Testimonials

Eoin Holohan, Locations Manager, The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

- Eoin Holohan, Locations Manager, The Banshees of Inisherin Feature Film.

Christy Niland, Locations Manager, My Sailor My Love (2022)

I just want to say a big thank you to Film Mayo for all your help during our production in Achill Island and it was a pleasure to meet Mayo County Council staff on your set visit.  I would like to thank the Achill community for their cooperation while filming. The locations we shot, looked stunning on camera.  Achill offers beautiful locations and I would love to see more productions making their way to Achill.    

-Christy Niland, Locations Manager, My Sailor My Love (2022)

Gordon Wycherley, Locations Manager, Pilgrimage (2015)

County Mayo has been a truly wonderful place to make a movie. I think this film 'Pilgrimage' will be enhanced greatly by the fact that we chose to shoot in Mayo. The diversity and beauty of locations that exist there is stunning. The people are extremely helpful and open to the idea of filming their beautiful County. I hope to return again soon with other productions to this beautiful part of the world!

- Gordon Wycherley, Locations Manager, Pilgrimage Feature Film.

Jim Sheridan, Writer/Director, The Field (1990)

Much of The Field was shot along the Galway Mayo border. I particularly remember that we shot the dramatic fight scene for The Field on location at Ashleigh Falls, Co. Mayo.  Bull Mc Cabe (Richard Harris) takes the life of The American (Tom Berenger) with the roaring falls as backdrop.   The energy of this Mayo location heightened the dramatic tension of the scene.

Anthony Foutz, Screenwriter

Ireland has always been a safe haven in the creative sense for me and, in my work as a screenwriter, I find Mayo – and where I live in Killawalla outside of Westport -- a perfect fit.  Perfect in the sense of the fierce solitude of the mesmeric landscape, the storm lashed skies burnt blue by the surprise of a mild day, and the majesty of the moment one finds in the contemplation of the creatures of the imagination nurtured in the challenge of a blank page.  Scratch the surface in Mayo, and you’ll find the magic to go along with the hard work of art.

- Anthony Foutz is a writer and actor, known for Tales of Ordinary Madness (1981), Never Too Young to Die (1986) and Per sempre (1991)

Hardy Bucks

Filming in Mayo has been an amazing experience for us whilst producing both the Hardy Bucks TV series and The Hardy Bucks Movie. The diversity of location possibilities combined with the warm welcome from the locals and ease of filming combine to make Mayo an outstanding location. In fact I loved filming here so much I actually decided to move here!

- Mike Cockayne, Producer/Director, Hardy Films, Integral Productions

Bob Quinn, Director

I filmed twice on Clare Island in Mayo, once in 1966 and once in 1986. They were two of the most pleasant shoots  I ever directed.

Not only were the people most pleasant, they were natural actors and I merely had to turn around to find excellent extras with the kind of strong faces that are a joy for cinematographers. The locations, of course, were quite beautiful, highly dramatic and all within a couple of miles of each other.  I even cast some locals in pivotal roles and they stole a couple of scenes.  It confirmed my belief that islanders, natural boat people, are at the top of the IQ stakes.  Ruthless too, because they had no hesitation in beating the pants off my crew in an improvised soccer match. 

- Bob Quinn, Director Budawanny and The Bishops Story, shot on Clare Island, Co. Mayo

Cathal Black, Director

We filmed 'Love and Rage'  (Daniel Craig and Greta Scacchi, 2000)  on Achill Island - in the old house - Valley House - where our story originates from. Achill was chosen for its ruggedness and wild beauty, and 70% of the film was shot there.  The crew fell in love with the place - especially the Germans and Polish crew.  It was a joy working there. The locals are friendly and helpful. 

Cathal Black, Director Love and Rage, shot on Achill Island

Ethna Viney, Documentary Maker

Mayo is a filmmakers dream offering a wide variety of superb locations, hidden gems, the support services needed and helpful people. I have made several films in the county, on time and within budget, without ever running into problems.

Ethna Viney, Documentary Maker, Westward Productions.

Knoa Bicycle Company Advertisment (2016)

Landscapes of County Mayo really surprised me. Great locations for bike packing. Scenic roads, rivers, hills and epic coastline gave us a mix of great filming locations and testing ground for our bicycles.

Joonas Vinnari. Kona Bicycle Company. Dew Files.

The Fireman & The Nurse (2016)

Short film. Writer/Director Gemma Doorly

We were looking for a location that would have everything we needed in a three day shoot for our short ‘The Fireman & The Nurse’. So we were delighted when we found everything we needed in Killala. Our small crew and cast stayed at the Old Deanery Cottages which doubled up as interiors and exteriors were all minutes away including the beach, Cathedral and playground/park. The Killala residents were all very helpful and friendly and we had a number of students from Mayo Youth Theatre and Killala No Name Drama group who played extras in the film and were absolutely brilliant.

Republic of Telly (2014)

Republic of Telly filmed in Castlebar Co. Mayo (April 2014). In preparing for our shoot, we worked closely with the Arts office in Mayo County Council and right from the start the people of Castlebar impressed us with their efficient, professional manner.  We couldn’t have hoped for a more positive filming experience in Mayo.

Our experience filming in Co. Mayo was extremely pleasant. The public were genuinely interested in what we were filming and very eager to take part and helped create a fun working atmosphere which enabled our schedule to work seamlessly.

- Kayleigh O'Donoghue, Producer Republic of Telly. RTÉ

Max Brady, Producer

As producers know, having a contact who understands how quickly things can change on a shoot, and can react accordingly, while making the process of permits simple, is a contact worth their weight in gold.   In a world where paperwork and bureaucracy are often king, it was a real pleasure to deal with the Film Mayo team who made it not only easy, but pleasant.

Max Brady, Executive Producer Pull the Trigger Ltd.  (Formerly Maxfilms.) Calor Gas Add, “Salmon”. Shot at Salmon Research Centre in Burrishoole, Newport and Killary Harbour.

The Weather Report – (2014)

(Galway Film Centre/ RTÉ 2013 Short Film Winner)

We, the cast and crew on the short film The Weather Report, had a fantastic time filming in Blacksod, Co. Mayo. We spent 2 days at Blacksod lighthouse filming interiors and exteriors. The amazing scenery was a fantastic backdrop for telling our story. We received great support from the Sweeney family who have been the keepers of the light since the 1930's. We also received great help from nearby Ionad Deirbhile

-Paul Murphy, Director, The Weather Report. Twoforjoy Productions.

Tracks & Trails (2011 & 2013)

Filming in Mayo is a pleasure. The combination of excellent, unspoiled scenery and a unique combination of landscape from lake to ocean, cliff top to beach to blanket bog makes it a stunning location for filming. We also found the local infrastructure very conducive to production.  I would recommend filming in Mayo to any prospective productions who are scouting locations.

- Luke McManus, Director Tracks & Trails, Sherwin Media.  Shot in Mulranny & Achill 2011 and Carrowteigue & Portacloy 2013.

There's Something About Patrick (2013)

(One Hour Special – Mind The Gap Films)

Mind the Gap Films shot a number of sequences in Mayo for There's Something About Patrick, a Celtic Media Award nominated, one hour factual entertainment special for RTÉ 1, which saw comedian Neil Delamere go in search of the true story behind our Patron Saint.  Neil physically got to grips with life in Ireland during Patrick’s time by experiencing the life of a slave near Clew Bay and wrangling snakes while climbing Croagh Patrick barefoot.
 
Mayo has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and we found a number of locations that were perfect for representing the untouched Ireland of the 5th Century. Mayo County Council were most helpful in accommodating our filming requests and offering contacts and assistance.
 
– Anne Heffernan, Producer of There's Something About Patrick

Walking the Titanic (2012)

With its unique landscape carved over centuries of battling the wild elements of the west of Ireland, County Mayo is full of unspoiled natural beauty. This scenic part of the country is a film-makers dream where spectacular mountain ranges form a magnificent backdrop to the crashing Atlantic Ocean. Every inch of the county tells a story of old Ireland. When we filmed our documentary ‘Waking the Titanic, we found the crag-hewn fields and natural bogland lent themselves perfectly to our narrative. In addition, the old Irish cottage in Hennigan’s Heritage Centre was the perfect place for us to capture what life was really like in Ireland over a hundred years ago. With their wealth of local knowledge and friendly, helpful advice, the people of Mayo are in a class of their own. Whether you want a unique filming location, an expert local historian or a traditional storyteller for that unique cultural insight – the Mayo locals have got it covered.
 
– Gillian Marsh, GMarsh TV

Riders to the Sea (2011)

(Short Film - Irish Film Board/Board Scannán ná hEireann)

Filming in Mayo (Achill) was a joy for all of the cast and crew involved in the production.  The area offered some of the most spectacular landscapes in Ireland, with sea, surf, beaches and mountains.

Mayo County Council assisted in many aspects of the production, organising permits, access to beaches, etc., and more importantly were helpful and supportive.  I look forward to returning.

– Ian W Davis, Producer of Riders to the Sea

Ocean Warriors (2013)

(Student film - Institute of Technology Blanchardstown)

 Ocean Warriors works to raise awareness of environmental issues affecting coastal communities. During filming for Ocean Warriors I had the pleasure of filming in Mayo. I choose to film there because of the incredible and varying natural environment that exists. You will not lack for locations to film in this County whether you are looking for seascapes, rolling hills or urban areas with real character. Mayo County Council were most helpful and were able to give me ideas on good locations and tips to make sure I got the most out of my time shooting there. I can’t wait to go back and film more in the future.

- Beckey-Finn Britton, Bexter Productions. Film Student