The Office of Public Works refused to allow hit TV show The Traitors to shoot at the famous Hill of Tara, one of dozens of filming requests they turned down last year.
The OPW said they welcomed filming and photography that promoted heritage sites as places for education, culture and public enjoyment.
However, filming of a paranormal, political, or inappropriate nature was not permitted or in cases where a plan put forward is not feasible for the location.
An internal log shows there were almost 500 applications made in the space of a year with over two thirds of them agreed to – for TV documentaries, music videos, and even wedding photos.
Among the refusals was a request to use the Hill of Tara for filming of The Traitors series, which was broadcast on RTÉ in 2025.
A note said the producers were on the lookout for heritage locations close to Slane Castle in Meath where the series was shot.
However, the OPW decided that filming at the royal ceremonial and burial grounds at Tara was “not suitable [to] the site.”
They were, however, happy for the producers Kite Entertainment to use the nearby Four Knocks Passage Tomb and the Hill of Ward instead.
Other refusals included one from LADbible Ireland for a promotion with Sony for the launch of the zombie film 28 Years Later.
They had wanted to erect a tower of skulls in St Stephen’s Green, but it was declined due to the “nature of [the] park.”
Pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor also received a polite ‘no’ after a request to film a music video on the Skellig Islands off the coast of Kerry.
“Not a suitable project for the site,” said a note in the OPW log.
Aerial filming above the Skelligs was refused as well in a separate application because it might have an adverse effect on wildlife there.
Asked about the Traitors application, the OPW said: “In the case of The Traitors, permission to film at Hill of Tara was refused due to the exceptionally sensitive archaeological landscape.
“The proposals were considered incompatible with the site’s conservation objectives, management strategy and public presentation.
“A separate application relating to Hill of Slane was assessed and permission was granted. Detailed risk assessments, method statements and safety proposals were required as part of the permission request.”