County Clare in Ireland is home to one of the country’s most iconic and frequently filmed natural landmarks, making it a standout for movie locations compared to some other counties. The dramatic Atlantic coastline, particularly the Cliffs of Moher, has drawn filmmakers for its breathtaking scale and wild beauty.
- Cliffs of Moher (near Liscannor and Doolin, west County Clare): These towering sea cliffs, rising over 200 metres above the Atlantic and stretching for about 14 kilometres, are among Ireland’s most recognisable natural features. They have appeared in numerous films as a dramatic backdrop, including standing in for the “Cliffs of Insanity” in The Princess Bride (1987), where the characters scale the heights in a memorable pursuit scene; featuring as the coastal cliffs where Dumbledore and Harry seek a Horcrux in a sea cave (enhanced with CGI) in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009); providing the epic ocean-edge setting in the family adventure Into the West (1992), where boys chase a magical white horse to the cliff’s edge; and including a notable umbrella-tossing scene in the romantic drama Ryan’s Daughter (1970), directed by David Lean.
- The Burren (various limestone landscapes across north County Clare): This unique karst region of exposed limestone pavements, wildflowers, and ancient sites has been noted as a striking, otherworldly filming area. It ranked highly in studies of popular on-screen locations and has appeared in productions seeking stark, lunar-like rural Irish scenery, though specific blockbuster ties are less prominent than the cliffs.
- Various locations including Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilfenora, and Kilnaboy (mid and north County Clare): These towns and rural spots served as key settings for the beloved Irish comedy television series Father Ted (1995–1998), portraying the fictional Craggy Island where the hapless priests live. The parochial house exterior was filmed at McCormack’s farmhouse near Kilnaboy, and other local landmarks contributed to the show’s quirky, isolated feel.
Other films have used County Clare for specific scenes, such as car chases in The Mackintosh Man (1973) or establishing shots in more recent titles like Leap Year (2010) and Irish Wish (2024), but the Cliffs of Moher remain by far the most celebrated and visited cinematic site in the county, often highlighted for their global appeal in both blockbusters and Irish stories. Unlike more village-focused locations in other counties, Clare’s fame centres overwhelmingly on its natural coastal drama.
Movie locations in the county
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County Clare:
Ireland’s county Clare is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and traditional heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher offering breathtaking views over the Atlantic. The Burren’s unique limestone landscape provides hiking and rare flora, while Bunratty Castle offers medieval history with its restored interiors. Check out the traditional music scene in Doolin and the county’s coastal beaches. Clare is Ireland’s eighth largest county by size (3,188 square km) and 19th largest by population (127,938). Population peaked at 286,394 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 73,597 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Clare is Ireland’s sixth most visited tourist county with around 485,000 international visitors per year.
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