Where is Holding filmed? Irish set locations for ITV series based on Graham Norton’s book

The drama features stunning backdrops
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ITV’s murder mystery Holding has gripped the attention of viewers since it was released on 14 March 2022.

The four-part TV show is based on the book of the same name by TV personality Graham Norton.

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It tells the story of “a small Irish village that knows little drama.” But after the discovery of human remains, Sergeant PJ Collins must uncover the truth.

The four-part series is based in the fictional village of Duneen, West Cork in Ireland - but where is the action filmed?This is what you need to know.

Conleth Hill as Sgt PJ Collins in Holding (Credit: ITV)Conleth Hill as Sgt PJ Collins in Holding (Credit: ITV)
Conleth Hill as Sgt PJ Collins in Holding (Credit: ITV)

Where is Holding filmed?

The programme is filmed in various parts of County Cork in Ireland.

Author Graham Norton grew up in the area, where he spent most of his youth before moving to London.

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The filming for the programme took place in the perfect scenic backdrops of West Cork.

The cast and crew headed out to County Cork in August 2021.

Here are some of the main locations of the show:

Drimoleague

Aerial view of Castle Donovan, the remains of an Irish tower house in a valley near Drimoleague (Adobe)Aerial view of Castle Donovan, the remains of an Irish tower house in a valley near Drimoleague (Adobe)
Aerial view of Castle Donovan, the remains of an Irish tower house in a valley near Drimoleague (Adobe)

Drimoleague is a small village that lies roughly halfway between the towns of Dunmanway and Bantry.

There is a large sign on the approach to the village that describes it as being the Heart of West Cork.

The main street of Drimoleague stretches alongside a tributary of the River IIen basin.

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The arrival of the West Cork Railway in 1880 turned the village into one of the busiest railway junctions in West Cork before turning into a hub of walking networks.

Drimoleague is now described as the ‘Walker’s Junction of West Cork’ and has five Drimoleague Heritage Walkways.

Drimoleague boasts a number of guest houses, restaurants and bars to encourage visitors to visit the village.

Explore West Cork describes Drimoleague having a “strong community, proud of its past and welcoming to newcomers. Each house in the village bears its own legend of unforgotten characters and well-rehearsed folklore.”

Castletownshend:

Castletownshend’s historic tower (Adobe)Castletownshend’s historic tower (Adobe)
Castletownshend’s historic tower (Adobe)
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The village of Castletownshend is situated on the coast and is roughly 8km from Sikbbereen.

The castle, in which the town gets its name, was built in the 1600s by the Townshends.

The village then developed around the castle, with the main street running down a steep hill towards the castle, as well as the quayside and harbour.

Castletownshend’s church Saint Barrahane’s sits on top of the hill with beautiful views of the village below.

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Inside the church are three stone tablets that tell visitors the history of the village and its founding families.

About 1km out of the village is Knockdrum Fort which is a circular hill-top stone fort.

From the vantage point visitors are able to see ‘The Five Fingers’, which are thought to date back to the Bronze age.

The now three, megalithic stone monuments still stand upright, with the tallest standing at 4.3 metres.

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