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Ireland has provided the backdrop for some of this year’s best films and TV. You could even say, at times, that its epic natural landscapes, country towns and historic castles (as in the magnificent image of Lough Key Castle, Co. Roscommon by Ernie Watchorn) have stolen the show. But you don’t have to rely on the silver and small screens to catch a glimpse of them – take a trip and see the real Ireland with your own eyes.

 

 

 

 

Game of Thrones

Filmed in Northern Ireland, the popular fantasy series has wowed audiences across the world with its stunning backdrops. One iconic filming location is Shane’s Castle, built on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh near Randalstown, County Antrim.

The grounds of Shane’s Castle were used heavily in the filming of the pilot and also served as the location of the tournament scene.

 

 

 

 

 

Moone Boy

Moone Boy is a comedy on Sky One about Martin Moone, a 12-year-old boy, and his imaginary grown-up friend Sean “Caution” Murphy. It stars Chris O’Dowd of the IT Crowd and Bridesmaids fame, and co-stars British comedy legends Steve Coogan (as Francis “Touchy” Feely, the fishmonger) and Johnny Vegas (as Crunchy Danger Haystacks, the wrestler) among others.

Co-written by O’Dowd, it’s a semi-autobiographical tale of growing up in the West of Ireland at the end of the 1980s. The 1990 presidential election featured in Episode 2. Mary Robinson was described as the “Joan of Arc of Connaught”! And the fall of the Berlin Wall (plus David Hasselhoff singing Looking for Freedom ) formed the back story of Episode 3 when Martin knocked down the wall separating his house from the school yard.

Some tales – and rites – are timeless, such as Godfellas when Martin made his Confirmation and became an altar boy.

The show is set in the charming town of Boyle, County Roscommon – O’Dowd’s home town.

 

 

 

 

 

Blandings

Blandings is a six-part BBC television adaptation of PG Wodehouse’s celebrated books of the same name set to air this autumn. The comedy follows the chaotic lives of a dysfunctional aristocratic family who live at Blandings Castle.

Jennifer Saunders and Timothy Spall play the lead characters, while Paloma Faith and David Walliams are set to make guest appearances. The series is filmed at the stunning Crom Castle and Estate in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

 

 

 

 

Ek Tha Tiger

Ek Tha Tiger is a big-budget Bollywood romantic action thriller starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. It tells the story of an Indian spy who is sent on a mission to Dublin.

Much of the film was shot on location in some of the capital city’s most recognisable spots such as Trinity College, the Ha’penny Bridge, Temple Bar and the River Liffey.

 

Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

About the author

Brett AckroydBrett hopes to one day reach the shores of far-flung Tristan da Cunha, the most remote of all the inhabited archipelagos on Earth…as to what he’ll do when he gets there, he hasn’t a clue. Over the last 10 years, London, New York, Cape Town and Pondicherry have all proudly been referred to as home. Now it’s Copenhagen’s turn, where he lends his travel expertise to momondo.com.

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