Destination Ireland: In The Movies

The Giant’s Causeway and Antrim coast are an obvious choice for filmmakers, and over the last decade it has become increasingly popular.

Guillermo Del Toro filmed much of Hellboy here, and of course HBO has based much of its production of Game of Thrones not just here but all over Northern Ireland from Ballintoy Harbour to Castle Ward. Popular bus tours from Belfast are available to take fans to every corner of the province in search of dragons, direwolves and white walkers.

One of the biggest films of the last decade caused something of a frenzy in County Kerry when the tiny island of Skellig Michael became the location for key scenes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Since then fans have flocked from all over the world, and there are a number of boat trips that tour the island and beyond. On a good day the beauty of the island coupled with its cultural significance are well worth the trip.

The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are one of Ireland’s most popular natural attractions and don’t need an excuse to visit, but the chance to walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter might be enough to entice young visitors to tag along while the adults admire the views. Fans of the Princess Bride may know the cliffs by another name, but whether The Cliffs of Insanity or Moher, every visitor can agree that the views are some of the most spectacular in Ireland.