7 serie tv girate in Irlanda

Vikings Valhalla è tornato su Netflix per una terza e ultima stagione... e i fan sono entusiasti! Avranno così l'occasione di seguire le avventure dell'esploratore vichingo Leif Eriksson, della sua caparbia sorella Freydis Eriksdottir e del principe del nord Harald Sigurdsson. Ma potranno anche ammirare una delle più grandi star della serie... la contea di Wicklow e i suoi paesaggi. La serie è stata girata in un luogo panoramico appena a sud di Dublino e una visita qui può trasportarti direttamente nella Scandinavia dell'XI secolo. Gli spettatori di Valhalla hanno visto le suggestive acque del Lough Tay sostituirsi al porto di Kattegat e Ballyhorsey Quarry trasformarsi nel "fiume di ghiaccio", oltre che aver assistito ad apparizioni speciali delle contee di Meath e Kerry. Che ne dici? Tempo di una spedizione vichinga in Irlanda?

Oltre alle infinite pugnalate e alla suspense su chi sarà il prossimo a morire, sono state le fantastiche location assolutamente realistiche del colosso da record dell'HBO a rendere il Trono di Spade® una serie televisiva così avvincente. L'Irlanda del Nord è stata una delle principali location delle riprese della prima stagione ed è stata il set di alcuni dei momenti più memorabili della serie. Come quando Sansa e Baelish attraversano le Terre dei Fiumi (Glens of Antrim), Jamie e Bronn arrivano a Dorne (Portstewart Strand) e i Bolton si insediano nelle rovine bruciate di Grande Inverno (Castle Ward).

Questa serie di successo si basa sulle leggende norrene e ripercorre le scorrerie del re vichingo Ragnar Lothbrok. Quasi tutta la serie è stata girata nelle Wicklow Mountains, dove i pendii ricoperti di erica, i fiumi tortuosi e i fitti boschi ricordano straordinariamente i paesaggi scandinavi. Tra le scene memorabili, le spedizioni in barca e le incursioni a Lough Tay e Powerscourt Demesne. Nella prima stagione, la star di Dublino Gabriel Byrne ha avuto un ruolo da protagonista, interpretando uno degli uomini di potere più influenti, quindi... complimenti!

1. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland and the fantasy world of Westeros go together like a sword and shield! Having wowed on screen in the original Game of Thrones® saga, this epic land shines brighter than ever in the highly anticipated new Game of Thrones® tale, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The latest HBO Original Series adapted from the work of George RR Martin sees two unlikely heroes – a naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg – traversing epic locations such as Tollymore Forest Park at the foot of the rugged Mourne Mountains, the towering Myra Castle by the shores of Strangford Lough, and 17th-century Glenarm Castle overlooking the stunning Causeway Coast. Northern Ireland’s giant landscapes are the perfect backdrop for a mighty story full of dangerous exploits and dastardly foes.

2. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast – Northern Ireland

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a road trip through Lisa McGee’s beloved Northern Ireland. The creator of Derry Girls is back with another hilarious comedy, but this time she’s dialling up the mystery, too. Childhood friends Saoirse, Robyn and Dara – now in their late 30s – embark on a thrilling adventure as they try to piece together the puzzle surrounding the death of the estranged fourth member of their childhood gang. Iconic locations in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry provide striking backdrops in the show, as does the ruggedly beautiful Causeway Coast. There’s even time to take in the dramatic landscapes of County Donegal, as well as a memorable trip to Dublin. It’s a dark and dangerous journey, but the island of Ireland always shines on screen.

3. Wednesday – counties Dublin, Wicklow & Offaly

The world of the Tim Burton-directed Netflix hit Wednesday is bewitching, magical and dazzling, so of course, Ireland was a perfect filming location for Season Two! Step forward counties Dublin, Wicklow and Offaly, all of which shine on screen alongside the Jenna Ortega-led all-star cast. From the eerie Deansgrange Cemetery and historic Powerscourt Estate to the gothic charms of Charleville Castle, these stunning spots add what the showrunners call “a sense of timeless beauty, wonder and epic spectacle to the world of Wednesday.” The Addams Family never looked so good.

4. Bodkin – counties Cork, Wicklow & Dublin

Bodkin is the fictitious coastal town that plays host to a motley crew of podcasters out to solve a mystery in this dark, comedic thriller from Netflix. The wild beauty of West Cork takes centre stage in this production, with supporting roles from picturesque spots such as the quaint village of Enniskerry in County Wicklow and Howth on the Dublin coast. Will Forte heads up a top cast in this twisty tale, where secrets unravel in unpredictable fashion. The story might turn dark, but Ireland’s gorgeous landscapes remain as luminous as ever.

5. Bad Sisters – County Dublin

Sharon Horgan, the writer, executive producer and homegrown star of lauded Apple TV+ series, Bad Sisters, knows how to showcase her homeland on screen. The Garvey sisters, featuring Eve Hewson (Bono’s daughter), and joined in Season Two by veteran Irish actor Fiona Shaw, can’t escape the shady circumstances around suspicious deaths and inquisitive detectives. Along the way, the comic caper takes in some of County Dublin’s most beautiful coastal locations, including charming Malahide village, Skerries town (with its unique windmills) and the iconic Forty Foot swimming spot. Being bad never looked so good on TV!

6. The Tourist – counties Dublin, Wicklow & Mayo

Season two of The Tourist sees the action relocate from Australia to Ireland, as homegrown star Jamie Dornan (Elliot) is once again out to uncover his past identity, with dangerous consequences. The city scenes take place in Dublin, while the Wicklow Mountains and the charming seaside town of Bray also provide postcard-perfect backdrops in this darkly comedic drama-thriller. As it often does, Achill Island in County Mayo possibly steals the show as Ireland’s rugged west coast glistens on screen. From one tourist to another, are you ready to explore these stunning destinations?

7. Conversations with Friends – Dublin

From the creative team behind the worldwide smash, Normal People, Conversations with Friends is another emotionally stirring coming-of-age drama, adapted from a Sally Rooney novel. And like its predecessor, the show vividly showcases some of Ireland’s most distinctive locations. As in Normal People, the show’s striking leads traverse the hallowed halls of Trinity College in Dublin, while also taking in sights around Northern Ireland, like Queen’s University Belfast and Ballycastle.

8. Normal People – Dublin & County Sligo

Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones have extraordinary romantic chemistry in Normal People, a modern Irish love story that took the world by storm. From the windswept sand dunes of Streedagh Beach in County Sligo, to the historic 16th-century campus of Trinity College Dublin, you’ll be falling for the island of Ireland on screen from the first episode. Dublin city gets its moment in the spotlight, too. Whether it’s buzzing bars (Blackbird in Rathmines), or cool cafés (The Fumbally in the Liberties neighbourhood), the city rings true in the show as a lively, 21st-century urban hub.

9. Derry Girls – Northern Ireland

Few shows capture the craic (fun) you can have on the island of Ireland like Derry Girls. The hit comedy series follows the hilarious exploits of Erin and her gang of misfit schoolfriends in 1990s Derry~Londonderry. While filming took place across Northern Ireland, it’s the Walled City that provides the main backdrop as events unfold. From the Peace Bridge and The Guildhall to the 400-year-old city walls, picture-perfect moments await at every turn. Don’t miss the Derry Girls mural, which pays homage to the show. Then pop by the Derry Girls Experience at the Tower Museum, where memorabilia, props and costumes from the TV hit are on display.

10. Vikings: Valhalla – County Wicklow

Vikings: Valhalla is back for a third and final season on Netflix and fans are excited. Yes, they’ll get to follow the ongoing dramas of Viking explorer Leif Eriksson, his headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter and Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson. But they can also admire one of the show’s biggest stars… the County Wicklow countryside. The series was filmed in this scenic spot just south of Dublin, and a visit here can transport you right back to 11th-century Scandinavia. Valhalla viewers have seen the moody waters of Lough Tay stand in for the harbour at Kattegat, watched Ballyhorsey Quarry transform into the “Ice River” and enjoyed special guest appearances from counties Meath and Kerry. Time for a Viking roadtrip around Ireland?

11. Vikings – County Wicklow

This hit series is based on Norse legends and traces the exploits of Viking ruler Ragnar Lothbrok. Almost the entire show was filmed deep in the Wicklow Mountains, where the heather-strewn slopes, meandering rivers and dense woodlands bear a striking resemblance to Scandinavian landscapes. Standout scenes include the longboat expeditions and raids shot at Lough Tay and Powerscourt Demesne. Season one even starred Dublin’s own Gabriel Byrne as a local chieftain, so bonus points for that!

12. Game of Thrones® – Northern Ireland

Endless backstabbing and the who-will-die-next suspense aside, it was the incredible real-world locations on HBO’s record-breaking behemoth that made Game of Thrones® such an addictive watch. Northern Ireland was one of the main filming locations from the first season and provided the backdrop to some of the show’s most memorable moments. Like when Sansa and Baelish cross the Riverlands (Glens of Antrim), Jamie and Bronn arrive at Dorne (Portstewart Strand) and the Boltons settle in Winterfell’s burned-out ruins (Castle Ward). Go behind-the-scenes of the fantasy epic at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, and discover props, costumes, sets and much more from the show.

13. Penny Dreadful – Dublin

Dublin morphed into Victorian London when Penny Dreadful came to town. The fair city’s unspoiled architecture was perfectly in keeping with the era and placed the sensational Gothic drama in the real world – an impressive feat considering characters included vampires and witches. Temple Bar’s cobbled lanes, Dublin Castle and Merrion Square all made appearances, as did the King’s Inns, a historic school of law founded in 1541, which doubled as the Explorers’ Club.

14. The Fall – Belfast

Police dramas aren’t supposed to look THIS good. The Fall centres around a serial killer (County Down man, Jamie Dornan) and the detective (award-winning actress with Irish roots Gillian Anderson) pursuing him in Belfast, which has never looked better on screen. Filmed in and around Northern Ireland’s capital, the game of cat-and-mouse weaves past some of Belfast’s best-known landmarks, like the Botanic Gardens, The Merchant Hotel and Cathedral Quarter. You’ll be as hooked on the locations as you are on the charismatic leads.

15. Ripper Street – Dublin

It can be hard to take your eyes off the dapper checked suits, pocket watches and bowler hats on Ripper Street. But when you do, it’s the authentic locations that make the period crime drama so captivating. Set in 1889, the streets of Dublin were called upon to recreate Jack the Ripper era London. Locations include Kilmainham Gaol, the Phoenix Park and Clancy Barracks, while Mulligan’s pub is Detective Inspector Edmund Reid’s local on the show.