Here are some great movie-related spots to see if you happen to be passing through Ireland!
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Cliffs of Moher: This scenic spot in County Clare will no doubt be a bit familiar to children who grew up in the 1990s. After all, the cliffs were featured in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as a former hiding place for one of the Horcruxes and in The Princess Bride, they doubled as the Cliffs of Insanity. The Cliffs of Moher are also known for their scenic vistas and their native bird colonies that include both gannets and puffins. The cliffs are located within driving distance of Shannon International Airport, but they can just as easily be easily reached by tour group or by public bus from the nearby towns of Doolin or Ennis. Admission to the visitor center costs €6 ($6.75 USD) for those over the age of 16. Children, however, are admitted free.
Image Source: Anna & Michal via Flickr and CC 2.0
Bective Abbey & Trim Castle: Most of the scenes from the 1995 epic Braveheart were filmed in Ireland rather than in Scotland. The scenes supposedly taking place in London were actually shot in a ruined 12th century monastery in the middle of a field in County Meath. The abbey itself well signposted and there is a car park provided for visitors. Nearby Trim Castle (shown above) is a Norman edifice that stood in for the town of York in the same movie. It was built by Hugh de Lacy in the 12 century and is unusual for its cruciform shaped walls. The castle is currently under state protection but it is open to the public, except on holidays. However, travelers who plan on seeing these sights should probably plan on renting a car as they might be difficult, if not impossible, to reach using the local bus system.
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Powerscourt Estates: Scenes from King Arthur (2004) and The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) were filmed here as were portions of the television show The Tudors. Work on the original house was begun in the 13th century, but the current structure dates back to the 1730s when the property was initially refurbished by the Wingfield family. The building was burned to a crisp in the 1970s and was rendered uninhabitable until twenty years later when renovations took place. However, only two rooms are currently open to the public. In fact, the gardens are the main draw at this spot. They were brought to their current splendor by Mervyn Wingfield, the 7th viscount, during the 1880s. Attractions found here include the Pepperpot tower, the pet cemetery, the themed sub-gardens, and the intriguing mosaic on the terrace. The estate can be found near the town of Enniskerry in County Wicklow. Admission to the gardens is currently at €9.50 ($10.80) for adults and €5 ($5.70) for children.
Happy Travels!
Sources: Irish Central;Wikipedia; Powderscourt Estate website
