Lib Wright (Florence Pugh) who is recruited by a devout community to conduct an examination an 11-year-old girl who claims not to have eaten for four months, surviving miraculously on “manna from heaven”. As the girl’s health rapidly deteriorates, Lib is determined to unearth the truth, challenging the faith of a community that would prefer to stay believing. Stunning wild natural Irish landscapes in County Wicklow were the perfect setting for the atmospheric scenes and cinematographer Ari Wegner portrayed the wonderful colours of Ireland including greens, rich browns, and purple-y heathers. Filming took place in the Glenasmole Valley on the Old Millitary Road, showcasing the beautiful area of heather hills, bog and heathland, and roadside viewing points above Glenasmole provide spectacular panoramic views of Dublin City and Dublin Bay.  
Available to watch on Netflix.

Derry Girls
Full of laugh out loud moments, nostalgia and Northern Irish ‘craic’, Derry Girls is a must-watch. Set in the city of Derry~Londonderry in the 1990s, the hilarious exploits of a group of teenagers and their family and friends is light-hearted comedy at its best. The Derry Girls’ home city is vibrant, famous for its nightlife, fun, music and creativity. Key locations in the series include The Walls, Bishop’s Gate, The Guildhall and the Derry Girls mural, created by local graffiti artists UV Arts where you can capture a selfie with the Derry Girls!
Available to watch on Netflix.

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