Banshees of Inisherin: how location and language have set the scene for Ireland's vibrant film industry

From classic western films onwards, many cinematographers have made use of far flung places to transport viewers to other worlds and different times.

Stories inspired by the west of Ireland have benefited from the beautiful visage that its landscape provides. John Ford’s The Quiet Man (1952) showcased the rolling hills of Connemara as the mise-en-scène for his award-winning romantic comedy drama. Tourists still come in search of Sean Thornton’s house, travelling along Ireland’s Atlantic edge to see what remains of the “old way of life”.

A statue of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara from The Quiet Man shows the importance of the film to the town in which it was set, Cong in the west of Ireland. Andrei Nekrassov / Shutterstock