Ashford Castle's Film & TV History

Dating back to 13th century, Ashford Castle has served a great many functions and roles throughout its history, and few of these are more intriguing than its use as a filming location. From Hollywood productions to modern period dramas, there’ve been no shortage of stories told within this magical place.

Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele

One of the first notable films shot at Ashford Castle was The Quiet Man (1951), starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Our picturesque estate served as the perfect setting for this iconic tale of love and conflict in rural Ireland. The estate’s rich landscapes and gorgeous architecture were immortalised in this beloved classic, sparking the castle's future as a sought-after filming location. The film is still regularly screened in our cinema today.

The Playboy of the Western World (1962), a film adaptation of the legendary Irish play by John Millington Synge, and The Purple Taxi (1977), a French-Irish-Italian production starring Charlotte Rampling, Peter Ustinov and Fred Astaire, further enhanced the estate’s relationship with the silver screen.

The Ashford Castle cinema

Ashford’s televisual history is more recent, yet no less illustrious. Remington Steele, an 80s detective drama starring Stephanie Zimbalist and Pierce Brosnan, brought elements of political intrigue and espionage within the castle walls. Most recently, The Tudors (2007-2010) and Reign (2013-2017) found in Ashford Castle, with its stately rooms and elegant interiors, the perfect period location for their 16th-century tales of power.

The fact that so many have sought to immortalise Ashford Castle through their productions brings us an immense amount of pride, and with the wealth and breadth of beauty found on the estate, we’re sure it won’t be long before it's gracing your screen once more.