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

 

Wicklow County Council welcomes the announcement of €3 million in funding for a new library at Ballywaltrim in Bray

Thursday, 25th April 2024

Wicklow County Council has welcomed the announcement from Minister Heather Humphries yesterday with the confirmation that a maximum grant of €3 million euro has been allocated for a new library at Ballywaltrim. This substantial investment will mean the existing Ballywaltrim Library will almost quadruple in size and provide a modern public library space for the community.

In response to the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Aoife Flynn Kennedy was enthusiastic at the prospect of this opportunity for Bray and its environs, “This extended accessibility will be a game changer, and ensure that every member of our community can enjoy and use the library's facilities at times that suit their busy schedules. We are proud to provide a space that not only meets modern standards, but also adapts to the evolving needs of our residents, fostering a culture of learning and engagement across all ages."

The anticipated cost of the entire project could run to €8m, speaking following the announcement yesterday, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman said "I am delighted with this announcement; the expected investment altogether of €8 million will result in a state of the art public library for Bray. This isn't just a building; it's an amenity that will serve as a centre for community life, ensuring we have a place where residents of all ages can gather, interact and inspire one another.”

Proposals for the major €3 million revamp of Ballywaltrim Library were given the green light back in February 2022 and are included among the capital projects contained within Wicklow County Library Service Development Plan 2021 to 2025.

Speaking on the funding news, Director of Services, Breege Kilkenny said “This new library will feature a cutting-edge design that maximises natural light, creating a welcoming and energising space for our users. It will also be a near-zero energy building and the site has sufficient space to allow for the inclusion of a sensory garden.”

Other ideas considered at the time included extending Bray Carnegie Library on Eglinton Road, however due to its historical significance and location with the prospect of losing the garden, it was agreed that the site at Ballywaltrim presented a better opportunity for development.

Like all Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) funded libraries, the new Ballywaltrim Library will be a My Open Library whereby the public will have access from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Construction of the new Ballywaltrim Library is expected to span approximately 18 months. During this period, the current library will relocate but continue to serve the community with minimal interruption. Further details on the construction will follow in due course.

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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