The film “Cocaine Bear” has created a buzz among moviegoers due to its unusual premise and real-life inspiration. The movie is based on the true story of a black bear that consumed a large amount of cocaine that was dropped from a drug smuggler’s airplane in the rural areas of Georgia in the 1980s. The film was mostly shot in Ireland’s picturesque county of Wicklow.

Photo:  Keri Russel and Cocaine Bear

Powerscourt Waterfall and Avoca Mines were chosen as locations to represent the Georgian wilderness where the real-life incident took place. Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall, and its stunning beauty makes it a popular location for film shoots. Meanwhile, the Avoca Mines is an abandoned copper and lead mine located in the Wicklow Mountains that provided the perfect backdrop for the movie’s gritty and rugged scenes.

Photo:  Avoca Mines during the shoot of the “Vikings” series

Wicklow has earned the name of “Hollywood of Europe” due to its popularity as a filming location. Some of the most famous movies shot in Wicklow include blockbusters such as “Braveheart”, “Excalibur” or “P.S. I Love You” and more recently Disney’s “Disenchanted” and the Netflix Series “Vikings: Valhalla”.  The county’s stunning landscapes and historic buildings have made it a favorite location for filmmakers looking to capture a sense of otherworldliness or historical authenticity. Moreover, the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers most of the county, has also attracted a number of nature documentaries and adventure films.

Photo:  Powerscourt Waterfall during the shoot of the “Vikings” series