The History Channel’s hit series Vikings was inspired by tales of the Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia, but when it came to actually filming the series Ireland filled in perfectly.
Many of the outdoor scenes in the series have been filmed at Lough Tay, on the Guinness Estate, in Co. Wicklow. The Luggala Mountains around the lake look surprisingly Scandinavian, and provide the ideal backdrop for scenes set on board the Vikings’ longships.
Scenes that can’t be captured at Lough Tay, are filmed using greenscreens on the Vikings’ stages in Ashford Studios.
Lough Tay is a great destination for an Irish road trip, too. There is a beach on the northern side of the lake with white sand imported by the Guinness family and several walking trails in the area.
Check out a map of Lough Tay below:
