The 2022 Oscar nominations were announced last month. Since then, many of our overseas friends asked us whether Inisherin was a real place. And if so, where in Ireland is it?
The Banshees of Inisherin
They are of course referring to director Martin McDonagh’s new film, The Banshees of Inisherin. Its recent nine Oscar nominations made it an instant cinema hit. The nominated categories are:
- best picture,
- direction,
- editing,
- original screenplay,
- leading actor (Colin Farrell),
- supporting actor (nominations for both Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan),
- supporting actress (Kerry Condon)
- and original score.
Not bad at all! The film is in a good spot to bag a few of them, fingers crossed. [March 2024 update: Team Banshees sadly has not won an Oscar. Nevertheless, Ireland hasn’t had this much Oscar pride and excitement since Michael Collins!] It has already won three Golden Globes: best picture, best performance by an actor and best screenplay. Also four BAFTA awards: best original screenplay, best supporting actress, best supporting actor and best British film. This one might be a little grinding to some. While thoroughly Irish, it was made with the contribution by the British Film4. So it is considered a British film and, confusingly, also an Irish film. The film is also nominated for five awards at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, winners to be announced later in February.
So Is Inisherin A Real Place?
When watching the film, you cannot help but be captivated by the beauty of ‘Inisherin’. The rugged, stunning landscape underscores the dark story of helplessness, sadness and despair. Inisherin sounds real, right? Well, despite its Irish-sounding name, the island of ‘Inisherin’ does not exist on any real map. Actual locations the filmmakers picked were Achill Island in County Mayo and the island of Inishmore in County Galway.
Achill and Inishmore Islands on the Wild Atlantic Way
Both islands lie off Ireland’s West Coast, on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way. We consider the WAW Ireland’s answer to the US Pacific Coast Highway. Admittedly, it’s less of a highway in the American sense, more of a route, really. But it’s about the same length as the PCH (cca 2,500 kilometres or 1,600 miles) and equally picturesque. It stretches from Inishowen in County Donegal in the North to Kinsale town in County Cork in the South.
Achill Island and Inishmore are roughly halfway down the Wild Atlantic Way. Achill is the more northerly of the two. Both are ‘Gaeltacht’ areas, where locals still commonly speak the Irish language. Not to worry though, because everyone speaks English, too. Tourists are welcome and nobody will be shunned for not having the lingo.
Whether you’re a fan of filming locations or not, a trip to either Achill or Inishmore won’t disappoint. As the islands off the Irish west coast generally, they both have low populations. As such, both are ideal for exploring the unspoiled natural beauty of the Irish west coast away from the crowds.
Here is our suggestion for a day out on Achill Island.