Did you know that the Boyne Valley has been the location for many movies down through the years? The rich historic landscape, unspoiled beauty and friendly people lend itself to the perfect filming location. When visiting the region why not take in some of these famous sites and enjoy movie mania in the Boyne Valley!
Braveheart
Possibly one of the most famous movies to have hit theatres all around the world. This 1995 historical drama film was directed and co-produced by Mel Gibson who also starred in the movie. Most of the filming was based around Trim Castle and all the major battle scenes were shot in Ireland using members of the Irish Army Reserve as extras. Memorabilia from the filming can be found today in Trim Visitor Centre.
The Last Duel
One of the last movies to be shot in the Boyne Valley was Ridley Scotts Last Duel. Bective Abbey as well as Bective bridge were used for the movie bringing lots of excitement to Meath. The movie starred Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jodie Comer.
Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane was a 2007 biographical romantic drama film directed by Julian Jarrold. It depicts the early life of the British author Jane Austen and her lasting love for Thomas Langlois Lefroy. American actress Anne Hathaway stared as the title character, while her romantic interest was played by Scottish actor James McAvoy. Scenes at Steventon rectory were filmed in Higginsbrook House, a few miles off Trim in County Meath.
Northanger Abbey
Before being used for Becoming Jane, Higginsbrook House was used in the filming of Northanger Abbey. Northanger Abbey was one of three novels adapted for ITV's Jane Austen season. It was shot on location in Ireland from late August 2006 on a budget of £2 million. The house served as the exterior to the Morland family's home in the movie.
The Crying Game
The opening scenes for Neil Jordan's “The Crying Game” were filmed in Laytown, County Meath. The bridge for the train as you come into the town is recognisable behind the fun fair. Pat Burns, a photographer in the area, remembers his work as station foreman in Laytown train station. “My part was to ring signalman Michael Meegan in Mosney Station to find out when the next trains would be passing over the railway bridge, so that the director would know what time-gap they had for filming between trains”
Artemis Foul
Artemis Fowl is a British American science fantasy film, which released on May 29, 2020. The film is based on the 2001 novel, which goes by the same name, and was written by Irish author Eoin Colfer. While most of the movie was filmed in Northern Ireland, Vietnam and Taiwan, the movie also used our very own Hill of Tara!
Casino Royale (1967)
The first novel to feature the character James Bond- Casino Royale was filmed in the most part at Killeen Castle in County Meath in 1966. The location of M's Scottish castle. The film had a number of actors play Bond including David Niven, Woody Allen, and Peter Sellers, and also had six directors. John Huston directed scenes shot in Ireland at Killeen Castle.
Cal
Cal was a 1984 Irish drama film directed by Pat O'Connor and starring John Lynch and Helen Mirren. Based on the novel “Cal” written by Bernard MacLaverty who also wrote the script, the film was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, where Mirren won the award for Best Actress. Most of the movie was filmed in Drogheda in locations around the town, including Barrack Street and St. Finian's Park.
Do your research before your next trip to the Boyne Valley and add all of these great locations to your itinerary. The best way to find out about all the great movie locations is to organise a trip with many of our tour guides in the area. Contact Micheal in Boyne Valley Tours, Derek in Custom Irish Tours. You will find all our local tour companies here.
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