Last week, Mel Gibson returned to Ireland to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his Oscar-winning film, Braveheart.
As guest of honour at the King John Summer Prom festival in Trim, County Meath, he visited Trim Castle — one of the movie’s most iconic filming locations.

A Warm Homecoming in Trim

Fans queued for up to 90 minutes at the Trim Castle Hotel to meet the Hollywood star, get autographs, and take selfies. All proceeds went to the Irish Equity Benevolent Fund.

The event brought together not just fans, but also extras from the original 1994 shoot — including 1,600 members of the Irish Defence Forces who took part in the film’s epic battle scenes.

Mel Gibson praised Ireland’s role in making Braveheart possible, thanking then-Minister Michael D. Higgins for supporting the production.
He revealed that much of the Scottish terrain was unsuitable for large-scale battle sequences, whereas Ireland offered horse-friendly ground, vast open plains, and excellent logistics.

Where Was Braveheart Filmed in Ireland?

Although the story takes place in Scotland and England, many of the most memorable scenes were actually filmed here in Ireland.

1. Trim Castle, County Meath

Ireland’s largest Anglo-Norman castle, Trim Castle stood in for medieval York in the film. Its curtain walls, towers, and keep provided the perfect medieval backdrop.

2. Curragh Plains, County Kildare

These sweeping grasslands hosted the large-scale battle scenes. Today, the Curragh Plains are peaceful but still carry that cinematic legacy.

3. Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow

Known for their dramatic valleys and rugged peaks, the Wicklow Mountains provided sweeping landscape shots that doubled for the Scottish Highlands.

Visiting Trim Castle and the Boyne Valley Today

On a visit to Trim Castle, you can:

• Walk the same castle walls seen in Braveheart
• Take in breathtaking views over the River Boyne
• Explore nearby historic sites including Newgrange, the Hill of Tara, and Bective Abbey

From the High Kings to Hollywood – Our Legendary Boyne Valley Tour

At Gateway To Ireland Tours, our Legendary Boyne Valley itinerary combines:

• Braveheart filming locations in Ireland
• Ancient royal sites like the Hill of Tara
• World-famous archaeological wonders such as Newgrange
• Hidden gems far from the usual tourist trail

If you’ve ever searched for where Braveheart was filmed in Ireland or dreamed of walking in the footsteps of William Wallace (and Mel Gibson), this is your chance.

Our guests say it best – here’s their experience:

“This tour was the perfect itinerary! Tara Hill is fascinating and our guide Diana was very knowledgeable- I enjoyed chatting with her about the area’s ancient history, we learned so much from her. … seeing Trim Castle (where some of Braveheart was filmed) is very impressive. We loved this tour, and had a good amount of time at each stop to really enjoy everything. Diana was very accommodating & the perfect host… Thank you for a wonderful day! Highly recommend this!”

Original Review on TripAdvisor

“This was an amazing day trip outside of Dublin. Diana was very knowledgable of so much of the ancient history of Hill of Tara. The views of River Boyne from Trim Castle were spectacular. Diana kept us on schedule and we really appreciated the information she gave us on the history of the area. You’ll love all the beautiful sites”

Original Review on TripAdvisor

“The tour was great for anyone who loves history. Trim castle was great and the hill of Tara with all its ancient history was wonderful. Diane is a great host with a good knowledge of the history of Ireland. I highly recommend this tour for people who want more than just the tourist spots.”

Original Review on TripAdvisor

📅 Plan your private tour today: Book Your Legendary Boyne Valley Tour

Frequently Asked Questions About Braveheart in Ireland

Where was Braveheart filmed in Ireland?

Several Braveheart scenes were filmed in Ireland, mainly in County Meath, County Kildare, and County Wicklow. Key locations include Trim Castle (medieval York in the movie), the Curragh Plains (battle scenes), Bective Abbey (monastic scenes), and the Wicklow Mountains (landscape shots).

Was Trim Castle used in Braveheart?

Yes. Trim Castle in County Meath was one of the main Braveheart filming locations. It was used as the walled city of York and for other medieval settings in the film.

How far is Trim Castle from Dublin?

Trim Castle is about 45 minutes to 1 hour’s drive from Dublin, making it an ideal day trip. Many private tours, including our Legendary Boyne Valley itinerary, include Trim Castle along with the Hill of Tara and Newgrange.

Can you visit the Curragh Plains from Braveheart?

Yes. The Curragh Plains in County Kildare are open public grasslands. While there are no filming sets remaining, visitors can still walk across the same sweeping fields used for the film’s battle sequences.

Which Wicklow locations were used in Braveheart?

Several outdoor shots in Braveheart were filmed in the Wicklow Mountains, chosen for their dramatic valleys and rugged hills that doubled for Scotland’s Highlands.

📸 credit: Tripadvisor reviews left by our guests, a shot from Braveheart movie