
When you think of Ireland Harry Potter might not be the first thing that comes to your mind. So, if you wonder where was Harry Potter filmed in Ireland or you just look for Harry Potter things to do in Ireland then this post will have you covered with all the information that you need.
Table of Contents
- 1 Are there Harry Potter Ireland filming locations?
- 2 So where was Harry Potter filmed in Ireland?
- 4 How was the Cliffs of Moher Harry Potter scene shot?
- 5 Why is this Harry Potter Cliffs of Moher scene so special?
- 6 Are there any other Irish connections in Harry Potter?
- 7 Are there any other Harry Potter locations in Ireland?
Are there Harry Potter Ireland filming locations?

Yes, you bet! There are two Harry Potter filming locations in Ireland which where mixed together via CGI so that it looks like one location. They were used for the backdrop of a very crucial scene in “Harry Potter and the Half – Blood Prince”. Additionally, in terms of cinematography, how the music, lighting and camera angles build up to a dramatic crescendo, it is one of the best scenes in all of the Harry Potter films. Curious which scene in the Harry Potter movies it might be and where exactly it was filmed and why? Then keep on reading…
So where was Harry Potter filmed in Ireland?

There are two Harry Potter filming locations in Ireland – The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and Lemon Rock in County Kerry:
1) The Cliffs of Moher on the West Coast of Ireland. When you see the Cliffs of Moher Harry Potter might not be the first thing that comes to your mind. These sea cliffs in County Clare on the Wild Atlantic Way are among the most stunning cliffs in the world rising about 120 m (700 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean. They are one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions (about 1,5 million tourists travel here to enjoy this breath-taking view every year!).
If you visit them, you will surely be amazed. Seeing the cliffs in real life is a treat! Particularly on clear days, you can take a walk along them and are able to see the Aran Islands and mountain ranges such as the Maumturks and the Twelve Pins in County Galway and Loop Head in County Clare. But even if you visit the Cliffs of Moher on a cloudy or rainy day (the best views are of you walk along the cliffs from Doolin or Doonagore), it is quite a sight, as the crashing Atlantic waves and the sheer magnitude of these cliffs take your breath away!
And if it is really lashing rain, you can always head to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience. This is a visitor centre that will tell why the Cliffs are so important in terms of flora, fauna, geology and history.
2) The other location is Lemon Rock in County Kerry on the Iveragh peninsula. This is the third island of the Skelligs and is sometimes forgotten next to the more famous Little Skellig and Skellig Michael (now famously known as the refuge of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars). It is a rock about 20 meters (65 feet) above sea level and forms a perfect straight line with the other two bigger rocks.
Which Harry Potter scene was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher & Lemon Rock?

It is the scene in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” (the sixth movie in the Harry Potter franchise) in which Harry and Dumbledore venture to a cave in order to destroy a horcrux. It is a scene of epic dimension, in which Harry realises that there is no turning back from extreme danger and even death.
When Dumbledore tells Harry that “the place to which we journey tonight is extremely dangerous” and that “you must obey every command I give you without question,” we know that it is getting serious. Dumbledore continues: “Should I tell you to hide, you hide. Should I tell you to run, you run. Should I tell you to abandon me and save yourself, you must do so. Your word, Harry.” Absolute goosebumps material!
The way it builds up is fantastically shot. After these words, Harry takes Dumbledore’s arm and the apparate from Hogwarts. Via a fantastic long shot, the camera semi-circles around Harry and Dumbledore, who are perched on the top of a little rock (Lemon Rock in Kerry) that looks onto the majestic Cliffs of Moher from almost sea level height. Dramatic music, the clashing of raging, frothy Atlantic waves and a gloomy light make this scene truly spectacular. Next we see Dumbledore focussing onto what appears to be a huge cave in the towering cliffs.
The scene cuts abruptly and we find ourselves with Harry and Dumbledore in the cave and listen with awe to Dumbledore’s words of wisdom, “This is the place. Oh, yes. This place has known magic.” And magic it is, for sure. At least when you know that the film has achieved what nobody has achieved before: to translocate a little Kerry rock and place it in front of the Cliffs of Moher.
How was the Cliffs of Moher Harry Potter scene shot?
If you wonder how this scene was shot: Of course Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Gambon filmed their part in a London studio and were put onto the rock via CGI. Most of the filming was done from boat and from helicopter (remember, this was filmed in September 2007, way before filming drones became popular…). The filming of the scene took about a week.
Why is this Harry Potter Cliffs of Moher scene so special?
Next to the spectacular cinematography, which makes it one of the best Harry Potter scenes, and the fact that the scene is pretty important for “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”, this is the only scene that was filmed outside the United Kingdom. So when it comes to Harry Potter filming locations Ireland is the only country outside the UK that can boast a scene! I bet you didn’t know that!
Maybe this just highlights the magnitude of the Cliffs of Moher. Katherine Webster, Director of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience believes that the Cliffs of Moher were chosen for the movie, because “what sets the cliffs apart from many of the others is how sheer they are” (See this website for more info). The filmmakers wanted something absolutely grand, something that would leave viewers in awe. The Cliffs of Moher are the perfect place for this! If you watch the movie, you get a feeling for the grandeur of one of the most stunning cliffs in the world!
Are there any other Irish connections in Harry Potter?

Yes, absolutely! The entire Harry Potter world is riddled with Irish connections.
Irish actors: There are many Irish actors, who play crucial roles. Alphabetically, just to name a few: Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart, Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Granger, Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore in the last six movies, Brendan Gleeson as Mad-Eye Moody, his son Domhnall Gleeson as Bill Weasley, Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore (in the first film and the second film), Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood, Devon Murray as Seamus Finnigan and Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley.
Quidditch: If you believe it or not, Ireland is very successful in the Quidditch world and even won the 422nd Quidditch World Cup against Bulgaria in 1994. As the other teams from the British Isles (England, Scotland and Wales) had already been knocked out in the tournament, the Hogwarts boys cheered for the Irish Quidditch team. By the way, the mascots of the Irish team are leprechauns. The team Ballycastle Bats from Northern Ireland are the second most successful team in the Quidditch League of Britain and Ireland.
Irish magical creatures: There are loads of Irish creatures in the books, many of which can also be found in Irish mythology. Just to name two: a Banshee, which is a female spirit who wails in a most uncanny way and thus heralds the death of a family member and leprechauns, which are little fairy creatures (often men), which take part in mischief.
Are there any other Harry Potter locations in Ireland?

Yes! There is lots of Harry Potter stuff going on in Ireland. There is for example a Harry Potter Dublin connection! In fact, hardcore Harry Potter fans will be delighted to hear that there is not only a annual massive Harry Potter Convention, the Dublin Wizard Con (for news and tickets visit their website).
The capital also has its very own Harry Potter themed bar: The Cauldron Dublin should be on the list for all Harry Potter fans (over the age of 18 years). This new pop-up cocktail bar is located at The Liquor Rooms beneath The Clarence Hotel. Here you can take part in a magical experience to brew drinkable potions with a magic wand. So if you have some time to spare (the interactive workstation that includes a welcome drink takes about 2 hours), why don’t you check out this fun and immersive Harry Potter Dublin bar.
By the way, if you are looking for more unusual sites in Dublin, check out our post.
There is also a Harry Potter Northern Ireland connection: The Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliff recently explored his Northern Irish Heritage (his father for example grew up in Banbridge in County Down) on BBC’s programme Who Do You Think You Are?
Additionally, there is also a little gem for Harry Potter fans in Belfast city. Similar to The Cauldron in Dublin, there is an immersive themed Harry Potter bar: The Cursed Goblet in The Parlour Bar on Elmwood Avenue. Here visitors can be apprentices to Professor Phileas Fisherwick who has gathered all kinds of magical ingredients for his potions by travelling by train all around Ireland. However, he has been cursed and needs help now to break the spell by coming up with the right potion. This is a festival for the senses and a lot of fun.
There is even more magic in Ireland, maybe more than you think. Keith from The Irish Road Trip came up with a great list of places that are Harry Potter-esk: a castle that could be Gryffindor Tower, a prison that could be Azkaban and so on. Check out his cool post here.
FAQs
Were any Harry Potter scenes filmed in Ireland? ›
Oh, yes. This place has known magic.”, and magic it most definitely is – bringing two parts of Ireland together in one incredible scene. For true Harry Potter fans, visiting the Cliffs of Moher and Lemon Rock, the two Harry Potter filming locations in Ireland, is a rite of passage on your trip to the Emerald Isle.
Which Irish landmark was featured in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? ›Cliffs Of Moher.
Not only are the Cliffs Of Moher Ireland's most-visited natural attraction, they are also the filming location for a scene in Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince. The cliffs are featured in a scene where Harry and Dumbledore apparate on the shore of some sea cliffs and enter a cave to find a horcrux.
Now, while only one scene from the movies was filmed in Ireland, there's a load of places that look like scenes from the movie. I love the Harry Potter series – always have, always will.
Was the Goblet of Fire filmed in Ireland? ›Steall Falls, at the base of Ben Nevis, is the locale for the Triwizard Tournament in The Goblet of Fire. Other scenes filmed in the Highlands include a desolate hillside with Hagrid's stone hut in Glencoe, which was the main location for outdoor filming in The Prisoner of Azkaban.
Did Ireland win the Quidditch World Cup? ›The Irish National Quidditch Team was a national Quidditch team representing Ireland. They won the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, beating Bulgaria in the final. The mascots of the team were Leprechauns.
Where is Hogwarts in real life? ›Harry Potter fans now know the exact location of an American Hogwarts, but the real one exists in England. Alnwick Castle stood in for the famed wizarding school in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Why are Cliffs of Moher famous? ›The Cliffs of Moher are a recognizable landmark on the big screen for many movies, TV series, music videos and adverts. One of the biggest and most recent movies filmed at the Cliffs of Moher are Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Princess Bride, The Yank, Into the West and The Mackintosh Man.
Where is Hogwarts lake filmed? ›Loch Shiel
The Loch has been used as the backdrop of Hogwarts School of Wizarding in several of the films and, is the location of the Black Lake in The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince.
The University College Cork (UCC) is a self-proclaimed 'Hogwarts of Ireland', which is a well-deserved title since they really take their Potter lore seriously.
Is Weasley Irish? ›The Weasleys are a British family, not Irish.
Why is Dumbledore Irish? ›
Trailers from entertainment.ie. Gambon was born in Cabra, Dublin and lived amongst Irish emigrants in Camden Town, London, where his family moved to when he was five years old.
Who is Irish in Harry Potter? ›...
Filmography.
Year | 2001 |
---|---|
Title | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone |
Role | Seamus Finnigan |
Notes | Released as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US. |
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (/ˈhɒɡwɔːrts/) is a fictional British boarding school of magic for students aged eleven to eighteen, and is the primary setting for the first six books in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and serves as a major setting in the Wizarding World universe.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Ireland? ›Filming of seasons one to eight took place in around 25 locations around Northern Ireland including Titanic Studios in Belfast, Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay, Ballintoy Harbour, Larrybane, Antrim plateau, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey and Downhill Strand.
Was Lord of the Rings filmed in Ireland? ›Where was Lord of the Rings filmed? The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand. Filming locations spanned more than 150 locations in both the North and the South Islands.
Who won the 422 Quidditch World Cup? ›The 422nd Quidditch World Cup saw Ireland defeat Bulgaria 170-160 in the Final, but is most remembered for the riot that occurred afterwards. The riot broke out when a large group of Death Eaters stormed the campsite, destroying everything in their path, torturing Muggles and Muggle-borns alike.
Which Quidditch team is Irish? ›Although it is within Europe, the Irish team Kenmare Kestrels play Quidditch in the British and Irish League.
How many died at Quidditch World Cup? ›So no Muggles were killed, and the Death Eaters didn't have an interest in killing anyone else. The only permanent victims of the attack were the surrounding tents. Once or twice Harry saw one of the marchers blast a tent out of his way with his wand. Several caught fire.
Is there a real school like Hogwarts? ›Trinity-Pawling School, New York
Although Trinity-Pawling is an all-boys school, you'll find some features that resemble the magical Hogwarts campus within its large 230-acre campus overlooking the scenic Hudson River Valley.
Students routinely attend Hogwarts for seven years — unless you are Harry Potter and his two best friends, who blew off their senior year. But who actually pays the cost of attending? @emmalineonline1 @micnews There's no tuition fee! The Ministry of Magic covers the cost of all magical education!
Can you visit the real Hogwarts Castle? ›
Since 2012, visitors have been able to explore the real sets. A special attraction is the giant model of Hogwarts - the Harry Potter castle - actually used in the film. It's a model - so you can't stroll through it of course, but you can wander around these extraordinary sets: The Great Hall.
What does Moher mean in Irish? ›The name Moher comes from Gaelic (like everything else in Ireland). It means “ruined fort” . The Cliffs of Moher actually means the cliffs of the ruined fort.
How do you pronounce Moher? ›How to Pronounce Moher? (CORRECTLY) - YouTube
How many people have lost their lives at the Cliffs of Moher? ›Overall, 66 deaths occurred on or at the base of the Cliffs of Moher during the period 1993 through August 2017. In total, 18 (27.3%) of the victims were international visitors to Ireland, including 11 males (61.1%). The mean age of travellers (n = 17) was 34.2 years.
Where is Dumbledores grave? ›Harry Potter Location: Dumbledore's Grave
Eilean na Moine Island in the loch was used as Dumbledore's grave; it was filmed, then digitally placed in Loch Arkaig. Loch Eilt is a freshwater loch in Lochaber in the West Highlands.
Loch Shiel was the reported location of the Great Lake. The lake is known as "The Black Lake".
What school is Hogwarts based on? ›But it's George Heriot's School, in the city center, that's generally accepted as the chief inspiration for Hogwarts. The school is just around the corner from the The Elephant House and looks straight out of a fairy-tale.
Is there a magic school in Ireland? ›Erehnoll, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, simply known as Erehnoll or Castle Erehnoll is a magical school located in northwestern Ireland.
Is Harvard like Hogwarts? ›Just like at Hogwarts, Harvard students are sorted into different upperclassmen Houses after freshman year (though we have expedited the process by using a Housing Lottery rather than making everyone try on an old hat).
Is Harry Potter popular in Ireland? ›Twenty-two years after the publication of the first book in the series, Harry Potter is still one of the most beloved literary franchises in Ireland.
Who killed Fred Weasley? ›
In 1998, Fred participated in the Battle of Hogwarts, defending the castle's passageways with his twin. While fighting alongside his brother, Percy, he was killed in an explosion possibly caused by Death Eater Augustus Rookwood.
Why the Weasleys are poor? ›Arthur Weasley was head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. The kids were at Hogwarts most of the time so they weren't spending any money while at school.
Did Bill and Fleur have a baby? ›Following the war, Bill and Fleur had three children, Victoire, Dominique and Louis Weasley Victoire was born on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, thus her name, which means 'victory' in French.
Why is Dumbledore's hand Black? ›After Dumbledore returned to Hogwarts, he used Godric Gryffindor's Sword to crack the Resurrection Stone so as to destroy it as a Horcrux. While the act did destroy the ring as one of Riddle's Horcruxes, it did not stop the fatal curse. The curse gave Dumbledore's hand a withered black look, as though it had died.
Is Dumbledore English or Irish? ›Thanks! Dumbledore is an English character and will have been played with an English accent.
What accent has Dumbledore got? ›However, throughout the Harry Potter films, Dumbledore seemingly possesses a slight Irish accent, most notably in Gambon's portrayal of the character.
Is Lupin a Welsh? ›Probably one of the loveliest characters, JK Rowling revealed that Lupin was in fact Welsh. Remus' father, Lyall, was on an investigative trip into a dense Welsh forest when he ran across his future wife Hope Howell, a beautiful Muggle girl who worked in an insurance office in Cardiff.
Do Irish kids go to Hogwarts? ›Magical education
Northern Irish witches and wizards had the option to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Scotland, as the school accepted students from Britain as well as Ireland.
Some time around the end of his fifth year, Dean became romantically involved with Ginny Weasley and the two continued dating well into his sixth year.
What are the 11 wizarding schools? ›- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Scotland)
- Beauxbatons Academy of Magic (France)
- Castelobruxo (Central Brazil)
- Durmstrang Institute (Northern Europe)
- Ilvermorny (Eastern North America)
- Mahoutokoro School of Magic (Japan)
- Uagadou School of Magic (Uganda)
How can I join Hogwarts? ›
How do you enroll at Hogwarts online? To enroll for the free first-year classes at Hogwarts online, you need to sign up on the website. Once you do that, you will select your Hogwarts house there is no Sorting Hat, but you get to choose any of the four houses Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin.
Do wizarding schools exist? ›There are eleven long-established and prestigious wizarding schools worldwide, all of which are registered with the International Confederation of Wizards.
Where in Ireland is Winterfell? ›Winterfell Castle & Demesne, located just 40 minutes from Belfast, was used extensively for the filming of George RR Martin's epic adaption of Game of Thrones® novels.
Which castle is Winterfell? ›Game of Thrones was filmed across a variety of landscapes in Northern Ireland. The historic farmyard at Castle Ward is the location of Winterfell, the famous backdrop for the series pilot and much of season one.
Where is King's Landing in real-life? ›In an interview for HBO, 'Game of Thrones' star Conleth Hill confirmed that the exteriors of King's Landing were filmed in Croatia white the interiors were filmed in Northern Ireland. However, the King's Landing gates are in Malta and the road from the landing, the Dark Hedges, are in Northern Ireland.
Is Ireland Middle-earth? ›You may not know this, but JRR Tolkien used parts of Scotland, Northern England and Ireland as inspiration for the setting for Middle-Earth. Although New Zealand was the primary location for filming the outdoor scenes in the series, we still think there's plenty of places here that look similar.
Is Rohan a real place? ›Rangitata Valley, South Island
In the South Island's Rangitata Valley area, you'll find the dramatic scenery of Rohan, as seen in The Two Towers, on the real-life grassy outcropping called Mt. Sunday.
It seems that when he was approached by a comment saying their was a Celtic influence to some of his work, he grew rather defensive. I personally always thought that hobbits seemed to be rather Irish influence. Here's the quote on the page: "Needless to say they are not Celtic! Neither are the tales.
Is there a Hogwarts in Ireland? ›The University College Cork (UCC) is a self-proclaimed 'Hogwarts of Ireland', which is a well-deserved title since they really take their Potter lore seriously.
Was Game of Thrones filmed in Ireland? ›Filming of seasons one to eight took place in around 25 locations around Northern Ireland including Titanic Studios in Belfast, Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay, Ballintoy Harbour, Larrybane, Antrim plateau, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey and Downhill Strand.
What TV shows were filmed in Ireland? ›
- Game of Thrones (2011 - 2019) ...
- Braveheart (1995) ...
- Saving Private Ryan (1998) ...
- Vikings (2013 -2019 ) ...
- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009) ...
- The Tudors (2007 - 2010) ...
- The Princess Bride (1987) ...
- Ryan's Daughter (1970)