If you’re wondering where the Quiet Man was filmed, you’ll find a map along with each of the main spots below.
You’ll also find images showing the Quiet Man locations then and now along with information on each location.
The filming for the movie mainly took place in Cong Village and its surrounds, but several locations further afield were also used.
The Quiet Man filming locations in Ireland
Released in 1952, the Quiet Man is set in a fictional community in Ireland known as ‘Inisfree’ (not to be confused with the Lake Isle of Inisfree).
Directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, the movie tells the story of Sean Thornton (Wayne) as he leaves America to return to his native Ireland.
The movie, which is one of the most famous films set in Ireland, uses some beautiful corners of Ireland from start to finish. Discover our favourite The Quiet Man filming locations below.
1. Cong Village

Photo left: Michelle Fahy. Bottom right: Stephen Duffy. Top right: Chris Hill
We’re going to start off with the ‘main attraction’, so-to-speak. The picturesque little village of Cong in County Mayo is finely plonked between the lakes of Corrib and Mask.
This quaint, rural village acted as the backdrop for a good chunk of the film and, if it wasn’t for the Quiet Man, it’s likely that it would have never became one of the most popular small towns in Ireland.
It was within the villages boundaries that many scenes for the movie were filmed. We’ll go into the specifics below.
2. Pat Cohan’s

Photo left: The Irish Road Trip. Top right: Republic Pictures
Pat Cohan’s Pub is one of the more famous The Quiet Man filming locations and it was seen in multiple different scenes during the movie.
Arguably its most famous appearance was during the fight scene (remember when the lads had the barrel of water thrown over them?!).
A large group of men, including Sean Thornton (Wayne) could be seen scuffling outside.
Fast forward to 2024 and the exterior of Pat Cohan’s on Main Street in Cong remains the same. It’s also now one of the best places to eat in Cong.
3. Reverend Playfair’s House

Photo left: Shutterstock. Top right: Republic Pictures
One of my favourite The Quiet Man filming locations is the little cottage that sits a stone’s throw from Cong Abbey just outside the town centre, next to the river.
This cottage was Reverend Playfair’s House. If you think back to the scene where Sean and Mary Kate are out walking (Michaeleen was behind them in the horse and cart).
Sean asks Mary Kate if she can cycle and the pair run towards the cottage and take Reverend Playfair and his wife’s bike.
The cottage is still an incredibly impressive building, with beautiful ivy on the outside and finely painted window sills.
There’s a big difference in many of the Quiet Man locations then and now, but this cottage looks like it did during filming.
4. The Quiet Man Cottage

Photos via Republic Pictures
The same can’t be said for the real (I say real as there is a replica) The Quiet Man Cottage which is now in a state of ruin.
The thatched cottage was the ancestral home bought by Sean Thornton when he returned to Ireland and it was one of the more iconic The Quiet Man filming locations.
Located in Teernakill North in Galway, around a 25-minute drive from Cong, The Quiet Man Cottage is located inside a field and it can be hard to see it from the road.
You can visit the replica cottage: The Quiet Man Museum is an identical replica of the original set (get your ticket here!).
5. The Quiet Man Bridge

Photo left: Shutterstock. Top right: Republic Pictures
Another of The Quiet Man locations then and now that hasn’t changed much in 50+ years is the beautiful stone bridge.
The bridge first appeared in the movie when Sean, making his way from Castletown Train Station, was heading to his ancestral home.
In the scene, Sean hopping out of the little cart, made his way to an old stone wall and admired the beauty of Connemara while his mother’s words rang out in his ears.
When you pass over the bridge (the opposite side to the parking area) you’ll find a plaque giving a nod to the movie just to the right near the water.
6. Lettergesh Beach

Photo left: Shutterstock. Top right: Republic Pictures
Lettergesh Beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Connemara and it was for that reason that it was used to great effect during filming.
It was shown in the scene where Sean takes part in the Inisfree Cup horse racing event and the location provides a dramatic backdrop to the event.
Although the beach was packed out for the race, it’s generally a nice, quiet spot for a stroll… outside of the summer months, that is!
Fancy a guide tour of The Quiet Man filming locations? Take this walking tour in Cong!
7. Thoor Ballylee Yeats Tower

Photo left: Google Maps. Top right: Republic Pictures
One of the lesser-known The Quiet Man filming locations is Thoor Ballylee Yeats Tower (if you can say that 5 times fast, fair play to you!).
This Hiberno-Norman tower was described by celebrated Irish poet Seamus Heaney as the most important building in Ireland.
W.B. Yeats spent a number of summers here with its family and its said that the location acted as inspiration for some of his poetry.
You’ll remember the tower from the scene where John and Mary Kate are out walking and the pair cross the river with the tower in the background.
8. Cong Market Cross

Photo left: Google Maps. Top right: Republic Pictures
Cong Market Cross is one of the easier to find The Quiet Man filming locations – you’ll see it right across from Pat Cohan’s on Main Street.
The Cross (not to be confused with a Celtic Cross) was mainly seen during the fight scene in the village.
You can see the cross and Pat Cohan’s at the same time – there’s also parking along the street nearby.
9. St Mary’s Church of Ireland

Photo left: Google Maps. Top right: Republic Pictures
St Mary’s Church of Ireland is another of The Quiet Man filming locations that’s barely changed a bit.
It was at this church that Sean attended mass shortly after arriving into Ireland. It was at the end of the ceremony that our two leading characters first met.
Yep, this was when Sean wished Mary Kate good morning and she ran away.
10. Ballyglunin Train Station

Photo left: Google Maps. Top right: Republic Pictures
Ballyglunin Train Station was first established in 1860 yet it was many years later, in June of 1951, that it was really put on the map.
The station, which was called ‘Castletown’ in the movie, is located in Galway and, while it’s no longer operating, it has been finely restored.
It was here that Sean began his journey to Inisfree Village (Cong), stepping off the train to be greeted by some eager workers.
11. Ashford Castle grounds

Photo left: Shutterstock. Top right: Republic Pictures
The last of our The Quiet Man filming locations is Ashford Castle – the most impressive of the handful of hotels in Cong.
Now, although the castle itself didn’t play much of a part, many of the more impressive structures on the grounds were.
One of the more notable features featured was the beautiful bridge that can be seen in the top right photo above.
This was used in the scene where Michaeleen accompanied Mary Kate and Sean as they went on a date (they trot across the bridge).
FAQs about The Quiet Man locations then and now
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Is Inisfree a real place?’ to ‘Where is the real cottage?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
Where was the The Quiet Man filmed?
John Ford’s 1952 blockbuster The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne (Sean) and Maureen O’Hara (Mary Kate) was filmed in Cong Village in County Mayo along with parts of Connemara in Galway.
Was The Quiet Man actually filmed in Ireland?
Filming of The Quiet Man began on June 7th, 1951. Although all of the outdoor scenes were recorded on-site in Ireland (in counties Galway and Mayo), the interior scenes were recorded in Hollywood at the Republic Studios.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
S. Jenks
Friday 24th of May 2024
Very informative! Thank you.