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Call me a hopeless romantic, but I just love the Rom-com, P.S. I Love You.
The movie by itself is sweet and heartfelt, but the scenes based in Ireland seriously had me itching to grab an umbrella and run away to the Emerald Isle.
So while planning my trip to Ireland, I must confess, I must have watched the movie at least 3 times and was determined to visit all the lovely spots highlighted in the movie. I drooled over the beautiful scenery and couldn’t wait to explore all of the lakes, misty mountains, and quaint villages featured.
If you’re like me and found yourself daydreaming about Ireland; casually boating around beautiful lakes by day, and being serenaded at the local pub by night…then this post is for you.
Dublin
Naturally, you just can’t film a movie in Ireland without incorporating Dublin.
The romantic and fun loving pub scene where Gerry finds Holly in the crowd and sings Galway Girl to her was actually filmed at Whelan’s pub on Wexford Street. True to the film, Whelan’s is a venue for live musicand is an outstanding traditional Irish pub.
If you’re looking for other popular areas for traditional pubs in Ireland, Temple Bar is the place to go. Although it caters to the tourists, it’s the spot for Dublin’s pub scene and nightlife.
County Wicklow
Take a deep breath and inhale that cool mountain air…you are now in County Wicklow.
About an hour’s drive south of Dublin, you enter into Ireland’s gorgeous countryside where the majority of the Ireland scenes from P.S. I Love You were filmed.
Rugged and romantic, it’s not much of a surprise why Wicklow was chosen. County Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland, and it’s rich in history and folklore.
But P.S. I Love You isn’t the first movie filmed in this part of Ireland. Wicklow seems to be Hollywood’s filming location of choice with Braveheart also being filmed here.
The Sally Gap
In the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, you will find Sally Gap.
This location is special because it is the spot where Holly and Gerry first meet (and later kiss!). This scenic mountain pass is the perfect location for a romantic meeting place.
The landscape has a serene and peaceful feel to it with miles of greenery speckled with the most adorable cotton-balled sheep.
Lacken Village
As Holly and Gerry walk through the Wicklow countryside, they are in fact walking towards the small village of Lacken.
Most noted for its scenic views of the Blessington Lakes, this quaint village is worth a stop, even if only for the photos.
Blessington Lakes
One of my favorite scenes from the movie was filmed on Blessington Lake.
Gerry surprises Holly by sending her and her closest girlfriends to Ireland. While spending the day fishing on the lake, the gals manage to get stuck, and have to be rescued by a ruggedly handsome Irishman (yes, because this happens all the time…).
Glendalough
Although not featured in the film, you simply can’t come to County Wicklow without visiting Glendalough.
With dark and mysterious lakes tucked in between deep glacial valleys, this spot is one of the most beautiful gems in the entire country. While walking through the valley, you’ll find it has a tranquil and almost spiritual feel to it.
For more Western Europe Travel Guides:
- Sample Backpacking Western Europe Itinerary
- London Packing List for the Fall
- 10 Backpacking Europe Experiences
Pin the PS I Love You guide to Ireland for later:
Tiffany is the founder behind the faith-based travel blog, Lavender Vines. What began as a year abroad to “get travel out of her system” before entering the real world, has transpired into a non-stop love affair with…the real world. 54 countries later, she shares her adventures from around the world and back to inspire others to do the same. Follow her journey on her blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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About the Author: Rachel Jones
Rachel Jones left a career in nursing and lived on the beaches of Goa, India for the five years. Now she lives in Mexico where she gives advice on the 40+ countries she’s visited in the last 10 years. She’s the author of two India travel e-books: Guide to India and Insider’s Guide to Goa. Her blog, Hippie in Heels, like its name, is a contradiction combining off-beat adventurous places with glamorous and bespoke travel. Hippie in Heels has been featured in ELLE, Marie Claire, Grazia, and Cosmopolitan magazines. She’s a writer for Bravo TV.
8 Comments
MandaMMay 3, 2017 at 2:01 am - Reply
Thank you so much – I just went on a pinning frenzy! I adore ‘P.S. I Love You’ and hope to get to Ireland in the next year or so. All these locations are now on my ‘must see’ list.
Rachel JonesMay 3, 2017 at 12:00 pm - Reply
Yay! I’m so happy that this helped you out :) Enjoy!
MaryJuly 25, 2018 at 3:10 am - Reply
After finding out my ancestry DNA results are European West, and researching my family history to Ireland, I’d like to get discount travel info to take a trip to Ireland to dig deeper into my family history. I’m not sure if I ever watched p.s. I love you. I did watch leap year, and love the sightful journey of the country.
Νίνα ΜηλώσηAugust 17, 2018 at 1:40 pm - Reply
I thought it was only me that loves sooooo much this movie with these outstanding sceneries! I love love love Ireland and this movie travels me there and it’s also so moving and emotional! Great article! Kisses from Greece! ❤
KimDecember 10, 2018 at 11:01 pm - Reply
I’m temporally staying in Dublin and I watched this movie yesterday.
It was so good. Thank you for the details.EmerApril 6, 2020 at 7:33 am - Reply
Great summary of the must-visit filming locations of P.S. I love you. As an absolute Ireland fan, this movie always takes me back to many great hiking days that I spent in Wicklow.
englishtearoseMay 15, 2020 at 12:18 am - Reply
Do you know where the house is that Holly and her friends stayed in? And Gerry’s parents’ house?
Susan VillarrealFebruary 20, 2021 at 12:15 am - Reply
I ,too, have watched P.S. I Love You at least 6 times.. especially meaningful after my husband died in 2018. I am a nurse who loves travel. I have been to Europe twice. Stayed in London and the Cotswolds once. My heritage is English and Scots-Irish. Thank you for this lovely article!
