When filming in Ireland, we recommend that you hire a competent Location Manager who is a member of the Locations Guild of Ireland.  They will assist you in locating and securing suitable venues, obtaining the necessary fire, Garda, and other regulatory permissions, and coordinating the logistics of your production. They’ll also be an excellent source of local information.

Permission is not required from Screen Wicklow for filming on private property.  However, it is a good idea to notify Screen Wicklow in any case.  You’ll need the landowner’s permission and approval if you’re shooting on private property. Prior to filming, it is standard procedure to have a site agreement signed by both the Production Company and the owner. Insurances that are appropriate for the situation should also be in place.  If your filming activity encroaches on public lands in any way (for example, roadways or parks) then permission will be required from Screen Wicklow.

If you want to shoot in a public space, you must first get the necessary permits from the relevant local authority or any other entity in charge of such areas.  All information about filming on the street or in a public location should be notified to An Garda Síochána by the production firm. This includes any re-enactment of crimes, accidents, or the use of guns and special effects if the situation warrants it.

The production company should make sure that everyone who may be affected by the filming is consulted and fully informed about the plans ahead of time.

Good communication is essential for a successful production.
In all cases, consultation with immediate neighbours (business and residential) is required.  Residents to be facilitated as a priority.

The Production Company should nominate a designated point of contact for local residents and businesses.

Keep all local residents and businesses informed of your planned activities well in advance.  In many cases, it will be a condition of your filming permit that public notices are delivered door-to-door.

All Health and Safety legislation, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Health and Welfare at Work Act (Construction) 2013, the Health and Welfare at Work Act (General) 2007, and the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003, must be followed by the Producer.

At all times, the cast, crew, and general public’s health and safety must be ensured. It is the production company’s obligation to ensure that safety requirements are met at all times, and filming should be halted immediately if it is hazardous to continue.

On-site crew workers and production professionals must dress appropriately for their activities and responsibilities.

When filming on location, it may be necessary to have members of An Garda Síochána in attendance to guarantee effective traffic control. A Site Manager or other designated crew member must contact the Gardai and the local council, who will advise on the necessity for Garda support at any specific film location.

Garda officers dispatched through the Office of the AGS are always directed by Garda Management, not by the production company that sought Garda help. The production firm will be responsible for any non-public duty Garda charges. The Office of the AGS can provide details on all charges upon request.

You should inform Screen Wicklow of your parking requirements.  We encourage all productions to minimise the size and quantity of the vehicles on location wherever possible.  Where public parking spaces are required, you will need to apply to the relevant Municipal District for suspension of parking bays.  Please contact Screen Wicklow for more information.

If you need to divert traffic from a road or need the road cleared for a scene, you should apply for a road closure.

Road closure applications should be provided at least 8 weeks’ notice and must be supported by a Traffic Management Plan. Please seek guidance from the Screen Wicklow office.

In the event that there will be disruption to the normal flow of traffic in the area, the production company is obliged to liaise with the local Gardai.  A Traffic Management Plan, designed and maintained on site as required by the current Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual, must be submitted to Wicklow County Council with this application.  All vehicles must be parked legally and must not block driveways, footpaths or cycleways or otherwise obstruct private properties or road users.

The Irish Aviation Authority must receive flight requests and permission applications, and the procedure might take up to three weeks.

Drones weighing more than one kilogram must be registered with the Irish Aviation Authority. On the IAA’s website, you will find a list of registered drone operators, as well as other relevant information on using drones for filming.

Information on permitting can be found on the IAA website here:

Ahead of any planned water filming, including rivers, lakes, sea or coastlines, please seek guidance from the Screen Wicklow office.

Filming authorisation is contingent on you presenting a copy of your insurance policy, which should provide coverage of at least €6.5 million for public liability and €13 million for employers’ responsibility. You’ll need to expressly request that your broker indemnify Wicklow County Council.

Where the proposed filming location is within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protected Area (SPA) the producer must obtain the appropriate environmental screening whether on State owned land or on private. If queries do arise, please contact the NPWS Conservation Ranger on email

Where the proposed filming location is within a National Park Area, the production must consult with the NPWS Conservation Ranger on email

• Beach & Foreshore Bye-laws must be strictly adhered to.
• The beach must be left free of litter and in the same condition as when entered.
• All damage must be repaired to the satisfaction of Wicklow County Council.
• Any Company wishing to film on or in the water must provide their own rescue boat/ water safety personnel.
• If filming on Brittas Bay Beach North or South an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and Ecological Impact Assessment Report must be prepared and submitted with this application.

Noise generated by filming and film-related activities should be maintained below 55dB(A) Leq (1 hour), as serious annoyance can be expected above this level.  Outside of 8am to 7pm this level should not exceed 45dB(A) Leq (1 hour).

Activities likely to cause nuisance should not take place outside of the hours of 8am to 7pm. Weekend and public holiday activity should be avoided where possible.

Engines should not be idling on site.

Generators should not run through the night (silent generators should be used, if possible).

Lighting should be managed and directed to avoid illuminating private property.

The number of vehicles and plant on site should be minimised.

Locations for welfare facilities, canteens, etc should be selected to minimise potential for disturbance.

• Film makers will be asked to provide in writing as much information as possible on the following: proposed dates and times; potential locations; content and nature of the script or relevant script pages; public liability insurance; potential stunts; special effects; pyrotechnics; wet-downs; use of firearms, knives or other weapons; nudity; numbers of vehicles, cast, crew and extras; equipment and parking.
• Evidence of current insurance with a general indemnity limit on the insurance policy of not be less than €6.5m with a minimum indemnity limit of €13m if pyrotechnics are included. The Insurance policy must include an indemnity to Wicklow County Council up to the amount relevant to the proposed shoot.   Insurance documentation must include cover for all 3rd parties when services are engaged for the photography/filming shoot.
• All dialogue, action, costumes, and props must be respectful of the history and character of the burial ground. Filming of a blasphemous or derogatory nature will not be permitted.
• Filming which requires shots of gravestones will need specific permission to photograph or video personal details that appear as inscriptions. Inscriptions must not be published or visible on film without the express consent of the plot owner.
• Projects that require alteration of the grounds are not permitted without the prior consent of Wicklow County Council.
• Protecting grave markers is our primary concern in photography/filming projects.  Do not touch, lean on, or move any grave marker.  Use special precautions when setting up equipment and carrying large items.
• Signage must be installed at the burial ground entrance(s) and at the perimeter of the filming location to inform visitors that filming is taking place.
• All areas used in photography/filming must be left in exactly the same condition in which they were found.  All props, waste and debris must be removed off-site at the conclusion of photography/filming.
• Producers may be required to submit the portions of the script to be filmed for review.
• All filming must take place between dawn and dusk. Filming outside of this time requires specific approval.
• Filming may not take place during funeral / interments / Blessing of the Graves to avoid conflicts with other scheduled events and programs.
• An on-site orientation meeting may be required prior to starting production work.
• Wicklow County Council reserves the right to terminate production immediately in the event the photographer, videographer, producer, or other crew member fails to abide by the conditions set forth in these guidelines.
• The use of a drone or other aerial or elevated device including a cherry picker for filming or photography purposes will give rise to special considerations centred on safety, privacy for neighbouring properties and minimising disturbance.