From Oscar winners to homegrown heroes, Northern Ireland has produced some of the world’s most celebrated actors - and the landscapes that shaped them. This collection of film and TV locations celebrates the talent born and bred on this island, each stop offering a glimpse into the places that inspired unforgettable performances. From Cillian Murphy’s transformation in Breakfast on Pluto to Liam Neeson’s quiet power in Ordinary Love, these suggestions invite you to explore where the stories - and the stars - began, shining a spotlight on Northern Ireland’s thriving screen legacy.
Follow in the Footsteps of Northern Ireland’s Screen Stars
Start: Cillian Murphy & Stephen Rea - Breakfast on Pluto | Belfast - Crumlin Road Gaol
Begin your journey in Belfast at the evocative Crumlin Road Gaol, where Breakfast on Pluto was filmed. This surreal, darkly comic drama stars Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy as Patrick ‘Kitten’ Braden, whose journey of self-discovery is brought to life through a magnetic and transformative performance. Starring alongside him, Stephen Rea, a BAFTA Award winner and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee, brings his trademark depth to the film, further elevating its impact. The former prison’s grand yet haunting halls add atmosphere to the story, reflecting themes of identity, belonging, and resilience that resonate far beyond the screen.
Nearby check out: McConnell’s Distillery, Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall
Stop 2: Kneecap – Kneecap | Belfast - Gaeltacht Quarter
Head to the Falls Road in the Gaeltacht Quarter of West Belfast , where the band Kneecap brought their anarchic energy and sharp wit to the big screen in Kneecap. The film follows the rise of the Northern Irish rap trio Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, mixing satire, rebellion and music in a story rooted in language, identity and place. Bursting with raw authenticity, it’s a love letter to both the Irish language and the city itself. Kneecap has already won a BAFTA and seven British Independent Film Awards, as well as a place on the 2025 Academy Awards shortlist, cementing its place as a groundbreaking moment in Irish cinema.
Nearby check out: Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Áras Uí Chonghaile (James Connolly Visitor Centre), Belfast City Cemetery
Stop 3: Ian McElhinney - Game of Thrones® | Tollymore Forest
Head south to Tollymore Forest, where HBO’s global phenomenon Game of Thrones® filmed its very first scenes. It was here, among the ancient woodland and atmospheric trails, that audiences were introduced to the Starks of Winterfell. Northern Ireland’s own Ian McElhinney brought gravitas and quiet strength to the role of Ser Barristan Selmy, one of the most noble knights of the Seven Kingdoms. Beyond Westeros, McElhinney continues to be a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s screen story. His most recent credits include Derry Girls, Bloodlands, The Last Rifleman, Zoo, The Deceived and Mrs Wilson. Other standout productions such as The Fall, Bad Day for the Cut, The Journey, City of Ember and Closing the Ring, along with The Frankenstein Chronicles, The Truth Commissioner, Krypton and Dave Allen at Peace, further highlight his remarkable range. Together, these roles showcase not only his versatility but also the breadth of Northern Ireland talent making its mark on screens worldwide.
Nearby check out: Newcastle Beach, Mourne Mountains,Castle Ward
Stop 4: Michelle Fairley - Game of Thrones® | Inch Abbey
Travel onwards to the serene ruins of Inch Abbey, just outside Downpatrick. This monastic site doubled as Riverrun in Game of Thrones®, where Michelle Fairley, as Catelyn Stark, delivered some of her most powerful scenes. The setting is cinematic, sweeping greenery and ancient stone, nestled by the River Quoile. Alongside her role in HBO’s epic, Fairley narrated the Academy Award winning Northern Ireland short film An Irish Goodbye and starred in the acclaimed feature film Philomena.
Nearby check out: Down County Museum, The Saint Patrick Centre, Silent Valley
Stop 5: Ciarán Hinds - The Shore | Killough
Travel on to Killough, a quiet fishing village that became the setting for The Shore, the Oscar-winning short film starring Ciarán Hinds. Written and directed by Belfast-born Terry George, the story explores friendship and reconciliation after decades of separation, with the village harbour and coastline providing a natural stage. The authenticity of Killough’s landscape gives the film its heart, grounding its emotional story firmly in place. Hinds has also appeared in other local productions, including Mickybo and Me and Closing the Ring, further cementing his connection to the Northern Ireland’s screen legacy.
Nearby check out: Tyrella Beach, Down Cathedral & St Patrick’s Grave, Inch Abbey
Stop 6: Colin Farrell - Miss Julie | Castle Coole
Travel west to Fermanagh, where Colin Farrell starred alongside Jessica Chastain in the intense period drama Miss Julie. Set in 1890s Ireland, the film makes use of Fermanagh’s stately home of Castle Coole and its remote countryside, offering visitors a glimpse into a slower, moodier backdrop ideal for reflective travel. Farrell delivers a brooding and layered performance in this adaptation, a testament to the range that has seen him awarded a Golden Globe, among many other honours. Farrell also returned to Northern Ireland to star in Disney’s Artemis Fowl.
Nearby check out: Enniskillen Castle, Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre, Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
Stop 7: Siobhán McSweeney & Tara Lynne O’Neill - Derry Girls | Derry~Londonderry
Next, head northwest to the walled city of Derry~Londonderry where Derry Girls captured the humour, resilience, and spirit of the city during the 1990s. Siobhán McSweeney brought the unforgettable Sister Michael to life with dry wit and perfect timing, while Tara Lynne O’Neill shone as Ma Mary, grounding the Quinn family with warmth and humour. Both shine in this BAFTA and Emmy award winning comedy. When in the city, visit The Derry Girls Experience to step into the world of the show, celebrating its cultural impact with sets, props, and behind-the-scenes stories, and don’t forget to grab your selfie at the mural. Beyond Derry Girls, McSweeney has also appeared in Northern Ireland productions The Fall and Nowhere Special.
O’Neill has showcased her range across a diverse range of homegrown productions including The Fall, Line of Duty and The Most Fertile Man in Ireland, as well as Made in Belfast and A Patch of Fog. Her more recent roles in The Last Rifleman, The Spin and Hope Street underline her versatility across both film and television. Together, they represent the vibrancy and breadth of the talent on the island of Ireland.
Nearby check out: Museum of Free Derry, The Siege Museum, The Guildhall, Peacemakers Museum
Stop 8: Bronagh Gallagher – A Bump Along the Way | Derry~Londonderry
Staying in the city, Bronagh Gallagher starred in the heartfelt comedy A Bump Along the Way, filmed entirely in her home city. The film tells the story of a woman who unexpectedly becomes pregnant, blending humour and tenderness against the backdrop of the city’s streets. Gallagher’s career has spanned an impressive breadth worldwide, including Northern Ireland productions such as Shooting for Socrates, Made in Belfast, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Grabbers, The Most Fertile Man in Ireland and Derry Girls. Gallagher embodies the vibrancy and diversity of Northern Irish talent.
Nearby check out: Peace Bridge, City Walls, Ebrington, St Columb’s Cathedral
Stop 9: Pierce Brosnan - Four Letters of Love | Ballycastle
From Derry~Londonderry, travel east to the dramatic coastline of Ballycastle, here Pierce Brosnan starred alongside Helena Bonham Carter in the recent romantic drama Four Letters of Love. The town’s natural beauty, craggy shorelines, sea cliffs, and quiet charm provide the emotional backdrop for this poetic tale of destiny and connection. Brosnan also returned to Northern Ireland for The Last Rifleman, another recent production, cementing his ties to the area’s cinematic storytelling.
Nearby check out: Rathlin Island, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Glenariff Forest Park
Stop 10: Liam Neeson - Ordinary Love | Whitehead
Continue along the coast to Whitehead, where Ordinary Love brought Liam Neeson back to familiar ground. His role, opposite Lesley Manville, explores love, loss, and resilience with a quiet intimacy. Whitehead’s gentle seafront scenes complement the film’s emotional tone. In addition to Ordinary Love, Neeson made a memorable guest appearance in Derry Girls and also featured in Breakfast on Pluto, both filmed in Northern Ireland. Over his career, Neeson has been nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards, confirming his reputation as one of Ireland’s most respected actors.
Nearby check out: Whitehead Railway Museum, Glenarm Castle, Blackhead Lighthouse
Stop 11: Saoirse Ronan - City of Ember | Belfast - Cave Hill
Looping back toward Belfast, stop at Cave Hill Country Park, a cinematic site used in City of Ember. Starring a young Saoirse Ronan, this post-apocalyptic adventure blends science fiction with natural splendour, and Cave Hill’s misty silhouette gave the film its eerie final image. Ronan has since gone on to become one of Ireland’s most acclaimed actors, winning a Golden Globe Award and earning multiple Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominations.
Nearby check out: Titanic Belfast, Maritime Mile, St George’s Market, HMS Caroline
Final Stop: Adrian Dunbar, Jamie Dornan & Seamus O’Hara | Line of Duty, The Fall & Blue Lights | Belfast
Complete your journey back in Belfast, where three powerhouse performances shine. In Line of Duty, BAFTA nominated Adrian Dunbar brought grit and gravitas as Superintendent Ted Hastings, anchoring one of TV’s most acclaimed police dramas. Jamie Dornan unnerved audiences as Paul Spector in The Fall, a chilling psychological thriller filmed on the city’s streets. More recently, Seamus O’Hara starred in the BBC hit Blue Lights, a gripping drama following rookie officers navigating the pressures of frontline policing. Together, these productions turn Belfast itself into a vivid character, its streets and landmarks brimming with drama, tension, and unforgettable storytelling.
Dunbar also appeared in Mickybo and Me, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Mo and Good Vibrations, with BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Dornan also starring in Death and Nightingales. Alongside O’Hara’s appearance in Oscar and BAFTA winning productions, An Irish Goodbye and Blue Lights, his credits include Game of Thrones®, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, The Northman, Hope Street, Zoo and My Mother and Other Strangers. Collectively, their performances reflect Northern Ireland’s growing stature as a home for world-class drama and storytelling.
Nearby check out: Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Queen’s University, Belfast City Hall
Experience Northern Ireland like never before - step into the scenes, follow in the footsteps of its stars, and see where cinematic magic meets real-life beauty. Whether you’re a film fan or simply seeking inspiration, these locations invite you to explore, discover, and be part of the story.
