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Ireland's film industry is having a moment.

From John Wayne on Cong's village green to Netflix's biggest shows filming right now — Ireland has quietly become one of the world's busiest production hubs. Here's what's actually happening, on real Irish soundstages, this year.

Screen Ireland reports that 29 Screen Ireland-supported projects have gone into production this year alone, with more than 25 further projects expected before the end of 2026 — described by the agency as "exceptionally strong" activity. A big part of the story is the Section 481 tax credit, which has made Ireland a genuinely competitive destination against the UK and mainland Europe for major international productions, on top of Ireland's own thriving domestic film scene.

For the diaspora, this isn't just industry news — it's a live connection to home. Irish faces, Irish crews, and Irish landscapes are showing up on some of the biggest screens in the world right now, often filmed a few miles from where your own family is from.

Filming right now

Currently in production

Production details current as of September 2026 — productions wrap and new ones begin all the time.

The studios

Where it all gets made

Bray, Co. Wicklow

Ardmore Studios

Ireland's most historic studio, running for over 60 years. Home to Braveheart, My Left Foot, Excalibur, The Tudors, Penny Dreadful and The Green Knight — 14 Oscars' worth of productions have passed through its stages.

Limerick

Troy Studios

Ireland's largest studio at 350,000 sq ft, based in Castletroy. Has hosted Netflix's Nightflyers and Apple TV+'s Foundation.

Co. Wicklow

Ashford Studios

Currently home to two major productions at once: Netflix's Wednesday Season 3, and Viking drama Blood Axe for Prime Video.

Screen legends

The classics that started it all

The Quiet Man (1952)

John Ford's classic, starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Barry Fitzgerald, was filmed almost entirely around Cong on the Mayo/Galway border — Ashford Castle and Lettergesh Beach both feature. Cong remains little changed since filming, right down to Pat Cohan's Bar.

Ryan's Daughter (1970)

David Lean's epic, starring Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles and John Mills (who won an Oscar for it), was filmed on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry — the entire fictional village of Kirrary was built from scratch near Dunquin.

The Field (1990)

Jim Sheridan's adaptation of John B. Keane's play, starring Richard Harris (Oscar-nominated), John Hurt and Brenda Fricker, was shot almost entirely around Leenane in Connemara — the pub used in the film still trades today as "The Field Bar."

Behind the scenes

The industry that supports it all

Every production needs props, costumes, crew and locations — Ireland's supporting industry is a real, growing business in its own right.

Feature your business here Props, costume, crew, locations or studio services — get in touch to advertise to the diaspora audience following Irish film