Tucked away in the Kilkenny countryside is a quaint village that may be seemingly small but plays a huge part on the big screen
08:00, 26 Jan 2026Updated 00:15, 27 Jan 2026
The village sits quietly along the River Nore(Image: )
It may seem like an ordinary village, but this picturesque place in the Irish countryside is more famous than some passers-by realise.
Inistioge is one of the most beautiful villages in the country, often described as carrying plenty of “charm” as it sits within the Nore Valley. Its quiet location helps create a sense of peace, as it is surrounded by vast landscapes, including the river upon which it lies.
Flowing through the picture-perfect village is the River Nore, accompanied by the impressive 10-arch stone bridge that stands at the heart of Inistioge. It was built in 1765 after a severe flood washed away the bridge that stood before it and has remained in its place ever since.
Although small, the village boasts a mighty history which can be told through its numerous buildings which are dotted around the area. One of which is the ruins of the Woodstock House & Estate, which is the remains of a Palladian mansion believed to date back to 1745 and designed by Francis Bindon.
Inistioge has been chosen as the set for several movies because of its natural landscape (Image: )
Upon paying a visit to the historic ruins, one person was shocked by the glorious gardens hidden within the grounds.
They wrote on TripAdvisor: “We had no idea what to expect when we entered the garden and the arboretum, but it turned out to be a real secret garden, hidden in the hills above Inistioge. “
Another shared: “Having driven through the beautiful village of Inistioge many times over the years, we finally got around to doing the Woodstock Gardens loop walk this week and were rewarded by a wonderful walk from the village along the river Nore, before heading up to the house and gardens.
“The walk was great, but we were amazed by the scale and grandeur of the gardens, culminating in what must be the nicest tearoom anywhere (at least on a sunny day!).”
The 10 arch bridge is one of the area’s defining landmarks (Image: )
Although the real star of the show when it comes to Inistioge is that itself – the TV shows and the movies in which it plays a part as the perfect backdrop.
The village has featured in films such as Circle of Friends, Widow’s Peak, and The Secret Scripture, meaning some big names have passed through these very streets.
The likes of Minnie Driver, who starred in Good Will Hunting and Tarzan, and the late Natasha Richardson, known for her roles in Parent Trap and The Handmaid’s Tale, have passed through the village for their filming projects.
Joining them on set in Inistioge are other big names such as Mia Farrow and Rooney Mara.
Its scenic landscape helped to create the perfect setting for period dramas and other contemporary films set in small towns.
One of these films was the more recent romance, Love’s Portrait, released in 2022, which famously features the eye-catching village bridge.