🎬 Movie Locations in South West Donegal
South West Donegal has become a hidden gem for film productions, attracting major movies and TV series with its dramatic landscapes, rich heritage, and welcoming local community.
In recent years, the area has featured prominently in several high-profile productions:
-
In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2022)
This gripping Hollywood action thriller starring Liam Neeson was filmed across South West Donegal. The rugged coastline, remote villages, and winding back roads of Kilcar and Glencolmcille provided the perfect backdrop for the intense story. -
God’s Creatures (2020)
A psychological drama set against the haunting beauty of the Donegal landscape. This film showcased the area’s moody skies, wild scenery, and emotional depth—adding to its cinematic allure.
These recent successes are paving the way for future productions. With a location manager who knows every back road, pier, and cottage in the parishes of Kilcar and Glencolmcille, more films are likely on the horizon.
🎥 A Look Back in Time
Before these modern hits, the area was already drawing filmmakers:
-
The Railway Station Man (early 1990s)
Starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland, this romantic drama was filmed in and around Glencolmcille. -
Murder in Eden (BBC, early 1990s)
A three-part crime series set and filmed in Glencolmcille, adding suspense and intrigue to the landscape’s legacy.
If you're a film buff, a fan of these productions, or just curious to see where the magic happened, I can take you on a tour of these stunning filming locations. From hidden coves to windswept hills, you'll step right into the scenes of some unforgettable cinema.
đź“Ť Get in touch to explore the real-world locations behind the reel stories!
In the Land of Saints and Sinners - 2023
About the Tour
I'm local and was an extra in the 2023 film In the Land of Saints and Sinners. This tour brings you through the stunning villages and coastlines where key scenes were filmed — including the dramatic finale and the unforgettable football match.
Filming Locations
- Kilcar: Home of Finbar’s peaceful village life.
- Glencolmcille:Â Coastal lookout points and dramatic roads.
- Carrick:Â Central location for tense character moments.
- Ardara: Features in the film’s action-packed finale and match scenes.
Behind the Scenes
I appeared in several scenes alongside Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, and Jack Gleeson. Hear first hand stories from filming in spring 2022 and learn what it was like working on set during major scenes.
God’s Creatures (2022)
In a remote Irish fishing village, Aileen (Emily Watson) is a devoted mother and factory manager whose life is upended when her estranged son Brian (Paul Mescal) unexpectedly returns from Australia. When Brian is accused of a serious crime, Aileen is forced to choose between protecting him and confronting a harsh truth—threatening the fragile fabric of her family and tight-knit community. The film is a slow-burning psychological drama exploring themes of loyalty, guilt, and community silence.
Filming Locations:
God’s Creatures was shot on location in County Donegal, Ireland, in the following areas:
-
Kilcar
-
Teelin
-
Glencolmcille
-
Killybegs
Filming took place during the spring of 2021 amid COVID-19 restrictions. One of the houses featured in the film (set in the early 1990s) belongs to my late aunty Sheila and it was transformed from a real local residence into a period-accurate home.
The Railway Station Man (1992) is a drama film about Helen Cuffe (Julie Christie), a Northern Irish widow whose husband was mistakenly killed by the IRA. A decade later, she lives quietly in rural Donegal, trying to rebuild her life through painting. Her solitude is interrupted when she meets Roger Hawthorne (Donald Sutherland), an American veteran restoring an abandoned railway station. As they form a bond, both must confront past traumas and emotional wounds.
Film Locations:
The movie was filmed on location in Glencolmcille, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1990. The area’s rugged coastal landscape and remote atmosphere play a key role in the film’s tone and setting.
Murder in Eden - 1991
Murder in Eden is a three-part crime drama that aired on BBC One in July 1991. Based on the novel Bogmail by Patrick McGinley, the story unfolds in a small village in rural County Donegal, Ireland. When pub landlord Tim Roarty murders his barman to stop a blackmail scheme, local Sergeant McGing begins an investigation. As parts of the victim’s body start appearing, a dark and twisted mystery reveals the secrets of the close-knit community.
The series was filmed on location in County Donegal, Ireland, capturing the rugged beauty of the northwest coast:
-
Glencolmcille – Main filming area, featured prominently throughout the series
-
Teelin – Another nearby village used for exterior shots
-
Roarty’s Bar, Glencolmcille – Used as the pub in the show; it kept the name “Roarty’s” after filming and is still known by that name today
Murder in Eden was uploaded in full to YouTube by myself in 2016 after I received a VCR with it on it recorded from the TV.Â
