The Brooklyn filmset in Enniscorthy Wexford is currently one of the most visited locations in Wexford. In the film, the town of Enniscorthy is transported back in time to the early fifties. The story is based on Colm Tobin’s award-winning book of the same name. Directed by an Irishman (John Crowley) and starring an Irishwoman (Saoirse Ronan), it is the emotional story of Ailish Lacey’s journey to 1950s America, and the resulting sense of displacement she feels when she is called back to Ireland after finally adjusting to life in Brooklyn, New York. Enniscorthy is the second-largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The costume and location detail in the film is just breathtaking.
It is possible to visit the actual streets and places that you have read about in the book and that you saw in the movie. John St, Court St, The Folly, Mrs Kelly’s shop, and The Athenaeum. St Aidan’s Cathedral was also used, as was the church in Tagmon Village which is about a half hours drive away from Enniscorthy. Other locations include Castle Street which looked glorious with the 1950s makeover. Even exterior shots of the Cathedral were expertly re-created to give the impression of what it was like to stand outside Mass in the town over 60 years ago. Some of the most eye-catching scenes from Enniscorthy location centres around the Athenaeum. This is where the dance hall scenes were filmed. The beach scenes were filmed at Curracloe Beach (a regular hot spot for film producers including Steven Spielberg).
ABOUT BROOKLYN
BBC Films, Telefilm Canada, Board Scannán na HÉireann/The Irish Film Board, BFI and SODEC present a Wildgaze Films/Finola Dwyer Productions/Parallel Films/Item 7 co-production. Hanway films are handling international sales, and Lionsgate will release in the UK. Production design is by Francois Seguin (‘The Barbarian Invasions’, TV’s ‘The Borgias’) and Yves Belanger (‘Dallas Buyers Club’) is Director of Photography. Costumes are by Odile Dicks-Mireaux (‘The Constant Gardener’and BAFTA® nominee for ‘An Education’) with make-up design by Morna Ferguson (‘The Guard’).