If you’re a Disney fan and an Ireland lover, you’ll be thrilled to know that the entertainment giant filmed a sequel to its 2007 film “Enchanted” along the country's east coast.
Filming for Disney's Enchanted sequel, called “Disenchanted,” was released in 2022.
Filming also took place in Dublin during May of 2021, including at the made-over RDS, a multi-purpose sports stadium owned by the Dublin Royal Society.
Other locations used for the movie included Dundalk, Co. Louth, and Greystones and Enniskerry, both in County Wicklow.
Hollywood A-listers Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey were both in Ireland as filming began.
Much of the filming happened in Enniskerry, a small village in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains and only 15 miles (24 km) from Dublin.
It is considered by many to be the gateway to County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland.
A massive town hall was constructed in the village, with carpenters and painters creating a castle set.
This is the second time that Adams has filmed in Ireland.
The 2010 movie, “Leap Year,” was also shot in the area and in several other parts of Ireland.
Indeed, this part of Wicklow is a popular location for Hollywood production companies and other filmmakers.
Other movies and series that have been filmed here include “Braveheart,” “PS I Love You,” “Vikings,” “The Tudors,” “Excalibur,” “Michael Collins” and more.
While you’re in the area, be sure to take a film tour with Dairine of Tours by Locals.
Dairine lives two miles from Enniskerry and tells Ireland on a Budget that the film production company constructed a big set on the grounds of an old school where her children were once educated.
A film crew from “Valhalla,” the sequel to “Vikings,” was also about to begin shooting in the area, she adds.
If you’re in Dublin for a few days, it makes perfect sense to visit this charming village.
There are several other attractions in the vicinity. They include the following:
Powerscourt House and Gardens
Voted one of the Top 10 houses and mansions to see in the world by Lonely Planet, Powerscourt Estate is closely associated with Enniskerry given that it is considered the estate village of the Powerscourt House & Gardens, one of Ireland's most beautiful gardens.
This palatial mansion was originally a 13th-century castle but was extensively altered by leading architect Richard Cassels during the period 1731 through 1741.
A fire in 1974 caused a lot of damage to the house, and while it was fully restored by 1996, the interior is not quite the same as it once was.
Today, the interior is a popular wedding destination and there are many craft shops and other retailers within the space.
The gardens, which took 150 years to complete, are what attract most visitors.
The Powerscourt Waterfall is located beyond the extensive gardens.
Admission to the estate’s gardens cost between €9 for adults, €7.50 to €8 for seniors (65+), €7.50 for students with a valid ID, and €4 for children under 16.
Children under 3 are admitted free; a family ticket for two adults and 3 children will cost you €20.
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Glendalough Monastic City, Co. Wicklow
Glendalough Monastic Site is a mere 17 miles (28 km) from Enniskerry and is well worth visiting if you’re in the area.
This 6th-century monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin and by the 9th century, it had become quite important in Ireland, equaling Clonmacnoise in County Offaly.
Despite attacks from the Vikings, Glendalough survived to become a site of great learning until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214.
Glendalough, which is part of the Wicklow National Park, is a deeply spiritual and tranquil place, located in a glacial valley that is surrounded by two lakes and a forest.
Some of the things you’ll see include a near-perfect round tower, St. Kevin’s Kitchen (actually a church), St. Kevin’s Cell (a beehive hut where Kevin lived), St. Kevin’s Cross, and more.
A visitor center complete with interactive displays tells the story of St. Kevin’s journey to Glendalough and how he created this important religious site.
Admission is €5 for adults, €4 for seniors, €3 for children and students, and €13 for families.
Kilruddery Gardens
This large house, on the outskirts of Bray, is an Elizabethan-style building that dates from the 17th century.
It has been the home of the Earls of Meath for over 300 years.
The current Earl of Meath is Anthony Jacques Brabazon, who lives there with his wife, the Countess of Meath, and their family.
Guided tours of the house are available from May through September and at weekends during the month of October.
The estate has been used in the past as a filming location for a number of films and TVs series, including “My Left Foot,” “Far and Away,” “Angela’s Ashes,” “The Tudors,” “Into the Badlands,” “The Turning,” and “Camelot.”
The Kilrudderry Gardens are home to the annual Groove Festival.
From Dublin: Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny Tour
Mount Usher Gardens
Discover another unique garden about a 27-minute drive from Powerscourt and 16 miles (26 km) from Enniskerry.
Mount Usher Gardens is a great example of a garden in the authentic “Robinsonian” style that combines the collection of trees, shrubs, and flowers in a more natural way.
A detailed tree guide is available when you visit.
The attraction also includes a café and courtyard shops.
Wicklow Mountains National Park
No visit to Wicklow is complete without exploring the Wicklow Mountains National Park and its highest peak Lugnaquilla at 3,035 feet (925 meters).
Exploring the park is best done on foot.
For the adventurous, the 81-mile (130 km) Wicklow Way will take through an amazing environment that includes hills, bogland, glacial valleys, and windswept heath.
It is most popular with serious hikers.
There are 9 additional way-marked trails in the park that are more doable, with walks varying from a half-hour to a longer four-hour hill walk.
You can find maps at the National Park Information Office and at the visitor center at the Glendalough Monastic City.
If you choose to drive through the park, the R759 is the one to take.
It is often referred to as the “Military Road” as it was originally built by the British to keep rebels out of the nearby hillsides.
The Glenmacnass Waterfall is a popular stop along the route, as is the Glencree German Cemetery, Ireland’s only German cemetery housing among others, the final resting place of a former spy.