Ireland’s Iconic Heritage Sites on Screen: OPW Publishes a Guide to Filming at Its Historic Locations to Promote Local Opportunities

“Working with the Office of Public Works in Ireland was an invaluable experience. Their unique historical sites supply dramatic scenery as well as being incredibly production-friendly. It was a smooth and rewarding process and I hope to work again with them in the future.” – Ridley Scott, Director of The Last Duel (2021)

Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), together with Grainne Humphreys, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival, today (1 March) launched Heritage Ireland on Screen: A Guide to Filming at Ireland’s Historic Locations at Dublin Castle, the scene of many national and international film productions over the years. This practical guide for filmmakers wishing to film in Ireland showcases the beauty of our cultural heritage and the pride we take in sharing these rare and cherished places with the wider world. It will travel as an attractive, cultural passport with Ministers to locations all around the world as they meet influential audiences in more than 30 locations overseas and promote Ireland and Irish interests this St. Patrick's Day.

Minister O’Donovan said:

“The OPW cares for some 1,000 monuments and historic properties in 768 locations across Ireland, ranging from Neolithic passage tombs, medieval churches and castles, to Elizabethan manor houses, Palladian mansions, parks and gardens and monumental forts. The iconic monuments and properties in our care are significant to the identities of our towns and communities across Ireland and are a key driver of tourism and regional economic development.

At the same time, they also occupy an important place in a shared imagination that transcends geographic boundaries through art, literature, music and film. As custodians of many of Ireland’s most precious built treasures, our role is to build a bridge between our past, present and future by connecting more people to the richness, diversity and inspiration that exist in our heritage.”

Ireland’s relationship with cinema runs deep. Moving pictures were first shown here in 1896, and just a few months later, cameramen working for the Lumière brothers filmed the first footage of the country. Ever since then, filmmakers have flocked to Ireland, drawn by the diversity of its landscapes, the mild climate that enables filming all year round, the creative talent that resides here and, above all, by a 5000-year history that is visible across the land, from Brú na Bóinne to Bantry Bay.

Director Neil Jordan fondly recalled his experience of working with the OPW on his historical biopic starring Liam Neeson:

“The filming of Michael Collins was a wonderful experience. The Office of Public Works gave me access to streetscapes and buildings of immense historical significance, from the Four Courts to College Green. The most resonant of these was Dublin Castle, which played such a significant part in the period.”

As part of our mission, the OPW is proud to offer access to our sites to filmmakers from all over the world, working closely with film crews to maintain the highest standards of safety, integrity and authenticity. Famous films from The Italian Job and Barry Lyndon to Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Green Knight have been shot at OPW sites, and with this guide, superb infrastructure and great post-production studios, it has never been easier to film here.

ENDS

Photography from the launch will be available from Naoise Culhane Photography naoise@naoiseculhane.com or contact pressoffice@opw.ie .

For a soft copy of the Heritage Ireland on Screen: A Guide to Filming at Ireland’s Historic Locations at Dublin Castle, please email pressoffice@opw.ie .

Find us on Facebook @opwireland

Notes to Editors

Global cinema box office reached $21.4 billion in 2021, according to calculations by researcher Gower Street Analytics. Last month, Screen Ireland revealed a record-breaking spend of €500 million in the Irish economy across film, television drama, documentary and animation production in Ireland in 2021, driven by both local and international productions. It surpassed 2019’s previous record of €358 million by 40 per cent. The figures are based on its own estimates of production spend. The sector is currently supporting 12,000 local jobs with major additional expansion opportunities across all parts of the industry anticipated in the coming year. A combination of Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting international productions, Screen Ireland’s own development funding opportunities and schemes for local producers and creative talent, as well as direct support from Government are key to driving and maintaining this success.

For more information see: Screen Ireland