Walking Tours If you’re feeling sick of Valentine’s Day clichés and want the antithesis of a romantic film to watch, we’re here for you. We’ve put together a list of definitely not romantic films (where possible, we’ve gone for grim!) that were filmed in Connemara.
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Black 47
This bleak revenge film is set during the worst year of the Irish Famine and tells the story of a soldier who abandons his post to return to his home village. The Famine is not a topic that filmmakers often take on, and this film does it through a lone protagonist seeking vengeance, an Irish Western.
There’s plenty of violence, and of course the abject poverty, starving, suffering, trauma and oppression of the time. Even the colours of the film are grim, all washed out with muted tones. A feel good movie this is not. Which is why it’s number one on our list. The film is set in Connemara, and many of the scenes were filmed on location in the Maumturks. Another great thing about the film is that it’s mostly in the Irish language.
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The Guard
The Guard is a black comedy buddy-cop film with Brendan Gleeson as the rogue local sergeant in Connemara and Don Cunningham as a straight-laced FBI agent on the hunt for drug traffickers. The two main characters are opposites in every way and constantly clash. The dialogue is hilarious and very well written and there are a range of local characters and goings on that add to the multi-award winning film.
Filming took place throughout Connemara, with scenes in Lettermore, Lettermullan, Spiddal and Barna.
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Arracht
We did say the Famine isn’t a topic many filmmakers take on, yet here’s the second such entry on our list. Arracht is an Irish-language film with starkly beautiful cinematography, telling the story of a fisherman whose life is torn apart by the horrors of the Famine. It’s tense, atmospheric and deeply emotional. Absolutely not a comfort watch, but a powerful one.
Scenes were filmed around Cleggan, Omey Island and other coastal parts of Connemara, which give the film its haunting, windswept look.
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Death of a Ladies’ Man
Gabriel Byrne stars in this comedy drama about a man coming to terms with his life. The film is infused with Leonard Cohen songs and shot between Quebec in Canada and Connemara.
The film centres on a philandering professor who starts having bizarre hallucinations which leads to a brain tumour diagnosis. This causes him to take stock of his life, try to reconnect with family, and retreat to his native Ireland to write a novel.
Caveat - there are a few romantic elements to this film, but it’s more an existential crisis comedy than a romance!
5. The Field
No list of movies filmed in Connemara would be complete without The Field, the iconic film based on John B. Keane’s play about land, greed and tragedy.
It was filmed on location in and around Leenane. The village scenes all took place there and the pub scenes were filmed inside Gaynor’s. The famous waterfall scene in the film took place at Aasleagh Falls.
This is an ideal antidote to Valentine’s Day films so sit back and enjoy. Although there is a romantic subplot, it’s definitely not a romance film. Richard Harris’ performance as the Bull McCabe is incredible, and if you’re any way like ourselves you’ll be quoting the film for days afterwards.
6. Poitín
Released in 1978, Poitín was the first feature length Irish language film ever made. Shot entirely on-location in Connemara, it follows Michil, an illicit moonshiner making póitín - a notoriously strong homemade Irish spirit that was illegal at the time. When his batch goes missing, Michil has to confront the violent pair responsible. The film caused a public outcry on its first airing as some people felt this frank depiction of moral ambiguity was a disgrace.
Despite this, Poitín won many awards and today is considered a landmark in Irish cinema and a must-see on any Connemara film list!
It was filmed around the village of Carraroe and at Screebe Fishing Hut.
Although these films portray Connemara in a darker light, the locations are still stunning. Spending time outdoors with Connemara Adventure Tours gives you the chance to experience the landscapes that appear throughout these films. And if you want something fluffy after all of that, check out our list of Romantic Films that were shot in Connemara.