- Charleville Castle, near Tullamore: This stunning Gothic Revival castle and its extensive grounds, including ancient oak trees and forested areas, have served as a prime filming site for productions such as Becoming Jane (2007), where it provided elegant period interiors and exteriors; The Green Knight (2021), contributing atmospheric medieval settings; and notably Wednesday Season 2 (Netflix, 2025), standing in for gothic Nevermore Academy elements with its haunting halls and dramatic landscapes.
- The 1971 film Flight of the Doves was filmed in Banagher, Shannon Harbour, and surrounding areas.
- Birr Castle and Demesne, Birr: The historic castle, renowned for its perfectly preserved condition and beautiful gardens (home to the historic Leviathan telescope), has appeared in various productions, including horror-comedy scenes in Scream Queens and other projects requiring grand, aristocratic backdrops; its scientific heritage and scenic grounds add to its appeal for period and fantasy filming.
- Leap Castle, near Kinnitty: One of Ireland’s most famously haunted castles, this remote and eerie site has been used primarily for supernatural and ghost-themed television, such as episodes of Most Haunted and Ghost Hunters, where its reputed paranormal history and isolated, foreboding ruins provided authentic chilling atmospheres.
- Various rural and midland sites (including bogs, farmlands, and small towns): Offaly’s diverse landscapes, from boglands to quiet countryside, supported filming for Irish films like Garage (2007), capturing isolated rural life; You’re Ugly Too and Extra Ordinary (2019), utilising the county’s authentic, understated midlands settings for character-driven stories; and parts of Finding You (2021), blending romantic and scenic elements across the county.
These locations highlight County Offaly’s growing popularity as a filming destination, thanks to its atmospheric castles, historic estates, and versatile rural scenery, often chosen for period dramas, gothic tales, and authentic Irish narratives. The county ranks among Ireland’s top spots for productions, particularly with recent high-profile Netflix series boosting its profile.
Movie locations in the county
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County Offaly:
Ireland’s county Offaly is a county of historic depth and natural beauty, with the Clonmacnoise monastic site featuring ancient high crosses and a riverside setting along the Shannon. Tullamore’s historic distillery provides insights into Irish whiskey production, while the Bog of Allen Nature Centre explores the county’s unique peatlands. Other attractions include the Slieve Bloom Mountains’ hiking trails. Offaly is Ireland’s 18th largest county by size (1,998 square km) and ninth smallest by population (83,150). Population peaked at 146,857 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 51,533 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Offaly is Ireland’s 30th most visited (and third least visited) tourist county with around 37,000 international visitors per year.
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