Ireland's most popular filming locations revealed

New data has revealed Ireland’s most popular locations that have famously featured onscreen.

As one of the most strikingly beautiful countries in the world, it’s no surprise that Ireland is such a popular spot for filming productions – from local Irish cinema to Hollywood blockbusters.  

In fact, Ireland’s film sector has boomed exponentially in the last decade, producing various critically acclaimed films, television series and 15 Academy Award nominations in the past two years alone. According to Screen Ireland, the total production spend in the Irish economy reached a record high of €500 million in 2021, despite challenges facing the industry due to the pandemic.  

With that in mind, sports betting and casino site, Tonybet, decided to investigate which of 20 Irish filming locations are the most popular according to Instagram and Google search data. 

The study looked at the average number of monthly searches for various terms relating to each location, and the location with its most famous onscreen appearance, such as Skellig Michael Star Wars.

This was combined with the number of Instagram posts featured under the location’s respective hashtag, and an equal weighting was applied to both criteria to create a total index score out of 100.  

Coming out on top were the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare, with an index score of 100 out of 100 - revealing it the most popular according to both Instagram and Google searches.

The scenic spot appearing in beloved classics such as The Princess Bride (1987) and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009). 

In second place were the Wicklow Mountains, with an index core of 73.24 out of 100. They’ve commonly featured on screen, and can be spotted in P.S. I Love You (2007), Braveheart (1995) and the TV show Vikings. 

Ranking third was Achill Island, which received an index score of 69.01 out of 100. It recently provided the setting to 2022 film The Banshees of Inisherin – which went onto become a critical hit and receive nine Oscar nominations. 

Powerscourt followed in fourth with an index score of 68.26 out of 100. Located in County Wicklow, it is best known for providing the interior for several scenes in Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon (1975) and has lately appeared in films such as Cocaine Bear (2023) and Irish Wish (2024). 

Rounding out the top five was Ashford Castle, receiving an index score of 67.43 out of 100. While it serves more contemporary purpose now, it has provided the historic setting on films such as The Quiet Man (1952) and television period drama Reign.

In sixth place was Skellig Michael, with an index core of 60.92 out of 100.  Star Wars films The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017) catapulted the island to prominence after it featured as Luke Skywalker's sanctuary planet.  

Malin Head ranked in seventh with an index score of 53.95 out of 100. It painted an unforgettable picture for Star Wars moviegoers after its inclusion in The Last Jedi (2017). As a place steeped in folklore, it was also the perfect backdrop for The Northman (2022) and its depiction of Norse mythology. 

Following in eighth was Lough Tay, receiving an index score of 53.02 out of 100. The lough, also known by the name of Guiness Lake, is situated in County Mayo and provides one of Ireland’s most breathtaking views, despite its small scale of just 0.5km². Its most famous onscreen appearances include films such as Braveheart (1995), Excalibur