This movie gives you a sneak peak into life on Ireland’s Aran Islands in the early 1900s. People were very isolated from the rest of the world. Even today, the only way to get to the islands is by ferry. This movie takes place in 1923 on the fictional island of Inisherin. The name may be fictional but the island is not. So where was the Banshees of Inisherin filmed?
Where Was The Banshees of Inisherin Filmed?
The Banshees of Inisherin was filmed entirely on the west coast of Ireland. Inishmore is one of the Aran Islands which serves as the set for most of the movie. Other locations are Keem Bay, Achill, County Mayo, Achill Island (Colm’s cottage and the village) and Atlantic Drive in Achill (J.J. Devine Pub).
What was The Banshees of Inisherin All About?
This is the story of two lifelong friends, Padraic and Colm, who see each other every day. In fact, they go for pints everyday at 2 o’clock. Padraic decides he no longer wants to be friends with Colm. He finds him too boring.
It’s all quite sudden and Colm cannot understand what he has said or done to provoke such a strong reaction from his best friend. The more Colm persists in maintaining the friendship, the more Padraic retreats. In fact, Padraic takes drastic measures to convince Colm that they no longer have a friendship.
Banshees are part of the romantic folklore of Ireland. They are best described as mystical old women wearing cloaks. It is said that if you hear one scream it means that someone is going to die. The Banshee in this movie is Mrs. McCormick who predicts two deaths.
Who Was In The Cast?
The main cast included:
- Colin Farrell
- Brendan Gleeson
- Kerry Condon
- Barry Keoghan
- Sheila Flitton
- and Pat Short
Colm Farrell and Brendan Gleeson first worked together on the movie, In Bruges. They have been friends ever since.
Who Directed The Banshees of Inisherin?
This movie was directed by Martin McDonagh who is also a writer and playwright. He was born to Irish parents but raised in London. His previous work includes Six Shooter that also starred Brendan Gleeson, Seven Psychopaths, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Did The Movie Receive Any Awards?
The Banshees of Inisherin received a number of awards including the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture, Best Actor (Colin Farrell), Best Screenplay (Martin McDonagh).
Technical Information
Most of the filming of this movie takes place outdoors. The camera used was the Arri Alexa Mini LF with Arri Signature Prime lenses.
Fun Facts About The Banshees of Inisherin
Inishmore is the largest of the Aran Islands. The island is only 12 square miles with a population of around 1,500 people.
The Aran Islands are part of the Gaeltacht where Gaelic is the main spoken language but most people speak English as well.
The fictional name of the island in the movie suits it perfectly. In Gaelic, ‘Inish’ means island and ‘Erin’ means Ireland. So the translation means ‘Island of Ireland.’
The only way to get to the island is by ferry from Galway. Trash is collected via ferry as well. Turns out that the locals on Inishmore were quite concerned about the amount of trash that would be produced as a result of filming, etc. In order to keep the locals happy, the director, Martin McDonagh, had to convince them that all trash would be removed at the expense of the production company. And he kept his word.
Can You Visit the Set of The Banshees of Inisherin?
It should be noted that the island of Inisherin is fictional. However, you can certainly visit Inishmore, the Aran Islands and Achill Island. Houses are available to rent and are quite reasonably priced. House rentals are between €300 and €500 per month depending on the time of year.
What is Ireland Famous For?
When most people think of Ireland they think of Guinness, potatoes, St. Patrick’s Day, and the lively ceilis (kay-lees) or Irish dances. These dances originated in the 1500’s and are still popular today. They are a great tourist attraction along with the traditional music (called trads) where you can find people dancing to jigs and reels.
Ireland has a rugged beauty that can be found not only in Ireland but also in Scotland, Wales and Northern England. There are still remote areas that are untouched by modern technology.
Unique Places in Ireland
If I had to pick a place you should definitely see, it would be Connemara. In fact, each time we’ve had visitors, Galway and Connemara are always on the list. Here are some places to check out:
- Kylemore Abbey
- Cliffs of Moher
- The Brazen Head
- Dublin Castle
- Newgrange
- Giant’s Causeway
- The Brazen Head is Dublin’s oldest pub.
Back to 1198 it was a hostelry before it became an Inn in 1754.
If you plan to visit Connemara, you’ll see plenty of sheep and turf drying in stacks. Sheep are usually the cause for any ‘traffic jams’ since they essentially own the area. You are merely a guest. You can always stop off at Kylemore Abbey for a bite to eat. If you’re lucky the Abbey will be open and you can take a tour.
Things to Do in Ireland
Ireland is a small country with only 5 million people. You can drive from Dublin to Galway in just a few hours. If you are driving north to south, that will take only about 6 hours depending on traffic.
Some places to visit include:
- Guinness Storehouse
- Trinity College
- Dublin Castle
- Book of Kells
- Rock of Cashel
- Killarney National Park
- Kinsale
Ireland is steeped in history and you’ll notice the old world charm wherever you go. So be sure to take your time if you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there such a place as Inisherin?
No. Inisherin is a fictional island in Ireland. The real name of the island is Inishmore. It is one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland.
Are Banshees Scottish or Irish?
Banshees are part of Irish folklore. The name means “woman of the fairy mound.” She’s a female spirit who screams or wails when death is near.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to visit Ireland, plan to dress in layers no matter what time of year. I once asked a taxi driver if Ireland gets four seasons. His reply was that you can get them all in one day! The best time to visit Ireland is between June and September. It’s also the most expensive time to visit Ireland.
The west coast of Ireland is definitely worth a visit. And you can take the ferry out to the Aran Islands from Rossaveel Port in Connemara. Advanced booking is required. Rent a bike and spend the day out there or just walk around. There’s plenty to enjoy!
