Excalibur
Starring Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Gabriel Byrne, and Liam Neeson.
This fantasy film about legendary King Arthur and his sword pushed Ireland into the international film scene and the impact it has had on the industry in Wicklow continues today. The film follows the travels of the legendary sword Excalibur from the myth of King Arthur and its journey from the hands of Uther Pendragon into the stone to being redrawn by Arthur who uses it to defeat evil invaders and for the Holy Grail Quest all under the watchful eye of Merlin. Luggala Estate and Lough Tay, in the Wicklow Mountains near Roundwood, were used for many of the locations including the final scenes when Perceval throws Excalibur back into the lake and a hand rises from the water and catches the sword. Other locations used are Powerscourt Waterfall near Enniskerry, Childers Woods, which are part of Glendalough Estate, Wicklow Head and Ardmore Studios in Bray, and old woodland area near Oldbridge, Lough Dan. Watch the trailer for the film here
