County Limerick in Ireland, home to the historic city of Limerick and picturesque villages like Adare, has been used for filming in a mix of period comedies, literary adaptations, and more recent productions, often leveraging its medieval architecture, river settings, and rural charm. While not as dominated by global blockbusters as some western counties, it has notable ties to classic films and modern series, with much recent activity around Troy Studios in Castletroy for large-scale TV productions:
- Adare village (southwest of Limerick city): This exceptionally pretty, thatched-roof village with stone bridges, tree-lined streets, and historic ruins along the River Maigue has appeared in several productions for its quintessential Irish charm. It featured in The Rising of the Moon (1957), John Ford’s anthology of three Irish short stories, capturing traditional rural life; and it has been noted for its evocative, storybook-like appearance in various titles, including incidental use in period pieces seeking idyllic Irish settings.
- Dromore Castle (near Kilcolman, County Limerick): This 19th-century Gothic Revival castle ruin, set in wooded grounds, served as the fictional Plunkett family’s haunted Plunkett Castle in High Spirits (1988), the supernatural comedy starring Peter O’Toole, Daryl Hannah, and Steve Guttenberg. The castle’s atmospheric ruins and grounds were central to the film’s farcical ghost-hunting plot, where an American family attempts to turn the estate into a haunted hotel attraction.
- Various locations in Limerick city (including streets, historic areas, and the River Shannon): The city provided authentic urban backdrops for Angela’s Ashes (1999), Alan Parker’s adaptation of Frank McCourt’s memoir about impoverished childhood in 1930s–1940s Limerick. Although much of the film was shot elsewhere (in Cork, Dublin, and Wicklow) for logistical reasons, some Limerick scenes captured the gritty, rain-soaked streets and tenement feel central to the story’s themes of hardship and resilience; the city also appeared in smaller Irish films like Cowboys and Angels (2003), a comedy-drama about flatmates in Limerick.
- Troy Studios (Castletroy, on the outskirts of Limerick city): This large modern film and television studio complex has hosted major international productions, including significant portions of Foundation (2021–), the Apple TV+ sci-fi epic based on Isaac Asimov’s novels, employing hundreds in large-scale sets for space opera sequences; and other titles like Nightflyers (2018 Netflix series). While not a traditional outdoor landmark, it represents Limerick’s growing role as a production hub for high-budget series.
Other uses include The Pope’s Exorcist (2023), starring Russell Crowe, which filmed some scenes in Limerick alongside Dublin for its horror-drama elements; and recent projects like 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank (filmed in Limerick city streets in 2025). County Limerick’s film heritage blends literary adaptations like Angela’s Ashes (despite limited on-location shooting) with comedy (High Spirits) and contemporary studio work, rather than one dominant natural or historic icon. Adare village stands out as the most picturesque and visitable cinematic spot, while the city itself appeals to fans of authentic Irish urban stories. Recent growth in facilities like Troy Studios positions the county for more future productions.
Movie locations in the county
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County Limerick:
Ireland’s county Limerick combines historic landmarks with riverside charm, with Limerick City’s King John’s Castle offering insights into medieval history along the Shannon. The Hunt Museum showcases an eclectic art collection, while Adare’s thatched cottages and historic manor add picturesque appeal. Other attractions include the nearby Ballyhoura Mountains’ cycling trails. Limerick is Ireland’s tenth largest county by size (2,686 sq km), and ninth largest by population (209,536). Population peaked at 330,029 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 133,339 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Limerick is Ireland’s seventh most visited tourist county with around 420,000 international visitors per year.
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