The Banshees of Inisherin, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, is a dark comedy set on the fictional island of Inisherin. So, let’s take a look at the real-life Irish filming locations that brought Inisherin to life.
Since its release in the latter half of 2022, The Banshees of Inisherin has been making waves and was predicted to have massive success across the biggest TV and film awards going.
Last week, the movie took home three Golden Globe Awards, a testament to the story, its actors, and the production team.
The film tells the story of the tumultuous friendship of Colm Doherty (Gleeson) and Pádraic Súilleabháin (Farrell).
Filmed across a number of stunning locations on Achill Island and Inis Mór, let’s take a look at the top ten The Banshees of Inisherin filming locations.
Achill Island locations
10. Cloughmore, Achill Island, County Mayo − where you’ll spot Pat Shortt, Gary Lydon, John Kenny and Aaron Monaghan
The latest film from Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin, was filmed across a number of wild and wonderful locations in Ireland, Achill Island included.
The film sees old buddies Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson reunited for the first time onscreen since In Bruges (2008).
Cloughmore is located on the southeastern corner of Achill Island, with views across Clare Island and Achill Beag. It is the setting for JJ Devines Pub (Jonjo’s). The pub was constructed by the crew for the film and later removed.
Address: An Chloich Mhóir, Co. Mayo, Ireland
9. Cloughmore Crossroad, Achill Island, County Mayo − another great location on the Wild Atlantic Way
Cloughmore is also the location for the ‘fork in the road’ in the movie. This road is used for several scenes throughout the film.
You’ll see the statue of the Virgin Mary at the fork in the road where Pádraic does his daily walk with Jenny the Donkey and also the cart ride with Pádraic and Colm. The statue was also a prop for the movie.
Address: An Chloich Mhóir, Co. Mayo, Ireland
8. Keem Bay, Achill Island, County Mayo − for beautiful coastal scenery
Keem Beach in Keem Bay is one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches, and it was used for the beach scenes in the movie as well as the location for Colm’s house.
Colm’s house, however, was another set piece. Interestingly, the interior of his cottage was not filmed actually inside but rather on a set.
Keem Bay, or Keem Strand, is the stunning location for the closing scene of The Banshees of Inisherin.
Address: Co. Mayo, Ireland
7. Corrymore Lake, Achill Island, County Mayo – a scenic backdrop
Corrymore Lake, or Lough Acorrymore, is the largest of a series of lakes on Croaghan Mountain, near the villages of Dooagh and Pollagh.
We don’t want this article to contain any spoilers, but you will recognise this location as one of the film’s tragedies. It’s also the spot where Mrs McCormick’s cottage sits.
Address: Keel West, Co. Mayo, Ireland
6. St Thomas’ Church, Achill Island, County Mayo – one of the physical places you can visit
In the northern part of Achill Island, the mass scenes from the movie were filmed in and around St Thomas’ Church in Dugort, or Doogort.
This is one of The Banshees of Inisherin filming locations that you can actually visit.
However, please be respectful of locals taking part in services as this is the only time the 19th-century Church of Ireland is open, and it isn’t usually open to the public.
Address: Doogort East, Co. Mayo, Ireland
5. Purteen Harbour, County Mayo – for a number of scenes
Purteen Harbour, located a short distance from Keel in the southwest of the country, is the location for the nearby village where Siobhan goes to fetch the groceries and send her mail in the nosy Mrs O’Riordan’s shop.
You’ll also remember the punch-up from this location. The shop and the facades of the street front were all dismantled once filming was completed.
Address: Keel East, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Inis Mór locations
4. Gort Na gCapall, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway − the location for Pádraic’s cottage
Just like JJ’s pub, the cottage where Pádraic and his sister Siobhan (Kerry Condon) live was also a prop that was taken down once filming was over.
While locals actually wanted to keep the cottage, pre-filming agreements meant that the crew had to leave everything as they found it.
However, if you want to visit the location of the cottage, it’s located in an isolated spot near the village of Gort na gCapall, not far from the Fort of Dun Aonghasa.
Address: Kilmurvy, Aran Islands, Co. Galway, Ireland
3. Eoghanacht, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway − a tiny town on Inis Mór Island
The Aran Islands are an official Gaeltacht region of Ireland, meaning the locals primarily speak Irish as their first language. Inis Mór is the largest of the three Aran Islands.
In the small village of Eoghanacht, you will find the home of Dominic Kearney (played by Barry Keoghan). Unlike Colm and Pádraic’s homes, the crew used an existing bungalow on the outskirts of the village for this location.
Address: Onaght, Co. Galway, Ireland
2. Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway − an ancient monument amidst beautiful scenery
Dún Aonghasa, anglicised as Dun Aengus, is a prehistoric hill fort, perhaps the most popular and well-known, on the Aran Islands.
Perched dramatically on a cliff edge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this spectacular monument is said to be around 3,000 years old.
You will see Dún Aonghasa in the movie from Pádraic’s window, as well as the beautiful backdrop for a conversation between Pádraic and Dominic.
Address: Inishmore, Aran Islands, Co. Galway, H91 YT20, Ireland
1. Lighthouse Lane, Inis Mór, Aran Islands, County Galway – for picturesque lanes and pastures
Aside from the fork in the road on Cloughmore, Achill Island, you’ll notice that the movie features a lot of quintessentially Irish lanes and pastures.
Some of these scenes portray the areas near Colm and Pádraic’s houses. The lane used is Lighthouse Lane, which is located on the northwest part of the island between Cloghadockan and Breaffy Woods.
Address: Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
Notable mentions
Killeany Graveyard: On the southeast side of Inis Mór, you will find Killeany Graveyard. To the east of the graveyard is a small unnamed beach. The exterior of the graveyard and the beach were used in the movie.
Aran Islands Glamping: While staying on the Aran Islands, the cast and crew stayed in a number of Airbnb’s in the area, including Aran Islands Glamping.
Mulranny Park Hotel: While shooting on Achill Island, the cast and crew stayed in the 4-star Mulranny Park Hotel.
Inisherin: Translate to English, Inisherin means ‘Island of Ireland’. It comes from two Irish words, ‘Inish’, meaning ‘Isle’, and ‘Erin’, meaning Ireland.
FAQs about The Banshees of Inisherin filming locations
What is a banshee?
In Irish mythology, banshees are dark and mysterious female spirits, often resembling old women wearing cloaks. If you see or hear them scream, it indicates that someone close to you will die.
Who are the banshees in the movie?
The banshee in the movie could perhaps be perceived as the old, mysterious Mrs McCormick, played by Sheila Flitton, as she predicts that there will be two deaths on the island very soon.
Why was the movie filmed on two different islands?
The reason that the black comedy movie is filmed across two different locations is because Martin McDonagh wanted to highlight the sheer difference between the two main characters, their personalities and their surroundings.
