Travel Ireland through wind-cut cliffs, white-sand coves, and stone-walled islands that feel lifted from another century. If The Banshees of Inisherin left you dreaming of the film’s haunting landscape, these real locations in the west of Ireland are absolutely worth adding to your Ireland travel plans.
Although Inisherin itself is fictional, the movie was filmed across Achill Island in County Mayo and Inis Mór in the Aran Islands, County Galway. These places have become standout stops for Ireland tourism thanks to their dramatic scenery, strong local character, and the sense that every road, beach, and cliff edge tells its own story. For anyone building an Ireland travel itinerary, this route combines cinematic appeal with some of the best things to do Ireland can offer.
Travel Ireland to the real Banshees of Inisherin locations
The most talked-about filming location is Achill Island, Co Mayo, the largest of the Irish islands and one of the great Ireland holiday destinations for travelers who love raw Atlantic scenery. Linked to the mainland by bridge, Achill is ideal for Ireland road trips, scenic drives, and relaxed countryside escapes. Many of the movie’s outdoor scenes were shot here, and the pub seen in the film was purpose-built at Cloughmore for production.
Keem Bay, also on Achill, is one of the most visually striking spots in the film. Frequently praised among Ireland beach destinations, its curved bay, steep green hills, and bright water create one of those Ireland photography spots that looks unreal in person. It also served as the setting for Colm’s cottage and several of the movie’s most memorable beach scenes, including the ending.
Corrymore Lake, near Croaghaun Mountain on Achill, brought a darker mood to the screen. This remote lake setting was used for Mrs. McCormick’s cottage scenes and is a good reminder that Ireland adventure travel often rewards those willing to go a little farther off the main route.
Across Galway Bay, Inis Mór provided another major backdrop. The largest of the Aran Islands, it is one of the classic stops in any serious Ireland travel guide. Pádraic and Siobhán’s house was built in the Gort na gCapall area, and the island’s open stone fields, narrow roads, and sea views help explain why so many visitors now include it on Ireland trips and day tours from Galway travel hubs.
Then there is Dún Aonghasa, the ancient cliffside fort on Inis Mór. This is one of the most important Ireland sightseeing locations in the region and easily earns a place on an Ireland bucket list. Reached by a hill walk, it combines archaeology, mythology, and sheer Atlantic drama. Film fans will recognize it from scenes featuring Pádraic and Dominic near the cliffs.
How to plan an Ireland travel itinerary around these sites
If you want to travel Ireland with this film-inspired route, it works best as a 3- to 5-day west coast journey. It suits solo travel Ireland plans, couple escapes, or group trips Ireland visitors are building around the Wild Atlantic Way.
Suggested route
- Start in Galway travel country and take a ferry to Inis Mór
- Visit Dún Aonghasa and explore the island by bike or on foot
- Return to the mainland and drive north to Achill Island
- See Keem Bay, Cloughmore, and Corrymore Lake viewpoints
- Add nearby Ireland hiking trails or a Mayo coastal stay for an extended trip
Practical travel tips
- Book ferries and Ireland hotels early in summer
- Bring waterproof layers; Atlantic weather changes quickly
- Rent a car for flexibility, especially for Achill and surrounding scenic drives
- Visit early or late in the day for quieter photo conditions
- Pair this route with nearby Ireland day trips along the Wild Atlantic Way
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What makes these filming locations special is that they are not polished theme-park versions of Ireland. They are living landscapes: weathered, beautiful, and deeply local. You will find island roads, traditional pubs, cliff walks, and quiet viewpoints that feel just as powerful without the camera crew.
For travelers following Ireland tourism news and looking for fresh Ireland holiday ideas, this is a timely route to do now. The film continues to send visitors west, so going outside peak midday hours is a smart local tip, especially at Keem Bay and on Inis Mór ferries.
To travel Ireland well, follow the film’s map but leave room for detours. Stop for a beach walk, a ferry crossing, a village pub, or a longer scenic drive. These Banshees locations are more than movie sets—they are some of the most memorable places in Ireland travel, and a brilliant reminder that the country’s wild western edge still steals the show.
