A few hairy Vikings were spotted at Russellstown Reservoir recently to film scenes for the hit show

(Main picture by Stephen Deegan)

By Kim O'Leary

There was great excitement for residents living along the Kildare and West Wicklow border, as a few hairy Vikings were spotted in the area recently!  Russellstown Reservoir once again became the site for film shooting as the lakeside became dotted with Viking ships and props for the upcoming sixth season of "Vikings".

Realistic Viking ships, axes and other such props with plenty of extras milling around as the scenes were filmed close to the lake area, a popular walking spot for locals and tourists.  It wasn't hard to see the economic lift, especially in Blessington and Russborough as hundreds of extras were brought in alongside a myriad of contractors and subcontractors.

Also an ESB advert was being filmed in Blessington and the town was buzzing with mini-buses, extras, canteen caterers, film technicians, extras, set builders, costume people etc.

The cast and crew of Vikings have also in the past visited Kildare Town to shoot scenes near the Round Tower and Cathedral in 2016 while Ballymore Eustace has also featured in hit-films "Braveheart" and "King Arthur" several years ago, showing that Co Kildare is a very popular destination for filming scenes.

Kildare man and father of two, Phil Rigney is an extra for the show Vikings for several years now; he also works as a manufacturing technician.

"Being in The Vikings has been brilliant, I never had the confidence for acting. I always had an interest in The Vikings even before I auditioned, it's great to be on the show as an extra,” he said.  Phil has worked on the hit show as an extra since 2014 and with his fabulous beard it's no surprise that the Kildare man is a perfect fit for the show which has regularly sought hundreds of extras for battle scenes and raids with the historical drama continuing to make waves on an international scale.

It's clear that both West Wicklow and East Kildare have huge potential as a film destination location. There is also the added benefits of Russborough, Punchestown, Blessington Greenway and Lakes, and Tulfarris. Season 6 of "Vikings" is expected to air on Irish screens in late 2018.

Due to the stunning natural scenery it's clear that both West Wicklow and East Kildare have huge potential as film-making destinations as well as for other television shows and there is also the added benefits of Russborough, Punchestown, Blessington Greenway and Lakes, and Tulfarris.

Season 6 of "Vikings" is expected to air on Irish screens in late 2018.