Ireland on the small screen: Must-visit TV filming locations , featuring Derry Girls, Game Of Thrones, Bad Sisters & more

Bad Sisters - Dublin

The Garveys do most of their scheming against the backdrop of the affluent Dublin coast. Fans can channel their inner Becka (Eve Hewson) and stroll along the charming Malahide Marina, or grab a pint at Gibney’s Pub, renowned for serving one of the city’s best Guinness. Across the capital, the siblings frequently take a dip at the Forty Foot, a popular swimming spot on the southern tip of Dublin Bay. They’re great calls for a sunny day out – just don’t let anyone overhear your plot to murder your brother-in-law.

Bad Sisters.

Bodkin - Cork

This Netflix series follows a group of podcasters who travel to the fictional town of Bodkin to investigate the disappearance of three strangers. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they tap into a strange and unsettling story. Filmed primarily in Union Hall in Glandore Harbour at the bottom of Co. Cork, visitors are unlikely to make any harrowing discoveries, but will instead find a charming fishing village and a great place to book a whale/dolphin watching trip.

Bodkin. (L to R) Will Forte as Gilbert Power, Siobhán Cullen as Dove, Robyn Cara as Emmy Sizergh in episode 102 of Bodkin. Cr. Enda Bowe/Netflix © 2024

Vikings - Wicklow

The battle of Clontarf in 1014 signalled the beginning of the end of the Vikings in Ireland, until they pillaged their way back onto our shores and TV screens in the early 2010s. Much of the filming for Vikings, as well as Netflix follow-up Vikings: Valhalla, was done in the Garden County, Wicklow. Some stunning natural landmarks seen in the series include Lough Tay (or the Guinness Lake), Luggala Estate, Powerscourt Waterfall, Blessington Lakes and Glendalough.

Vikings.

Game Of Thrones - Antrim/Down/Derry

Look no further than the North of Ireland for your real-life slice of Westeros. Filming for this international sensation based on George R. R. Martin’s books happened across the six counties. There are too many places to list them all, but some notable ones include the Dark Hedges in Co. Antrim (King’s Road), Castle Ward in Co. Down (Winterfell) and Downhill Strand in Co. Derry (Dragonstone Island). There’s also a super in-depth GOT studio tour in Banbridge, where you can check out screen-used costumes, weapons, props and authentic film sets.

The Dark Hedges in Co. Antrim

Obituary - Donegal

It seems Irish coastal towns make great settings for murder mysteries. Such is the case in this 2023 show, in which Siobhán Cullen portrays Elvira – an obsessive obituarist who starts killing people so she has more interesting deaths to write about. The fictional town of Kilraven is mainly depicted by Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, where there’s plenty going on in real life that doesn’t involve topping locals. It’s the birthplace of guitar legend Rory Gallgher for one, with the town hosting a festival in his honour each year.

Obituary.

Derry Girls - Belfast/Derry

Slightly deceivingly, a lot of the filming for this hilarious hit show took place down the M2 in Belfast. Still, the series has left a mark on its eponymous city. Appropriately, you’ll find a mural of Erin, Michelle, Orla, Clare and James on the side of Badger’s Bar on Orchard Street. Elsewhere, there’s the Derry Girls Experience at the Tower Museum, as well as walking tours for fans to immerse themselves.

l-r: Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle Mallon (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Orla McCool (Louisa Clare Harland), Erin Quinn (Saoirse Monica Jackson)

Smother - Lahinch/Clare

Featuring Dervla Kirwan as Val, a determined mother intent on protecting her family following the death of her husband, Smother was mainly filmed in and around Lahinch. It’s a tourist hotspot located on the beautiful and rugged Clare coast, and is perhaps best known as a haven for watersports, attracting everyone from beginners to seasoned pros as one of western Europe’s leading ‘surf centres’.

Hazel Doupe as Ingrid in Smother.

Blackshore - Clare/Tipperary

In this chilling RTÉ crime drama series, Dublin-based detective Fia is sent back out west, close to her hometown, to investigate the disappearance of a woman – a case that turns out to be linked to her traumatic past. We promise that a visit to filming locations Killaloe, Co. Clare and Ballina, Tipperary, will elicit much happier feelings. These twin towns are located across the River Shannon from each other, on the shore of Lough Derg. The area boasts a mix of historic landmarks (like St. Flannan’s Cathedral), natural beauty, and water activities.

Blackshore.

Small Town, Big Story -Roscommon

Chris O’Dowd’s whimsical comedy, set in the fictional Northern Irish town of Drumbán, follows Hollywood producer Wendy Patterson’s return to make a major film. Her presence unveils a long-hidden secret: the town’s relationship with extraterrestrials. In Boyle, Co. Roscommon, the only thing that’s out of this world is the stunning breadth of natural beauty, including the Curlew Mountains, Lough Key and Lough Gara. There are also some historical and archaeological sites to explore, including King House and Boyle Abbey.

Small Town, Big Story.

The new edition of Best Of Ireland is available to pre-order now – also featuring Vogue Williams, Evanne Kilgallon, Niall Quinn, Andrea Mara, Robert Grace, Demi Isaac and more...