Over 70 years after its release, John Ford’s classic remains one of the most prominent films that’s imagined Ireland on screen. With Ford’s own parents coming from Ireland, the legendary director portrayed an idyllic image of the country that other American filmmakers have struggled to match since – he even insisted the extras wore Connemara tweeds made by a tailor in Galway. 

John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s spirited romance was filmed partially on location in Cong in County Mayo, a history the heritage town still celebrates. Today, you can visit The Quiet Man Museum in the town and hear stories of the Hollywood production, or stop by The Quiet Man Bridge off the main N59 road near Oughterard to recreate Wayne and O’Hara’s fiery encounter there. Film fans will also recognise Lettergesh Beach, near Letterfrack in Connemara, as the setting for the film’s famous horse and cart race.  

Pioneering filmmaker Robert Flaherty is credited with directing some of the first narrative documentary films in cinema history, including this portrayal of the hardships of life on Árainn (the Aran Islands), where the Man of Aran must “fight for his existence.” 

Flaherty’s films combined documentary footage with staged narrative scenes, and the prehistoric stone fort of Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór (Inishmore) is among the impressive sites featured in his story of man’s clash against nature on the awe-inspiring islands.  

The dramatic cliffs and beaches of the Renvyle Peninsula provide the perfect setting for the melodrama of 1977’s Le Taxi Mauve (The Purple Taxi). Hollywood legend Fred Astaire, famed for his dancing collaborations with Ginger Rogers, plays retired physician Dr Seamus Scully, driver of the titular taxi, alongside Charlotte Rampling, Peter Ustinov and a host of European stars in this international co-production, filmed in both English and French.   

The film tells the story of a group of emotionally-troubled expats, living in exile in the obscurity and beauty of a small Irish village. Take a walk down Renvyle Beach and have a look out from Islands View and you’ll quickly understand why the filmmakers were so drawn to this part of Galway. Based on a best-selling novel by French author Michel Deon, the film was reportedly such a hit in his home country that the Irish Tourist Office became inundated with requests from France about Ireland. 

Today, homegrown hits like An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) and Kneecap are sharing the Irish language with film audiences all over the world. Their forefather Poitín is a landmark in Irish film history as the very first feature film made entirely in Irish.  

Bob Quinn’s crime drama unfolds in the wilds of Connemara, a place where then-illegal drink poitín is distilled. There, two local ne’er-do-wells harass an old moonshiner and threaten his daughter, leading the poitín maker to outwit the pair.  

The Screebe Fishing Hut, one of many historic buildings in the region, served as a key location in the film. The fishery, found at the head of Camus Bay, is open to visitors looking to fish trout, salmon and more along Screebe’s many lakes and rivers, also providing permits, day tours and advice. 

Generations of Irish artistry come together in The Field, Jim Sheridan’s adaptation of John B Keane’s 1965 play of the same name, with Richard Harris and Brenda Fricker filling out an impressive cast. When a field farmed by the McCabe family for generations goes up for auction, proud Bull McCabe fights to stop it from being snapped up by a wealthy American.  

Much of the film was shot around Leenane in County Galway, a small village on the south side of Killary Harbour. That village is home to local pub Gaynor’s, which served as the ‘The Field Bar’ in the film. Thirsty patrons can still pop into for a pint, while a portrait of Harris’ Bull McCabe looks down from atop the fireplace.  

Cloch na Rón (Roundstone) in Galway stars as Ballinagra, the ‘town of love,’ in this Hollywood romcom take on the real-life Matchmaking Festival in Lisdoonvarna. The ‘90s film is about an American intern sent to Ireland to discover the roots of her US Senator boss to boost his Irish-American vote – she then gets swept up in the match-making festivities. The real Roundstone may not have locals competing for the affections of Jeanene Garofolo, but it has plenty more besides to entertain, with an annual arts week and the Connemara Pony Show among the events to catch around its sloping streets.  

O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant, overlooking the Roundstone harbour, was decked out as a funeral parlour in the film – a taste of their signature chowder or Fisherman Platter with homemade brown scones makes for a more enlivening experience.  

In the middle of the canine comedy Marley & Me, Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston leave misbehaving Marley at home for a belated honeymoon in Connemara. 

Along their travels, they’re faced with a traffic jam caused by some stubborn sheep, a farmer and his sheepdogs – a cameo from Joe Joyce and his animals from Joyce Country Sheepdogs Farm. Having farmed sheep in Joyce County for three generations, the Joyce family would be well able even for Marley’s messing, which you can see for yourself on a visit to their working farm with sheepdog demonstrations. You can also stay nearby in the four-star Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel, the same spot that the Hollywood stars honeymoon in the film. 

In this buddy cop noir by John Michael McDonagh, Brendan Gleeson plays a cynical, unconventional Irish lawman who has to team up with uptight F.B.I. agent Don Cheadle to take down a drug ring. Much of the film was shot around An Spidéal (Spiddal) on the north coast of Galway Bay – the pier at Spiddal is instantly recognisable to fans of the film, though you’re more likely to see a magnificent sunset there than a chaotic shoot-out.  

Brothers John Michael and Martin McDonagh found inspiration to write The Guard, Calvary, Banshees of Inisherin and other films in their childhood summer holidays to towns like Lettermullen, where parts of The Guard were filmed. Pay a visit to Lettermullen and Garumna Heritage Centre along the film trail and you’ll get a sense of the region’s rich cultural history. The centre even has a section on Martin, a testament to the impact the brothers have had on the area’s cultural and cinematic legacy. 

The island of Inisherin may not actually exist, but you can still pay a visit to the locations featured in Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-nominated film. Scenes for this story of Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell’s tragic friendship fallout were shot on the islands of Inis Mór (Inishmore) and Ácaill (Achill Island). 

From pony trap tours to Aran sweater markets, there is plenty to see on the largest of the Aran islands for those looking to trace the steps of Brendan, Colin and co – Inishmore combines distinctive scenery, a lively night life and a spread of Ireland’s ancient history.   

Conversations between Farrell’s Pádraic and Barry Keoghan’s character Dominic take place on the island’s imposing cliff edge, with the prehistoric stone fort of Dún Aonghasa in the background. You can pay a visit to the fort for an informative tour with a brisk hike – just bring appropriate footwear to traverse the uneven terrain. 

Romcom films set in Ireland just can’t resist the stirring sight of Dún Aonghasa, and Leap Year starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode is no exception. Based on the Irish tradition which allows women to propose to men on February 29, the film makes good use of its gorgeous setting – its final proposal takes place not far from the village of Kilmurvey, just outside the walls of Dún Aonghasa, with the Atlantic Ocean making for a romantic backdrop.

As Adams travels across the island to track down her pending fiancé, she sees many of the country’s most famous sights, among them the Ballynahinch Castle and Estate. A popular hideaway for stars filming in Ireland, Adams herself stayed in the luxurious estate during production.  

A returning ranger responds to the Great Famine with a roaring rampage of revenge in Lance Daly’s genre flick. The well-weathered range of the Maamtark Mountains is an appropriate area to stage the film’s gritty, physical action, as Ranger Feeny hunts his targets, Hugo Weaving’s lawman following in pursuit.  

With the support of Climb Connemara, you can chart a similar path, with qualified and knowledgeable mountain leaders and rock climbing instructors ensuring a safe and secure trek.