Where was Excalibur filmed? Cahir Castle. Powerscourt Waterfall. Lough Tay. Rock of Cashel. Every rugged Irish location from the 1981 dark fantasy classic.
John Boorman wanted to make The Lord of the Rings. He couldn’t get the rights. So he made Excalibur (1981) instead – darker, weirder, and filled with Wagner’s greatest hits.
The plot? Arthur pulls a sword from a stone (filmed in Childers Wood, near Boorman’s house), starts a round table, accidentally sleeps with his half-sister Morgana (oops), and his son destroys everything.
The cast? Nigel Terry (in his first lead role at 35, playing a teenager), Helen Mirren as the sneakiest sorceress this side of Avalon, Nicol Williamson as a somewhat unhinged Merlin, and a bunch of future stars in their first or second films: Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne, Patrick Stewart, and Ciarán Hinds.
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🗡️ Excalibur 1981 Filming Locations
Shot entirely in Ireland‘s mud and magic. Every frame. Just mud, rain, and actors in 60-pound steel suits praying for lunch.
🏰 Cahir Castle, County Tipperary
Cahir Castle in County Tipperary is a well-preserved Norman fortress that sits on an island in the River Suir. It has been a set for many movies and TV shows – The Tudors, The Last Duel, The Green Knight, and Vikings: Valhalla.
It even won the 2021 European Film Commissions Network (EUFCN) Location Award for Best European Filming Location. Boorman chose it because the river could double as a moat, and the stone walls looked genuinely medieval – because they are.
The famous knighting scene took place here in November. Freezing November. Wet, Irish November.
What was filmed here:
- Arthur kneels in the freezing river moat to be knighted by Uryens (the shivers are real).
- The coronation siege battle with real fire, real steel, and real consequences.
What else to see here:
- Cahir Park: 80 acres of riverside trails.
- Swiss Cottage: 19th-century fairy-tale cottage.
- River Suir Boat Tours: Castle views from the water.
🫗 Powerscourt Waterfall, County Wicklow
Powerscourt Waterfall in County Wicklow is the highest waterfall in Ireland, dropping 121 meters over a granite cliff. Boorman saw it and immediately thought, “Yes, this is where two men in chrome armor should try to kill each other on slippery rocks.”
The production didn’t close the site to tourists, so confused visitors watched knights fight between bites of their packed lunches.
What was filmed here:
- Arthur and Lancelot’s muddy, wet, deeply uncomfortable championship fight.
- The Lady of the Lake scene – Boorman’s daughter Telsche played the arm underwater.
What else to see here:
- Powerscourt Gardens: Italianate stately home grounds.
- Powerscourt Distillery: Whiskey tours and tastings.
- Sugar Loaf Mountain: Distinctive 501m peak.
🏔️ Lough Tay & Luggala Estate, Wicklow Mountains
Locals call Lough Tay “Guinness Lake” because the dark peaty water looks exactly like a pint of stout, complete with a white sandy “foam” beach. Boorman chose it for the film’s most emotional moment.
The crew spent hours in freezing water to get the shot. One cameraman reportedly developed trench foot. The sword toss took multiple takes because the prop sword kept sinking too fast.
What was filmed here:
- Sir Perceval throws Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake in the film’s final scene.
- Arthur‘s poetic death and departure to Avalon.
What else to see here:
- Luggala Estate: Guinness family’s Gothic lodge (private).
- Wicklow Way: 131 km hiking trail.
- Roundwood Village: The highest village in Ireland.
🕍 Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary
The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary is a limestone hilltop that holds a collection of medieval buildings, including a cathedral, chapel, and round tower.
Boorman needed a gothic, haunting silhouette for Guenevere‘s convent retreat. The crew filmed here from midnight to 4 AM for a single 20-second shot because daytime tourists would have ruined the illusion.
What was filmed here:
- The exterior silhouette of the convent where Queen Guenevere flees.
- A haunting nighttime backdrop for Morgana‘s scheming.
What else to see here:
- Hore Abbey: Ruined monastery, free entry.
- Cashel Folk Village: 19th-century rural life museum.
- Bruff Village: Pubs and restaurants nearby.
🌲 Childers Wood, Glendalough Estate, County Wicklow
Childers Wood at Glendalough Estate is a dense, moss-draped woodland near Boorman’s home. The director loved that you couldn’t see the sky through the trees – it felt ancient, claustrophobic, and genuinely magical.
Most of the “lost in a mystical forest” scenes were shot here. The crew had to carry all the equipment by hand because the forest was too thick for vehicles.
What was filmed here:
- Merlin and Morgana‘s creepy magical showdowns.
- Arthur pulls Excalibur from the stone (the stone was foam, the forest was real).
- Every “we’re lost in a druid-infested nightmare forest” sequence.
What else to see here:
- Glendalough Monastic Site: 6th-century ruins, free.
- Upper & Lower Lakes: Two glacial lakes.
- St. Kevin’s Bed: Cave and church ruins via hiking.
🌊 Derrynane Ravine, County Kerry
Boorman took the crew to the Iveragh Peninsula for its dramatic red sandstone cliffs and rugged coastline. The Derrynane Ravine provided a narrow, claustrophobic natural corridor that worked perfectly for ambush scenes and tense horseback chases.
This 320-acre parkland blends maritime scenery with historical monuments and is officially famous as the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, known as “The Liberator.”
Kerry, being Kerry, it rained for most of the shoot.
What was filmed here:
- Woodland and mountain chase sequences.
- Several outdoor battle and ambush scenes.
What else to see here:
- Derrynane House: O’Connell museum, subtropical gardens.
- Abbey Island: 6th-century ruins at low tide.
- Ogham Stones: Ancient 2.1m Irish language stone.
- Derrynane Beach: Blue Flag beach for swimming.
🎬 Ardmore Studios, Bray, County Wicklow
When Irish weather became apocalyptic (which was often), Boorman retreated to Ardmore Studios in Bray, County Wicklow.
The studio housed the interior sets: Camelot‘s round table room, the throne hall, Merlin‘s creepy crystal cave, and Mordred‘s birth chamber. This is also where the infamous chrome armor was stored and cursed by actors daily.
What was filmed here:
- Interior Camelot scenes – round table, throne room.
- The glowing green “magic” armor sequences – practical lighting, no CGI.
- Merlin‘s crystal cave – fiberglass and mirrors that gave Williamson a rash.
- Mordred‘s armor-clad birth scene – yes, that one.
🗺️ Excalibur Road Trip Itinerary
John Boorman’s Excalibur (1981) was filmed entirely on location in Ireland. This 3-day route starts in Dublin and circles through the primary filming counties of Wicklow, Tipperary, and Kerry.
Day 1: The Heart of Magic (County Wicklow)
- Powerscourt Waterfall: €8-10 entry. 10-minute walk from the parking. Wear good footwear. Visit the site where Arthur fights Lancelot.
- Childers Wood, Glendalough: Free entry. Dense, atmospheric woods where Arthur pulled the sword from the stone. Bring bug spray in summer.
- Lough Tay (The Guinness Lake): A short drive away. Viewing point off R759 road. Limited parking. Don’t hike down – private land. This is where Perceval returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake.
Day 2: The Coronation (County Tipperary)
- Cahir Castle: Drive south to this Norman fortress. Open daily, €6-8. Walk the battlements and stand by the moat. Allow one hour. See the actual moat where Arthur was knighted.
- Rock of Cashel: Iconic silhouette used to represent the convent where Guenevere retires. €8-10 entry. Exposed and incredibly windy. Hold your hat.
Day 3: The Wild Coast (County Kerry)
- Derrynane Ravine: Head west to the Iveragh Peninsula. Part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Check local conditions. Best visited on the Ring of Kerry route. Explore the red sandstone ravine seen in various woodland and mountain sequences.
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Ireland‘s filming locations are outdoor, exposed, and at the mercy of the Atlantic weather. The Irish are lovely. The weather is not. Embrace the rain. It’s part of the myth.
- May: Fewer tourists, green landscapes, beats the rush. Highly recommended.
- June to August: Longest daylight but busiest crowds. Book everything early.
- September: Thinning crowds, golden melancholy light. Perfect for an Excalibur pilgrimage.
- Winter (Nov to March): Short days, muddy trails, freezing moats. Only for the unhinged.
Pro tip: Arrive before 10 AM to avoid coach crowds.
Getting There & Around:
- Fly into Dublin Airport (DUB): Closest hub to all locations.
- Rent a car in advance: Book an automatic if you don’t drive a manual.
- Drive on the left: Roads are narrow, winding, and occasionally shared with sheep.
- Book a guided tour: The best option. Let someone else plan and drive.
Essential Packing:
- Waterproof jacket: Non-negotiable. You will get rained on.
- Waterproof boots: The Cahir moat is wet. Lough Tay trails are muddy.
- Layers: Castles are cold in July. Mountains are biting in August. Bring a fleece.
- Camera: Handheld is fine. Tripods are usually banned inside castles.
- Cash: Some parking areas and small sites are cash-only. Don’t get caught without euros.
🙋 Excalibur FAQs
From the muddy moat to the magic lake, here’s everything fans still argue about over pints.
Where was Excalibur forged in real life?
In a prop workshop by armorer Terry English. The hero’s sword weighed 8 pounds. They made 14 versions, including rubber stunt swords.
Excalibur movie cast trivia?
Liam Neeson was in his third film ever. Gabriel Byrne in his second. Ciarán Hinds in his first. Patrick Stewart wasn’t Captain Picard yet. Pierce Brosnan auditioned and lost the part.
Where was Excalibur thrown in the movie?
Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) in the Wicklow Mountains. Perceval’s dramatic toss took multiple tries because the sword sank too fast.
Where was Excalibur located in the movie?
Stuck in a stone in Childers Wood, then Arthur’s hand, then a lake, then his hand again, then Lough Tay forever.
Was the armor real?
Yes. Chrome-plated steel by Terry English. It weighed 60 pounds, had no ventilation, and actors nearly passed out in it. They finished the takes anyway.
Did Helen Mirren and Nicol Williamson really hate each other?
Yes, from a disastrous 1974 Macbeth stage production. Boorman cast them for the animosity. Then they became good friends on set, ruining his plan.
Why did Boorman cast his own children?
He admitted he didn’t want to audition other children. His daughter Katrine played Igraine. His son Charley played young Mordred. His daughter Telsche played the Lady of the Lake’s arm.
Did Boorman really fire dogs?
Yes. Helen Mirren confirmed that Boorman sacked the dogs from the film because they weren’t acting threatening enough. They looked mean but weren’t mean on command.
Did the Irish extras keep fighting after “cut”?
Yes. When Boorman yelled “cut,” the Irish extras kept fighting each other “to settle old scores.” Typical. Can’t take the lads anywhere without them turning a movie set into a medieval grudge match.
What music is in Excalibur?
Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” and “Siegfried’s Funeral March,” plus Carl Orff’s “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana.
Is Excalibur available in 4K?
Yes, Arrow Video released it on February 24, 2026, with a new restoration from the original 35mm negative. Includes both theatrical and TV cuts, three audio commentaries, and a Boorman documentary. He still defends the chrome armor.
Other movies like Excalibur 1981?
What’s the famous underexposed film story?
The initial fight scene had to be filmed three times. The film came out underexposed twice due to a faulty exposure meter. The cameraman had a nervous breakdown and quit.
Why so much Excalibur movie nudity?
Boorman believed Arthurian legend was “earthy and sexual.” The incest scene between Arthur and Morgana is supposed to be uncomfortable. Mission accomplished.
Where is Morgana’s breastplate now?
In John Boorman‘s house. His will states it will be given to Helen Mirren.
📺 Where to Watch Excalibur 1981
Now that you know where it was made, here’s where to actually watch the damn thing.
- Amazon Prime Video: Rent or buy in HD.
- DVD/Blu-ray/4K UHD: The 4K disc has a new Boorman interview.
- Excalibur – Behind the Movie: Join the cast and crew to share memories.
- Other platforms: Apple TV, Max (formerly HBO Max), Vudu/Fandango, YouTube Movies.
Now go watch a man in 60 pounds of wet steel shiver for your entertainment. For Camelot. 🏰🗡️
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is provided for entertainment purposes only. We don’t guarantee the accuracy of any of these facts and don’t recommend making important life decisions based on them. All referenced titles, names, and related intellectual property are the property of their respective owners, and no copyright infringement is intended.
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