5 Irish beaches in the movies

Inch Strand, Co. Kerry

Since the 1930s, the Irish coast has attracted internationally acclaimed directors to shoot some famous movie scenes. Here’s our pick of 5 Irish stunning beaches that have made it to the film screens.

-Curracloe Strand, County Wexford

Curracloe strand posed as WWII Normandy for the epic opening D-Day scenes of Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning blockbuster ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998).

-Inch Strand, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

Recently visited by House Hunter Shane, Inch Strand was one of the film locations for 1970 classic Ryan’s Daughter, along with Coumeenoole Strand. Inch Strand had already tasted some movie fame, since it had also featured in 1963’s comedy Playboy of the Western World.

- Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway

The Aran Islands were selected by pioneer documentary film maker Robert J. Flaherty not just as the location but the inspiration and central topic of his 1934 fictional documentary Man of Aran. The film (which was more docu-fiction than strict documentary) was shot in Inis Mór and recreated the daily struggles of the islanders.

-Brittas Bay, County Wicklow

Brittas Bay, just north of Arklow, is a popular holiday spot for Dubliners but it was famously used for the filming The Count of Monte Cristo. The movie, released in 2002, also featured other County Wicklow beaches: Silver Strand and Blainroe Beach.

-Tully Strand, Connemara, County Galway

While a great part of the movie was filmed in County Mayo, Tully Strand and Lettergesh Beach, in Connemara, were both chosen as film locations for Oscar-winning classic The Quiet Man. The 1952 film won John Ford and Academy Award for Best Director.

If you know about more Irish beaches in the movies, let us know!