Wild Mountain Thyme’s leading locations
Filmed along the Wild Atlantic Way, scenic Mayo is the star of Hollywood rom-com Wild Mountain Thyme
One thing you can’t fault about American Irish rom-com Wild Mountain Thyme is the scenery. Filmed on location in Co. Mayo, lead actor Emily Blunt learned to pull a pint at the Thatch Inn in Crossmolina during her time in the heather county. “You just feel completely transported, you are in this other world,” she says. “It’s a fairy-tale. It’s incredibly enchanting, the whole experience.” Blunt is in good company in this John Patrick Shanley film, starring alongside Oscar-winner Christopher Walkin, Jamie Dornan, and Jon Hamm. Written and produced more with an IrishAmerican audience in mind, this lyrical romance is a story about star-crossed lovers (Blunt and Dornan) whose families are caught up in a feud over a hotly contested piece of land separating their two farms. Filmed in 2019 and released digitally this year, the film also features Irish actors Dearbhla Molloy, Danielle Ryan and Barry McGovern.
Most of the movie was shot around the village of Crossmolina and the town of Ballina - the ancestral home of US President Joe Biden. While the Irish accents might be a little harsh on the ears, Mayo’s Nephin Mountains are a treat for the eyes. Patchwork fields and green landscape comes alive on the big screen – the West of Ireland’s countryside earning its place as a star among the movie’s stellar cast. Among the spots you’ll see in the film and can experience when you visit, is the Thatch Inn and Hiney’s pubs in Crossmolina, and the luxurious Mount Falcon Estate, which saw parts of its interior transformed into a New York bar. It was also home to the cast and crew during filming.
Actor John Hamm, who shot to worldwide fame as Don Draper in Mad Men, described his time in Ireland as a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Christopher Walken, who bagged an Oscar for his role in The Deer Hunter, joked: “My difficulty was being Irish, especially in the middle of all these Irish people. They’re the real deal. I’m from Queens.” And Jamie Dornan, who is originally from Co. Down, added: “It’s beautiful to get a chance to shoot in Ireland. People all over Ireland, I mean I’m biased, but they’re the best people in the world.” If you fancy venturing further during your time in Mayo, the Wild Atlantic Way’s coastline won’t disappoint. Achill Island’s pristine beaches and soaring cliffs are too close not to add to the travel itinerary, while the Great Western Greenway is great for walking and biking. Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay and its 365 islands, is also in Mayo.
The holy mountain should be on any staycation bucket list, the views from the top are incredible.