Maps of Movies
Philomena (2013)
Where Philomena says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
An Irish convent story shot in Northern Ireland, and an American farmhouse that stood in for the Reagan-era world of her lost son
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Scenes and places
The party where Martin is pitched a story
Martin, newly out of a government job, is approached by a woman who wants him to write about her mother. He is reluctant to write a human interest story.
Set in London — A party in London where Martin meets Philomena's daughter.
The capital where Martin works as a journalist.
The convent that says the records burnt
Philomena and Martin begin their search at the convent. The nuns say the adoption records were destroyed in a fire, yet they kept the contract she was made to sign decades ago, which Martin finds suspicious.
Set in Sean Ross Abbey — The Tipperary convent where Philomena was sent in 1951 and where she and Martin begin their search. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A Catholic convent in Roscrea, where unmarried mothers were sent in the 1950s and worked in the laundry.
Filmed at Killyleagh, Co. Down (Co. Down, Killyleagh, United Kingdom) — The film was shot in this Northern Ireland town; which building stood in for the abbey is not named. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
The pub where the locals talk
A local tells Martin the nuns did not lose the records in a fire but burnt them on purpose. He hears that many children were sold abroad.
Set in Roscrea — A pub in the town near the abbey where locals talk to Martin. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A market town in County Tipperary, a few minutes from the abbey.
Washington, and the Lincoln Memorial
Martin brings Philomena to the United States after a lead there. Jet-lagged, she is eager to see the sights of the capital.
Set in Lincoln Memorial — Martin and Philomena in Washington, D.C., where his search takes them after Ireland. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The marble memorial on the National Mall.
Filmed at Lincoln Memorial, Washington — The crew of more than a hundred filmed here before moving to Poolesville, Maryland. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Back at the convent: Martin loses his temper
Martin walks into the nuns' private quarters and demands to know why Sister Hildegarde kept mother and son apart. She does not apologise.
Set in Sean Ross Abbey — The convent where Martin confronts an elderly nun about what she knew. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The same convent as the first visit, later in the film.
Filmed at Killyleagh, Co. Down (Co. Down, Killyleagh, United Kingdom) — Same Northern Ireland filming town as the earlier abbey scenes; the exact building is not named. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there:
Filmed at St. Paul Community Church, Poolesville, Maryland — An American Catholic church Google Maps · Apple Maps
Filmed at The Conway house, Potomac, Maryland — A home in the American section Google Maps · Apple Maps
Characters
- Philomena Lee — An Irish woman who was forced to give up her toddler son nearly fifty years ago and has kept it secret.
- Martin Sixsmith — A London journalist who has lost his job as a government adviser and takes on her story.
Questions answered on the map
- Where was the Irish convent in Philomena really filmed?