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It’s the novel-turned-series that we all love – Normal People had thousands of us tuning in on BBC and Hulu (and keep coming back) and there’s a whole Insta account dedicated to lead character Connell’s chain necklace!
Yep, Sally Rooney’s NY times bestselling love story has us HOOKED. But the real question on everyone’s lips is: where are all the Normal People filming locations and how can I stop dreaming about all the stunning placesConnell and Marianne hang out and actually go? From the wilds of Ireland to the cicada-filled valleys of Northern Italy, we’ve got you.
Spoilers ahead!
Filming locations in Ireland
As the book and show are both set in Ireland, it follows that many of the Normal People filming locations are also set there! If you’ve been wanting to discover the gorgeous Emerald Isle and step in Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones’ footsteps, this is the perfect chance.
1. Tobercurry, County Sligo
The fictional town of Carricklea where Connell and Marianne grew up together and spend their early years was actually filmed in Tobercurry. WIth charming shop-lined streets and bunting arching overhead, Tobercurry formed the backdrop for Carricklea and many scenes were filmed at local establishments such as Brennan’s Bar, Killoran’s Bar, St. John the Evangelist Church, and Teeling Street.
2. Knockmore House in Enniskerry, Wicklow
Marianne’s family home was shot just outside of Dublin in Enniskerry, Wicklow. The house is a real beauty; a hunting lodge is part of the Powerscourt Estate and it’s where Marianne and Connell share their first kiss. The surrounding area is even more stunning, with green paddocks and rolling hills for miles.
Image source:Joshua Hoffman / Unsplash
3. Streedagh Beach and Streedagh Point
Throughout high school, the pair continue their secret romance around Carricklea. They often steal away to the beach, which is actually Streedach Beach – a stunning 3k of rolling sand that makes up part of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Ireland!
Later, they sit contemplatively on the grass-covered dunes of Streedagh Point, thinking deep thoughts but continuously missing the mark with each other. No, YOU’RE frustrated.
4. Shankill, South Dublin
Connell’s family house is a bit less grand than Marianne’s. His home is built in a 1970s style and shot in Shankill, South Dublin, where the surrounding areas were made to look like a market town.. Located right by the sea, Shankill is a charming Irish town where you can spend some chilled time if you so please!
5. Trinity College, Dublin
With a little encouragement from Marianne, the pair head off (separately that is!) to study History and Politics, and English respectively, at Trinity College in Dublin. The prestigious university is 428 years old and throughout the Normal People series you’ll get a tour of the entire campus – make sure to visit the iconic library, which is one of the most beautiful in the world.It’s no coincidence that this is where author Sally Rooney studied, too.
Think grand halls, stunning architecture and the pair meeting (and moping) in many beautiful corridors and student digs. You’ll often find Connell studying in Berkeley library – a brutalist building in Fellows’ Square – beloved by many students.
Image source:Nick Roberts
6. Wellington Road, Ballsbridge
During her time as a student, Marianne lives on Wellington Road, a historic street in the Ballsbridge neighbourhood of Dublin. The area would have been home to the wealthier gentry and aristocracy in Dublin, so she’s pretty lucky to bag this as her university accommodation.
Now, many of the big Georgian houses have been converted into apartments and have a charming faded grandeur to them. If you’re ever visiting, make sure to stroll down this leafy street for a peek at some of the bohemian-style student houses.
Other Normal People filming locations
As the show carries on and Connell and Marianne grow up and blossom in their lives, the cast and crew moves around the world.
1. Stimigliano, Italy
Maybe one of the most iconic Normal People filming locations, Marianne’s balmy country house is actually a villa in Stimigliano, north of Rome. The book sets this in Trieste, but we think the gorgeous house named Il Casale on Tenuta Verzano is a perfect substitute! The nearby village of of Sant’Oreste and was also used in Eat, Pray, Love.
2. Luleå, Swedish Lapland
Later in the series, Marianne takes a year in Sweden as part of Trinity’s Erasmus programme (and Connell misses her terribly). The scenes are stark and cold – befitting of the pair’s emotions at the time – and were shot in Luleå, a small town in Swedish Lapland. Check out episode nine, where Marianne walks slowly across part of the frozen Baltic Sea as the sun sets in a very serene moment.
While in Sweden, Marianne spends some time in a loft with her current love interest Lukas. These shots were actually filmed back in Dublin however, in a photographer’s studio space in the National College of Art and Design in the city!
3. New York City, USA
While not an actual Normal People filling location, New York City is mentioned as a potential location for the couple’s uncertain future.The final episode sees Marianne and Connell hanging out in a Dublin bar together. Connell has just received the offer to study creative writing in New York and the suggestion of a long distance relationship hangs in the air. As watchers, we’re left to imagine how (and if) their relationship will continue, and what new streets Connell will potentially explore as he leaves for the Big Apple. WHAT. A. CLIFFHANGER.
If all the romantic drama and jaw-dropping landscapes don’t make you want to explore these beautiful Normal People filming locations, we really don’t know what will. In the meantime, we’ll just leave this here… #ConnellsChain
