Stefan Scaini’s Hallmark Channel Film, Christmas At Castle Hart is the perfect Irish-themed holiday movie. Starring Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend, the 2021 movie features several scenic places around Ireland.
Christmas At Castle Hart centers on Brooke and Margot Bennett, two sisters who work as servers in NYC and are eventually fired out of nowhere. After hitting rock bottom and finding no other job, the Bennett sisters decide to go to Ireland to find out about their Irish roots.
Before dying, their father revealed that he was Irish, so they used it as a chance to get to know more about their family. Once they reach Ireland, they run into Aiden Hart, the Earl of Glaslough. Brooke and Margot’s dream of being event planners finally becomes reality when Aiden hires them to be the main event planners for the glamorous party at the castle.
A predictable yet wholesome love story soon develops between Brooke and Aiden, creating tension as Brooke has lied about her real identity. Besides Lacey Chabert as Brooke and Stuart Townsend in the role of Aiden, the cast of Christmas At Castle Hart consists of Ali Hardiman as Margot and Kate O’Toole plays Dutchess of Abercorn.
Filming Locations
This Hallmark movie takes place in the location it’s set in, which is Ireland. With its scenic forests and perfectly decorated landscapes, Ireland ended up being the best place for Christmas At Castle Hart.
Most locations that we see in this Stefan Scaini film are real and not just a studio set up specifically created for the movie. When the sisters decide to leave for Ireland, they plan to stay in a cozy little village. This was Kinvara, a small seaport village in County Galway, Ireland.
Although small, Kinvara has various spots that make it worth a visit, such as the Burren Nature Sanctuary, the Port of Kinvara, and the Dunguaire Castle, which was shown in Christmas At Castle Hart.
Built in 1520, the Dunguaire Castle has seen eras of warring clans, and popular historical figures have stayed at this castle. Visitors can see how medieval life was at the castle for themself as the place hosts knowledgeable tours on the site.
Coming to the location where the Earl stays, the Dromoland Castle was used as a filming spot for the Castle Hart. Built in the 15th century, Dromoland Castle is one of the most famous places in Ireland. With its stunning Gothic revival architecture, the place was built for Baron Inchiquin.
The picturesque castle was later sold to an American named Bernard P. McDonough, and soon afterward, the castle was changed into a 5-star luxury hotel. With a Michelin star to its name, the Castle Hotel has hosted prominent people like George W. Bush, John Lennon, Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, and many others.
Despite its popularity as a hotel, Dromoland Castle hasn’t been featured in any other films besides Christmas At Castle Hart. The village of Kinvara, however, has been featured in quite a few projects, such as North Sea Hijack and Bad Karma.
The 7th largest County in Ireland, County Clare, was another filming location in this Lacey Chabert film. The pub seen in the movie was the Knox Pub at 18 Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare. Clare has a long legacy of being the center of traditional Irish music, while also offering picturesque views to those who visit the place.
Another location in Ennis was the Poet’s Corner Bar, where Brooke and Margot meet Aiden. Lough Cutra Castle, a privately owned castle, was also seen in a few shots of Christmas At Castle Hart. This is the 19th-century style place where Brooke and Margot stay while working for Aiden at Castle Hart.
Built way back in 1817, this scenic castle lies right next to the huge Lough Cutra Lake, which is also privately owned. The only time the castle is available for the public is during their annual triathlons. Visitors can rent out certain parts of the Gothic-style building for events.
The Brooke and Aidan Christmas market scene was filmed at the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Located at the heart of Bunratty village, this place is believed to have been built in the 15th century. It lies very close to Shannon Town in County Clare. Brooke and Aidan later also visit the castle.
Other places around Ireland that made it to Christmas At Castle Hart’s scenes would be The Shelbourne, the Ardroney Church, and the Cliffs of Moher over the West Clare coast.
Christmas At Castle Hart is available to stream on Prime Video, Apple TV+, or Hallmark Channel’s website.
