Ed Speleers stars as James Thomas and Lindsay Lohan portrays Maddie Kelly in the romantic comedy “Irish Wish.”
- “Irish Wish,” currently available on Netflix, marks Lindsay Lohan’s most recent foray into the romantic comedy genre.
- The storyline revolves around Maddie (Lohan), an American editor who finds herself in a complicated situation when she attends the wedding of her crush in Ireland.
- Here’s a glimpse of the picturesque Irish locations featured in the film brought to life.
The latest Netflix production featuring Lindsay Lohan takes the audience on a visual journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland, showcasing its mountains, lakes, and sea cliffs.
The romantic comedy follows Maddie (), an American editor who harbors feelings for her client, Paul Kennedy (played by Alexander Vlahos). When Paul’s affection shifts towards Maddie’s best friend, Emma (portrayed by Elizabeth Tan), Maddie reluctantly agrees to attend their wedding in Paul’s homeland, Ireland. The plot thickens as Maddie’s wish to become Paul’s fiancée unexpectedly materializes.
Directed by Janeen Damian, known for her work on Lohan’s previous Netflix romantic comedy, “Falling For Christmas.”
The success of “Falling For Christmas” catapulted Lohan into the spotlight, securing her a two-picture deal with Netflix even before the release of the film, showcasing the anticipation surrounding her work in the industry.
“Irish Wish” is one of the two movies under this partnership, with the other film, “”, set to premiere later this year, featuring Kristin Chenoweth and Chris Parnell alongside Lohan.
Now, let’s delve into the real-life locations that served as the backdrop for the film.
Warning: The following section contains significant spoilers related to “Irish Wish,” now streaming on Netflix.
Maddie’s journey commences in Mayo, West Ireland.
Cronin’s Sheebeen as depicted in “Irish Wish” and its real-world counterpart.
Maddie, Paul, Emma, and their friend Heather (played by Ayesha Curry) embark on a journey from New York to Ireland, landing at Ireland West Airport, also known as Knock Airport.
A round-trip economy-class flight from New York to Knock Airport starts at $954, according to Google Flights.
Upon arrival, Maddie’s adventure unfolds as she travels from the airport to Paul’s family estate, Kennedy Estate. Along the way, she encounters Cronin’s Sheebeen, a renowned pub located in County Mayo, near Knock Airport. The pub is approximately an hour’s drive from the airport.
Paul’s ancestral home, Killruddery House, is situated on Ireland’s east coast.
Killruddery House featured in “Irish Wish” and its real-life counterpart.
Maddie eventually reaches Kennedy Estate, known in reality as Killruddery House, an expansive 800-acre estate with a rich history. Originally constructed in 1651 following a fire that razed the original structure in 1645, the estate has been in the possession of the Brabazon family since 1618, currently overseen by Anthony and Fionnuala Brabazon, the Lord and Lady Ardee. The estate is available for hosting weddings, events, and filming projects.
Lord Ardee revealed in a March 2023 interview that Killruddery House hosts around 25 weddings annually.
A journey from Knock Airport to Killruddery House spans nearly three hours, as the estate is located in Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland, opposite to the direction of Cronin’s Sheebeen, raising questions about the geographical accuracy portrayed in Maddie’s travels.
Lough Tay, a picturesque location in Wicklow, is a short distance from Killruddery House.
Lough Tay showcased in “Irish Wish” and its real-world representation.
In a pivotal scene, the characters opt for a lakeside picnic near Lough Tay in Wicklow, setting the stage for magical events following Maddie’s wish to the Irish saint Brigid (portrayed by Dawn Bradfield).
Lough Tay forms part of the Guinness Estate, a privately owned property accessible to the public only from the Sally Gap mountain pathway.
Reports indicate that Italian Count Luca Rinaldo Contardo Padulli di Vighignolo acquired the property in 2019, estimating his purchase price to be below the property’s $30 million valuation.
Scruffy Murphy’s, though inspired by a real location, is a composite of two establishments in Ireland.
Scruffy Murphy’s in “Irish Wish” and its real-world counterparts.
Several pivotal scenes in “Irish Wish” unfold in and around Scruffy Murphy’s, a fictional pub amalgamating elements from various Irish establishments.
RTE disclosed that the exterior shots of Scruffy Murphy’s were filmed at Matt Molloy’s, while the interior scenes were captured at and Tutty’s of Hollywood, neighboring pubs located in Wicklow.
WestPort, situated in Mayo, serves as a prominent setting in the film.
Westport depicted in “Irish Wish” and its real-life depiction.
Numerous scenes in “Irish Wish” are set in Westport, a quaint town in Mayo where Maddie crosses paths with James Thomas (), a photographer with whom she initially clashes at Knock Airport. As the magical wish unfolds, Maddie encounters James once more in the town center.
West Coast Rare Books and Westport Florist, actual stores in Westport, feature prominently in the film, with the Octagon serving as the backdrop for the memorable encounter between Maddie and James.
While the bridal shop depicted in the film is fictional, Kelly’s Tweeds & Knitwear in the Octagon was transformed into a bridal boutique for the movie, as per RTE.
The iconic Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, present a scenic backdrop pivotal to the storyline.
The Cliffs of Moher featured in “Irish Wish” and their real-world counterpart.
A significant portion of the narrative unfolds against the stunning backdrop of the Cliffs of Moher, a coastal marvel that captures the essence of James and Maddie’s relationship.
Contrary to the film’s portrayal, the Cliffs of Moher are situated in County Clare, a considerable distance from Mayo, requiring over three hours of travel from Killruddery House.
The Cliffs of Moher stand as one of Ireland’s most renowned attractions, drawing over 1.3 million visitors in 2022, with a significant portion hailing from the US. An adult admission ticket to the site is priced at $7.62.
Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, the parent company of Business Insider, holds a seat on Netflix’s board of directors.