The intoxicating mix of dramatic landscapes, stunning seascapes, ancient places and historic locations has made the entire island a favourite among directors and movie makers. Here are ten great movies that feature the ultimate green screen.
1. Star Wars
The raw, elemental beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way was the perfect setting for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, transporting viewers to a galaxy far, far away. Memorable shots include the dramatic reappearance of Luke Skywalker on the equally dramatic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skellig Michael.
2. Braveheart
The shoot locations for the historical epic Braveheart included the famous Curragh in Kildare, 5,000 acres of ancient lowland. Key scenes were also filmed at the Norman stronghold of Trim Castle and in the atmospheric ruins of thirteenth-century Bective Abbey, both in County Meath.
3. Harry Potter
The magical world of Harry Potter demanded a magical setting and the imposing Cliffs of Moher provided one for dramatic scenes in movie six. One of Ireland’s top attractions, County Clare’s sheer cliffs rise 214m above the wild Atlantic waves.
4. Ella Enchanted
The 2004 reimagining of Cinderella, this movie was shot extensively at stunning Powerscourt Estate, County Wicklow, both in the magnificent Palladian mansion and in the beautiful gardens, which have been named among the top 10 in the world.
5. Artemis Fowl
Filmed around Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast, this 2020 Disney movie used dramatic Dunluce Castle – a sixteenth-century ruin which sits atop a cliff – and gorgeous White Rocks Beach, Portrush, among the sensational backdrops for the story.