THE SCREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME... S Bodkin gets set to wow the world with beautiful scenery

Ireland is the hottest location right now for new TV series a

THE stunning village of Union Hall is among the West Cork locations set to shine in a new Netflix series.

This week, viewers worldwide will see The Rebel County feature in the dark crime comedy Bodkin, a major new series that was shot in Ireland.

Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions, the show will premiere on Netflix on Thursday, May 9.

Bodkin centres around a motley crew of podcasters (Will Forte, Siobhán Cullen, Robyn Cara) who set out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in a quaint, coastal Irish town. But once they start pulling

ESTHER McCARTHY at threads, they discover a story much bigger and weirder than they could have ever imagined. Some scenes were also filmed in Wicklow and Dublin.

“The imaginary town of Bodkin is situated in West Cork, and it’s a wild and fabulous landscape,” said co-showrunner and executive producer Alex Metcalf.

“Union Hall really appealed to us as a location and so did its connection to the ocean. There’s a working harbour there, and it’s incredibly beautiful. The locals in Union Hall have been incredibly welcoming and helpful, and receptive to our work in the town.”

Bodkin is the latest in a growing number of international series drawn to Ireland by its stunning locations, filming-friendly infrastructure and talented cast and crew.

As West Cork gets ready for its global close-up, lots of other films and shows filmed around Ireland are coming to our screens soon. They include:

IN THE LAND OF SAINTS AND SINNERS (DONEGAL)

A big name cast including Liam Neeson, Kerry Condon, Ciarán Hinds and Sarah Greene stars in this feature film, now on Netflix. Shot across several locations in Co Donegal over a two-month period, including Glencolmcille and Kilcar, the movie is set in 1970s Ireland. Neeson is a man seeking a quiet life in a coastal town — but when terrorists pose a threat, he’s urged to protect his community.

BRING THEM DOWN

(WICKLOW)

Barry Keoghan’s newest movie sees him play an Irish shepherd who’s drawn into a cycle of violence in this thriller set in Co Wicklow. Keoghan has told of his delight at returning home for his latest thriller. “It’s an amazing time to be telling Irish stories,” says Keoghan of the Screen Ireland-backed film. “Being able to shoot at home with an Irish crew— who are some of the best in the world — is always incredibly special to me. I’m so proud to see how many new filmmakers and actors are coming out of Ireland, ready to take on the world.”

ABIGAIL (DUBLIN)

Irish rising star Alisha Weir features in this horror movie currently in cinemas. But eagle-eyed Irish viewers may also notice it was filmed on these shores.

The historic Glenmaroon House features as the sprawling mansion where much of the movie is set. Producers were already considering filming here but the property helped secure the deal. “Trying to find a full-scale old mansion that feels like it might be in the deep suburbs of Massachusetts or New England, something old enough and really big and palatial, there’s not a ton of that out there,” Producer William Sherak said. “You just can’t believe this exists.” Other scenes were also shot in the Bord Gais Theatre.

‘Being able to shoot at home with an Irish crew is very special to me’

KNEECAP (BELFAST)

This highly anticipated film starring the Irish rappers has been generating strong buzz from early reviews and was filmed in their stomping grounds of Antrim and Louth. “The band begins moulding the language to fit their tough, anarchic and hedonistic lives,” according to the film’s producers. “A language encumbered with forty words for stone now has one for stoned.”

FATHER, MOTHER, SISTER, BROTHER (DUBLIN)

Cate Blanchett was recently spotted filming in Dublin locations including the north city suburb of Stoneybatter as part of a new film from indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. Details of the story have yet to be revealed, but the film’s cast also includes Vicky Krieps and Charlotte Rampling. The shoot has since moved to Paris with a release date to be announced.

SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE (WEXFORD)

Ireland’s newest Oscar winner Cillian Murphy stars in and produces this adaptation of Claire Keegan’s bestselling novel, set in 1980s Wexford. The Screen Ireland-backed project tells the story of a coal-delivery man who makes a discovery while visiting a local convent.

“Working on this film with director Tim Mielants and screenwriter Enda Walsh — as well as the film’s outstanding cast and crew in Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin — was an incredible experience,” said Murphy recently.

“It’s a wonderful time for Irish filmmaking, and I’m proud to be part of putting Irish stories on the screen that tell us about ourselves: our past and present.”

SPILT MILK (DUBLIN)

Recently filmed in various locations across Dublin, Spilt Milk tells the story of 11-year-old Bobby O’Brien who dreams of becoming a great detective like his TV hero Kojak.

Bobby sets up a private investigation enterprise with his best friend Nell Casey but the disappearance of his older brother sets them off down a dark path. The cast includes Danielle Galligan, star of Netflix’s Shadow and Bone.

FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE (DONEGAL AND ANTRIM)

An impressive cast including Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter, Gabriel Byrne, Fionn O’Shea and Ann Skelly star in this forthcoming drama. It tells of Nicholas and Isabel, who appear to be made for each other. But as destiny pulls them together, family, passion and faith threaten to drive them apart.

FRAN THE MAN (DUBLIN) Currently shooting across various locations in the city, Fran the

Man stars Amy Huberman, Ardal O’Hanlon, Risteard Cooper and Deirdre O’Kane in a fun mockumentary. Fran Costello, previously star of the football mockumentary series ‘Fran’ returns in a feature length comedy that sees him working undercover to save the beautiful game from match-fixing. The film is being produced by Collie McCarthy’s Forty Foot Pictures (I Used to Be Famous) with support from Screen Ireland and RTÉ.

FRÉWAKA (LOUTH)

Told mostly in the Irish language, this horror tells the story of a home-care worker, haunted by her own tragedy, who moves to a remote village to care for a woman struggling with agoraphobia. Clare Monnelly and Bríd Ní Neachtain head the cast of the film, due to be released later this year.