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

 

New Podcast Exploring Wicklow’s Military Road

Wicklow County Council is pleased to announce the release of a new four-part podcast series that explores the history of the Wicklow Mountains through the iconic Military Road. This road was originally constructed by British forces in the aftermath of the 1798 rebellion to quell the Wicklow rebels and bring the so-called "bandit country" under control. Today, the Wicklow Military Road winds through one of the most remote and picturesque landscapes in Ireland.

Curated by Fin Dwyer from the popular Irish History Podcast, in collaboration with the Wicklow County Council Heritage Office, each episode features engaging conversations with local residents, historians, and experts. These discussions bring to life the road’s storied past as well as the rich environmental and cultural heritage of the communities it traverses. Contributors include historian Frank Treacy, who shares the story of a unique military cemetery hidden in the mountains; Professor Graeme Warren, who offers insights into the early human history of the region and Robbie Carter, who recounts his experiences working deep underground in the lead mines at Glendasan. Additionally, Carmel O’Toole, a historian and resident of Glenmalure, provides a personal perspective on the area's rich cultural heritage.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Paul O’Brien, commented, “Whether you are a Wicklow resident or visitor, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the Wicklow landscape, this podcast series will be of interest to you. I am pleased that this project is being released to coincide with the bicentennial of the death of Michael Dwyer in Australia in 1825, as he was one of the motivations behind the construction of this Military Road in the first place.”

Emer O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, welcomed the series, stating, “Podcasts are a wonderful way to make the history and heritage of County Wicklow accessible to new and wider audiences. The Irish History Podcast attracts tens of thousands of listeners, providing an important platform for promoting County Wicklow.”

 

The series, produced in association with Wicklow County Council and the Heritage Council as part of the County Wicklow Heritage Plan, is available for free listening on the Irish History Podcast at Breaking Ireland's Bandit Country: The Wicklow Military Road

You can also subscribe to the podcast in your podcast app to ensure you receive each episode as it is released throughout the month of May.

Additionally, the Arklow Municipal District is coordinating a two-day event in Glenmalure to mark the bicentennial of Michael Dwyer’s death on August 23, 1825. These events, part of Heritage Week will include a one-day seminar on Saturday 23rd August  and a bus tour of sites associated with Michael Dwyer on Sunday 24th August.

More information can be found at Michael Dwyer 200 Registration on Eventbrite - Michael Dwyer 200 Registration

 

IMAGE 1: Fin Dwyer with panel at Stories of the Military Road Heritage Week event. Photo credit Mick Kelly.

IMAGE 2: Stories of the Military Road event for Heritage Week 2024. Photo credit Mick Kelly.

IMAGE 3: Military Road. Photo credit Deirdre Burns.

 

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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