The TV series Normal People has been wowing audiences across the world as it follows the complex relationship between Marianne and Connell through their time at secondary school in County Sligo on Ireland’s Atlantic coast and later as undergraduates at Trinity College.

But the cast are not the only stars of the show. The beautiful scenery of Sligo and historic locations in Dublin are grabbing the attention of viewers across Britain and the US. The show is a TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s popular novel Normal People, shown on RTÉ, BBC and on the online streaming platform Hulu in the United States.

Tourism Ireland – in conjunction with production company Element Pictures – has created a short, behind-the-scenes film using footage shot during filming for Normal People, in which director Lenny Abrahamson, producer Catherine Magee and actress Daisy Edgar-Jones (Marianne) describe and praise the special locations chosen for filming.

In the behind-the-scenes film, director Lenny Abrahamson praises Ireland, saying: “It felt wonderful to be bringing such an amazing novel to life in the country where I’m from and in the landscapes which I love and know so well, both urban and rural.”

Speaking about Sligo, Daisy Edgar-Jones, who plays Marianne, said: “One of my favourite places to film would probably have been Sligo. It was just the most jaw-dropping entrance to any place I’ve ever experienced. When you see Ben Bulben in the distance, it’s just immense.”

Filming for the highly anticipated 12-part TV series took place in 2019 – on Streedagh Beach, at Ben Bulben and in Tubbercurry, in Sligo. The Dublin scenes were filmed in a number of real-life locations, including bars, cafés and streets – with much of the drama unfolding in Trinity College Dublin, where the characters Marianne and Connell, played by Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, go to university.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “We are extremely grateful to Element Pictures for their generosity in agreeing to make this behind-the-scenes film with us. It allows us to keep the beauty of Ireland to the fore and to showcase our authentic home-grown talent. While we may not be able to travel just now, this film will inspire people for their future visit.”

Watch the video here.