Donegal ranks fifth in Ireland’s top horror filming locations, study finds

A new study has found that Donegal is the fifth most common horror movie filming location in Ireland.

The research by Virgin Media has revealed which parts of the country have hosted the most spine-tingling shoots, uncovering the Irish counties that crop up most often in horror and thriller films.

To do this, the team analysed 100 horror movies filmed in Ireland, using IMDb data to identify and compile the primary filming locations for each production.

Coming in fifth place is Donegal, which has featured in an impressive six horror films. Ahead are Dublin in first place with 24 films and Wicklow in second with 18. Cork is in third with eight films, and Galway is fourth with eight as well.

Donegal’s dramatic cliffs and wild terrain bring beauty and dread together. Titles like The Farmer and the Devil and Grabbers show how the county’s sheer isolation adds a sinister twist, whether the monsters are supernatural or straight from the sea.

The Virgin Media team analysed 100 horror movies filmed in Ireland, using IMDb data to identify and compile the primary filming locations for each production, revealing the top haunted filming hotspots across the country.