Wicklow Is Ireland’s “Garden of Ghouls” And Haven for Horror Filmmakers

Wicklow deemed Ireland’s second most haunted filming location, according to new research by Virgin Media.

Wicklow has long cast a spell over filmmakers, its mist-shrouded mountains, sprawling forests, and centuries-old estates providing an atmosphere that is both haunting and breathtaking.

Steeped in folklore and shadowed by natural beauty, the county has become one of Ireland’s most sought-after destinations for horror and thriller productions — a place where the line between myth and reality seems to blur.

Recent research from Virgin Media analysed 100 horror and thriller movies filmed across the country using IMDb data.

The findings reveal Wicklow as one of Ireland’s most haunted on-screen locations, second only to Dublin in the number of spine-chilling stories captured there.

Appearing in 18 horror films, Wicklow earns its title as Ireland’s “Garden of Ghouls.” The county’s eerie landscapes have hosted some of the genre’s most unsettling stories, including The Lodgers, Without Name, and The Other Lamb.

From decaying mansions tucked deep in woodland to windswept valleys where silence reigns supreme, Wicklow offers filmmakers a natural stage for the supernatural.

While Dublin may top the overall list with 24 productions, it’s Wicklow that embodies Ireland’s gothic soul — its beauty masking an undercurrent of unease that continues to lure directors and audiences alike.

Beyond its filmography, the county’s folklore, ancient ruins, and ghostly legends reinforce its reputation as the cinematic heart of Irish horror.

According to Virgin Media Ireland’s research, here’s how Wicklow compares within Ireland’s most haunted on-screen counties:

1. Dublin – 24 horror films

2. Wicklow – 18 films

3. Cork – 8 films

4. Galway – 8 films

5. Donegal – 6 films

6. Antrim – 5 films

7. Offaly – 5 films

8. Limerick – 4 films

9. Clare – 4 films

10. Mayo – 3 films

From ghost stories rooted in the Wicklow Mountains to modern thrillers filmed along its rugged coastline, the county remains Ireland’s most evocative horror setting — a timeless landscape where beauty meets the bizarre, and the whispers of the past echo through the trees.