Ireland's most popular filming locations revealed - Co Clare beauty spot crowned top 

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, such as "Cliffs of Moher," "Visit Achill Island," "Ashford Castle Ireland," 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.

Cliffs of Moher

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

The Cliffs of Moher attracted 724,000 Instagram posts and generated a monthly average of 190,740 Google searches globally. 

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs in Co Clare which run for 14km along the southwestern coast of the Burren region. The vast and rugged landscape is emblematic of Ireland’s natural beauty and will be recognizable for many movie fans, with the scenic spot appearing in beloved classics such as "The Princess Bride" (1987) and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (2009). 

Wicklow Mountains

In second place were the Wicklow Mountains, with an index score of 73.24 out of 100.

The mountain range ranked second in Instagram popularity with 213,000 posts and produced an average of 27,413 monthly searches worldwide. 

The Wicklow Mountains occupy much of central Co Wicklow and stretch into bordering Co Dublin and Co Wexford, creating one of the most spectacular views in Ireland.

They’ve commonly featured on screen, and can be spotted in "P.S. I Love You" (2007), "Braveheart" (1995), and the TV show "Vikings." 

Achill Island

Ranking third was Achill Island, which received an index score of 69.01 out of 100. This corresponded to 66,900 Instagram posts and a global average of 47,158 Google searches per month. 

Achill Island is the largest of Ireland’s isles and is situated off the shore of Co Mayo on the country’s west coast.

The picturesque area is home to tranquil beaches and a distinct coastline that recently provided the setting to the 2022 film "The Banshees of Inisherin," which went onto become a critical hit and receive nine Oscar nominations. 

Powerscourt

Powerscourt followed in fourth with an index score of 68.26 out of 100.

The historic county estate recorded 71,500 Instagram posts in total, and a Google search average of 40,865 per month worldwide. 

Located in Co Wicklow, Powerscourt Estate is notable for its landscaped gardens spanning 19 hectares and the sprawling white mansion overlooking the grounds.

The estate is perhaps 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). 

Ashford Castle

Rounding out the top five was Ashford Castle, receiving an index score of 67.43 out of 100, with 42,600 Instagram posts and an average monthly search count of 58,736 searches globally. 

The medieval fortress sits near Cong on the County Mayo-Galway border and has operated as a hotel since the mid-20th century.

While it serves a more contemporary purpose now, it has provided the historic setting on films such as "The Quiet Man" (1952) and the television period drama "Reign."

Skellig Michael

In sixth place was Skellig Michael, with an index core of 60.92 out of 100. The twin-pinnacled crag appeared in 36,000 posts and produced an average of 32,708 monthly searches worldwide. 

Also known as Great Skellig, the rocky terrain is one of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland – and while the slopes are notoriously difficult to navigate, that hasn’t stopped film crews from capturing its unique beauty. 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

Malin Head ranked in seventh with an index score of 53.95 out of 100.

The coastline recorded 34,500 Instagram posts in total, and a Google search average of 15,464 per month worldwide. 

The head is mainland Ireland’s most northerly point, and its dramatic vista 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. 

Lough Tay

Following in eighth was Lough Tay, receiving an index score of 53.02 out of 100, with 18,400 Instagram posts and an average monthly search count of 24,220 searches globally. 

The lough, also known by the name of Guinness Lake, is situated in Co Wicklow 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" (1981), and TV series "Vikings."

Trim Castle

Taking the ninth spot was Trim Castle, which received an index score of 52.29 out of 100. This was based on 23,500 Instagram posts and a global average of 17,995 Google searches per month. 

The ancient fortress is based along the south bank of the River Boyne in Trim, Co Meath, and is another Irish location that featured extensively in "Braveheart" (1995) and set the scene for Mel Gibson’s historical epic drama, contrary to the film’s Scottish setting.

Inis Mór

Completing the top 10 was Inis Mór, with an index score of 50.41 out of 100. Also known as Inishmore, it attracted 27,500 Instagram posts and generated a monthly average of 12,667 Google searches globally. 

Inis Mór is the largest of the Aran Islands, located in Galway Bay, and was another charming area to be included among the filming locations of "The Banshees of Inisherin" (2022). Due to the film's success, Inis Mór and the movie’s other production spots have received a surge in interest and tourism – and each location on the list is well worth visiting if you have the opportunity. 

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Tonybet said: “With the Irish film industry on an upswing, it’s expected that there would be so much interest in the filming locations of some of the most successful films and TV shows in recent years – but it is excellent news for the Irish tourism industry, nonetheless. 

“With Irish actors such as Collin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Barry Keoghan, Andrew Scott, and recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy receiving acclaim for their performances in major studio films over the past few years, the Irish film industry has become synonymous with a sense of prestige and widespread online popularity, both of which translates to an intrigue in Ireland and what it has to offer. 

“This isn’t limited to niche productions either, and Ireland’s appeal as a filming location has grown exponentially in recent years, which has consequentially allowed Irish talent to flourish more than ever.

"'The Banshees of Inisherin' produced four Oscar acting nominations alone – almost a quarter of the total acting nominees of that year. Not to mention, the TV miniseries "Normal People," adapted from Sally Rooney’s hit novel and starring Emmy and Oscar nominee Paul Mescal, has become an instant classic among Gen-Z. 

“Hopefully, this will only lead to more opportunities for the Irish film industry, and more film crews will consider Ireland when choosing their filming locations. Many of these locations are well worth a visit, even if you haven’t seen the films in which they appear.

"For those who are cinephiles, a lot of them offer guided tours that share the secrets of producing such iconic films and will be sure to inject the experience with some special movie magic.”