Can't get away for Valentine's? Don't fret! Ireland has you covered with these romantic movies either set or shot on the island…
It's no secret that the island of Ireland has starred in many a great romantic movie.
No stranger to viewers is Northern Ireland that is awash with locations from Game of Thrones®. While Castle Ward in County Down and the magnificent Benone Strand in County Londonderry are well known, others such as the Tollymore Forest Park and Inch Abbey in County Down are more under the radar. County Antrim's Dark Hedges, which featured as the iconic King's Road in the HBO drama, is a popular spot for proposals and so are Binevenagh Mountain in County Londonderry, or the quaint harbour outside the village of Ballintoy in County Antrim which doubled as Lordsport Harbour in Game of Thrones®.
Then there's Ireland's famous Wild Atlantic Way which plays regular supporting roles in movies. The Cliffs of Moher stood for the Cliffs of Insanity in the popular movie The Princess Bride, while the Oscar-winning romance Ryan's Daughter was shot on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry.
The West of Ireland has been a favourite haunt of movie makers as far back as 1952 when The Quiet Man introduced the world to the spectacular landscape of Connemara.
More recently the 2020 film Wild Mountain Thyme was shot in the County Mayo village of Crossmolina and the town of Ballina. The exquisite scenery of patchwork fields nestled under Mayo's Nephin Mountains is integral to the story of the couple's romance and their connection to the land.
Ireland's Ancient East is also a favourite spot for film makers and most recently provided the fairy-tale background for the Disney movie Disenchanted. The heart-warming story tells how the lovable maiden from the fairy-tale world of Andalasia finally finds her Prince Charming in the kingdom of New York City.
In romcom PS I Love You, the spectacular scenery of the Wicklow Mountains National Park is the setting for the first meeting of the lovers. It really is difficult not to fall in love when in Ireland's largest national park that stretches over 23,000 hectares of wooded valleys, heathered hills and shimmering lakes.
Love Rosie, based on Irish author Cecilia Ahern's best-selling book, features a variety of County Wicklow locations including Powerscourt House and Gardens, the seaside resort of Bray and the beautiful village of Howth in Dublin Bay.
Meanwhile, the stunning golden expanse of Curracloe Beach in County Wexford makes a memorable setting for a key scene in the movie Brooklyn, which also features the village of Enniscorthy.
Many have said 'I do' at the stately Castle Coole in County Fermanagh. This glorious National Trust property is widely recognised as one of Ireland's finest neo-classical houses. The period drama Miss Julie, starring Jessica Chastain and Colin Farrell, was filmed here.
Last, but not least, Dublin makes many appearances on-screen, too. As the setting for the critically acclaimed romantic musical drama Once, many of the city's most popular spots play cameo roles including Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green and the elegant Georgian Mountjoy Square East.
For more movies filmed or set in Ireland, visit www.ireland.com.
