Top 5 filming locations in Ireland you should visit on your next trip: Harry Potter, Braveheart, The Princess Bride, and more.
Top 5 Filming Locations To Visit In Ireland
Harry Potter – Cliffs of Moher
Anyone who visits Ireland should not miss seeing the Cliffs of Moher in person. They are a stunning sight to behold, but they are also the location for one of the most iconic Harry Potter film scenes. When Harry and Dumbledore stand on a rocky mass, looking onto a cliff, that cliff is actually the Cliffs of Moher. It is here that Dumbledore says, “the place to which we journey tonight is extremely dangerous… Should I tell you to hide, you hide. Should I tell you to run, you run. Should I tell you to abandon me and save yourself, you must do so. Your word, Harry.”
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most popular natural attractions and many movies feature the Cliffs of Moher.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban synopsis: Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on murdering the teenage wizard. While Hermione’s (Emma Watson) cat torments Ron’s (Rupert Grint) sickly rat, causing a rift among the trio, a swarm of nasty Dementors is sent to protect the school from Black. A mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?
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The Princess Bride – Cliffs of Moher
Fans of The Princess Bride likely recognize these cliffs as a part of one of the most popular scenes as well. When the princess is being carried up the side of a massive cliff front on the back of Andre the Giant, that all takes place at Ireland’s Cliff of Moher, not the Cliffs of Insanity.
Famous The Princess Bride quotes that where spoken here are, “inconceivable,” and “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
The Princess Bride synopsis: A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel “The Princess Bride” which earned its own loyal audience.
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Braveheart – Many Irish Castles
Braveheart might be a film that takes place in Scotland, but much of it was actually filmed in Ireland. Many Irish Castles were featured in the movie. Dunsoghly Castle in Dublin was portrayed as Edinburgh Castle, where Wallace was brought to when he was captured.
Braveheart synopsis: William Wallace is the medieval Scottish patriot who is spurred into revolt against the English when the love of his life is slaughtered. Leading his army into battles that become a war, his advance into England threatens King Edward I’s throne before he is captured and executed, but not before becoming a symbol for a free Scotland.
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The Tudors – Dublin Castle
The Tudors has several locations around Dublin, Ireland, but the most popular is the Dublin Castle. The best part? You can easily access several other locations, making for the perfect day trip for fans of the series. Other locations to visit include Christchurch Cathedral, Swords Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, and Phoenix Park.
The Tudors synopsis: This Showtime drama focuses on the early years of King Henry VIII’s nearly 40-year reign (1509-1547) of England. The series looks at Henry’s famous female companions like Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn and delves into his relationships with important figures like Sir Thomas More, Cardinal Wolsey (head of the Catholic Church of England during its break with Rome) and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, who was Henry’s best friend and unofficial adviser.
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Saving Private Ryan – Curracloe Beach
Curracloe Beach was the shooting location for the opening D-Day landing scenes in Saving Private Ryan. It is on the east coast of County Wexford, five miles north of Wexford Town.
Saving Private Ryan synopsis: Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Surrounded by the brutal realties of war, while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey and discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.