The new Netflix hit Irish Wish showcases many wonderful scenic locations in the East and West coast of Ireland, as well as the ‘craic’ (fun) that can be found throughout.
The plot follows the story of Maddie played by Lindsay Lohan: When the love of her life gets engaged to her best friend, Maddie puts her feelings aside to be a bridesmaid at their wedding in Ireland.
Days before the pair are set to marry, Maddie makes a spontaneous wish for true love, only to wake up as the bride-to-be.
With her dream seeming to come true, Maddie soon realizes that her real soulmate is someone else entirely.
Lindsay Lohan, whose family can trace their roots back to Italy and Ireland, jumped at the chance to explore this side of her heritage. “Ireland’s so beautiful,” she says.
“I’d never been, [but] my grandfather’s from there. We stayed in this little town called Dalkey. The people are so nice, and the Guinness pies were amazing.”
Much of the filming took place in County Wicklow on the East Coast of Ireland, a place that Ed Speleers who plays James Thomas in the film was excited to visit: “I knew we were going to Wicklow and, as I know that’s the Garden of Ireland, it was great having the opportunity to explore there – I spent a lot of time running up mountains and a lot of time exploring the local coastline and getting to know the people.
“It was a real treat. I had a lot of fun running up Djouce mountain.”
One of the key locations in the film was Kilruddery House, which doubles as the Kennedy Estate in the film and the location of the wedding.
The historic house provides a glimpse into Ireland’s rich heritage, with a sprawling estate, lush woodlands and exquisite gardens all available to visit.
The nearby Lough Tay was also a prominent location, and its stunning beauty is best seen from a hike up the Sally Gap where you can look down at the lake in all its spendour.
Powerscourt House and Gardens also appears in the film. With its awe-inspiring waterfall, majestic views and historic grand house, it has played a role in many of the films shot in Ireland, from Excalibur to Vikings to Disenchanted.
Whilst Powerscourt Distillery was used as double as a New York bar in the film, and where visitors can discover the traditional whiskey making process and sample award-winning artisanal Irish whiskeys.
Filming also took place in a number of locations in the West of Ireland.
The scale and the serenity of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare were used in the film for a point of reflection – a place where you can look out across the cliffs to the Atlantic Ocean, and where Maddie decides what she really wants from life.
Whilst the charming heritage town of Westport in County Mayo added colour to the wedding dress shopping scene.
Throughout the experience the cast and crew Lohan describes a convivial, friendly set — she and Ayesha Curry who plays Heather bonded on and off-screen, planning dinners, spa days, and movie nights. (“We watched Paranormal Activity,” Lohan says.)
Curry agreed on the welcoming nature of Ireland: “It’s just a warm place in general. Everybody’s full of love and community and you can feel that the moment you step foot on the land.
“I thought that was really special. The welcome was incredible, everybody was so warm and inviting. You can tell that people really love being from Ireland and there’s a pride that comes with that, and it rubs off pretty quickly.”
Ed Speelers added: “I think the people are lovely, they’ve got a great sense of humour that flows through the whole place. It’s got a great sense of community, people are very welcoming.
“You can talk to people about music quite quickly, or football quite quickly and people take you in. Everyone’s very keen to show you their local towns and local hotspots.”
When asked what ‘Filled Their Heart With Ireland’, Ayesha Curry said: “Honestly the most beautiful vistas and scenic views. There’s never a dull view, anywhere you go.”
Ed Speelers concurred: “It’s such a stunning country that offers up a little bit of everything for everybody.”
Irish Wish is available to watch on Netflix.
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