For international production, Ireland is a world-class location. It’s a key centre for film, television, and animation production due to its highly experienced crew base and well-established studios, as well as its breath-taking landscape and competitive tax credit.

“Ireland has become a capital of filmmaking, establishing itself as one of the world’s most attractive production environments.”

Variety Magazine

Wicklow has a long history of collaborating with production companies. The County continues to serve as the setting for a number of films and television series.

Screen Wicklow is a one-stop-shop for all your production needs. We offer full assistance to film and television projects based in the County.

Our dedicated online resource portal is a comprehensive guide to filming in the Garden County. Scroll down further to access additional resources, links and support information.

Why Wicklow

Wicklow, called "Europe's Hollywood" by Jane Seymour, is home to a slew of well-known film and television locations, from Michael Collins (1996, featuring a crucial scene in Rathdrum Square) to Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) and Camelot (2001). Killruddery House and Gardens (The Tudors, Camelot, Far and Away, and My Left Foot, among others) and Powerscourt are two of the best big house movie locations.

“We are really fortunate to be filming in Wicklow for a lot of reasons, the most notable of which being the range of landscapes available in close proximity to the studios. It is a very accommodating world.”

Michael Hurst, Creator of Vikings

Shot in Wicklow

Wicklow is the backdrop for Netflix’s number one show - Vikings: Valhalla.

Cocaine Bear, Elizabeth Banks’ dark comedy, was filmed in Wicklow. During the summer 2021, Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams visited the County while filming in Greystones and Enniskerry for the upcoming Disney sequel Disenchanted.

Netflix’s teen fantasy drama Fate: The Winx Saga, which will return for its second season to the streaming platform along with screen adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s 2016 novel The Wonder – a psychological thriller set in a small Irish village seven years after the Great Famine ended were shot in County Wicklow recently.

Find out more about recent productions filmed in County Wicklow here.

Why County Wicklow is a fantastic location for filming…

  • The untamed Wicklow Mountains and rugged coastline, secluded cottages and urban streetscapes, stately country homes and modern architecture all combine to provide a spectacular range of variety of locations to choose from.
  • Locations in County Wicklow have seamlessly doubled as many international locations such Scandinavian settlements in Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla (Michael Hirst), gothic Victorian streets in Penny Dreadful (John Logan) and The Man Who Invented Christmas (Bharat Nalluri).
  • Wicklow is home to world-class film studios, including Ardmore Studios and Ashford Studios.
  • Local crew with worldwide recognition and experience.
  • Film, television, and animation are eligible for a tax credit.
  • You have access to a wide range of pre- and post-production services.
  • Dublin City, Dublin Airport, and Dublin Port are all within easy reach (less than 20 kilometres).
  • Wicklow County Council is devoted to welcoming, assisting, and supporting you.

Screen Wicklow launches 5-year film strategy

County Wicklow Screen Sector Development Strategy 2022 – 2026 sets out the recommendations for the county’s objectives and actions supporting the growth of its local film and television production cluster over the next five years. Download the strategy report (2MB, pdf).

Latest News

 

Local History Talks Programme at Wicklow Town Library Launched By The Library Service

Wicklow County Council Local Studies Service has launched its annual Local History Talks Programme with a series of engaging events taking place which will explore the rich history of County Wicklow. Designed for history enthusiasts, local residents and visitors alike, the programme will feature a range of talks and presentations on the stories of the people and places and events that shaped the county.

Each month, one of Wicklow’s most respected historians will visit Wicklow Town library branch to present a talk on an aspect of the county’s heritage. The first event takes place on Thursday 24th October at 7pm with historian John Goodman’s talk ‘Wicklow People in WW2’, which explores the experiences of Wicklow men and women, the casualties and the survivors of the conflict.  

Admission is free, however seating is limited. Places can be reserved by emailing Wicklowlocalstudies@wicklowcoco.ie or contacting 0404 67025.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien said:  "These local history talks are a great way for community members to engage with our shared history. Our region is rich in stories that deserve to be told and heard. By bringing people together to learn about the past, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for our heritage and a stronger sense of community."

For those interested in researching their family tree, Wicklow County Council Library Service offers free access to valuable online genealogical resources, helping individuals explore historical records and newspapers without the need for costly subscriptions.

Findmypast, the world's most comprehensive Irish family history website, provides online access to birth, marriage, and death records, census data, military records, prison records and much more from Ireland, the UK, USA and beyond. 

The British Newspaper Archive provides online access to thousands of newspaper titles from the British Library's collections with strong coverage of many historic Irish newspapers including the Wicklow News-letter, the Wicklow People and the Bray People. These digitized newspapers provide a window into the lives of everyday people, historical events, and cultural changes, offering invaluable insights for genealogical research.  Access to both of these resources is available for free from any Wicklow Library Service branch.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman stated: “The library creates wonderful opportunities for people to connect and explore their local history in a friendly and relaxed environment. By granting free access to Findmypast and the British Newspaper Archive, individuals can now uncover rich, personal stories that connect them with their ancestors and bring history to life. These online resources offer a unique opportunity for genealogy enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone curious about their family’s past to dive deep into their heritage.

For more information about upcoming talks, visit the Wicklow Town Library branch events page on www.wicklow.ie, or follow the Wicklow Libraries team on social media.

 

Please login or register to post comments.

Screen Wicklow is ready to help you with your film production as much as possible around the County. Need help? Please get in touch with us by phone or email:

Screen Wicklow
Wicklow County Campus
Clermont House
Rathnew
Co. Wicklow
A67 X566

Phone: (0404) 30800
Email: screenwicklow@wicklowcoco.ie
Main contact: John Powderly