Stunning locations in County Wicklow such as Powerscourt Waterfall and Avoca Mines are featured in the new movie “Cocaine Bear” which has just gone on general release.
The movie is based on the true story of a black bear that consumed a large amount of cocaine that was dropped from a drug smuggler’s airplane in the rural areas of Georgia in the 1980s.
Powerscourt Waterfall and Avoca Mines were chosen as locations to represent the Georgian wilderness where the real-life incident took place.
Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall, and its stunning beauty makes it a popular location for film shoots.
Meanwhile, the Avoca Mines is an abandoned copper and lead mine located in the Wicklow Mountains that provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s gritty and rugged scenes.
Clermont House at Wicklow County Campus in Rathnew was also used as a location for key indoor scenes.
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman, said: “This successful production is just the latest example of the value of the ongoing supports offered to the film industry in the County through the work of Screen Wicklow and the actions of the County Wicklow Screen Sector Development Strategy.”
Cllr Tommy Annesley, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council added: “The versatility of our beautiful County as a film location shines through in this film. It is shaping up to be yet another addition to the list of iconic films shot in County Wicklow and will no doubt encourage visitors to come and see the sights for themselves.”
Wicklow has earned the name of “Hollywood of Europe” due to its popularity as a filming location along with the county being the base for two major studios.
Some of the most famous movies shot in Wicklow include blockbusters such as “Braveheart”, “Excalibur” or “P.S. I Love You” and more recently Disney’s “Disenchanted” and the Netflix Series “Vikings: Valhalla”. More details can be found here.
The county’s stunning landscapes and historic buildings have made it a favourite location for filmmakers looking to capture a sense of otherworldliness or historical authenticity. Moreover, the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers most of the county, has also attracted a number of nature documentaries and adventure films.
