How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is a dark comedy–thriller Netflix series created by Lisa McGee. The show stars Roisin Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan, and Caoilfhionn Dunne in the lead roles.
The story follows three lifelong friends who meet again after a classmate’s sudden death. What starts as a wake soon turns into a dark and thrilling mystery across Ireland.
Here’s everything you need to know about where the series was filmed and the real places you can visit.
Three childhood friends reunite in Belfast after the death of an old friend. As they search for answers, they uncover shocking secrets from their past. Their journey takes them across towns, villages, and even outside Ireland.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast was released on February 12, 2026, by Netflix.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was Netflix’s How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Filmed?
| Film Name | How to Get to Heaven from Belfast |
|---|---|
| Genres | Dark Comedy, Thriller |
| Filming Locations | Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, Malta |
| Filming Dates | July 2024 – Mid 2025 |
| Cinematography by | Ashley Barron, Nathalie Pitters, Daniel Stafford-Clark |
| Release Date | February 12, 2026 |
Filming mainly took place in Northern Ireland. Belfast served as the main production base. The crew also filmed in County Down, County Antrim, Donegal, Dublin, London, and Malta. Production began in July 2024 and continued through 2025 before the series was released in early 2026.
📍Belfast, Northern Ireland
Many important scenes were filmed in Belfast. The Seahorse Restaurant inside the Grand Central Hotel was used for Saoirse’s London dinner scene. The Lyric Theatre Belfast doubled as the BAFTA reception hall. The Queen’s University Belfast Medical Biology Centre appeared as a hospital in Episode 6. Commercial Court in the Cathedral Quarter was used for a colorful alley scene. Belfast also served as the production hub, including work at Titanic Studios.
📍Blackfriars Bridge, London
Saoirse’s early scenes set in London were filmed near Blackfriars Bridge by the River Thames. The dock scene before the BAFTA ceremony was shot outside the Oxo Tower Wharf on the South Bank. These scenes show her life away from Belfast.
📍Ardglass, County Down
Ardglass became the fictional town of Knockdara. The welcome sign and wide town views were filmed here. Jordan’s Castle, a 15th-century tower house, also appears in the series. The harbor scenes give the town its small coastal charm.
📍Carnlough, County Antrim
The Knockdara Hotel exterior and reception scenes were filmed at the Harbourview Hotel in Carnlough. This location plays a key role during the wake scenes that reunite the friends.
📍St John’s Point Lighthouse, County Down
The lighthouse scenes were filmed at St. John’s Point Lighthouse. Its black-and-yellow tower stands near Dundrum Bay and gives the show a dramatic coastal backdrop.
📍St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Belfast
This real school doubled as Our Lady of the Sorrows College. Flashback school scenes were filmed here, including the sports track area.
📍Mamore Gap, County Donegal
The roadside shrine and mountain road scenes were filmed at Mamore Gap in Donegal. The series also features the stunning Sliabh Liag sea cliffs along the Wild Atlantic Way.
📍Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Donegal
This church exterior appears in Episode 2. It is located near Mount Errigal and adds a strong Irish setting to the story.
📍Dublin, Ireland
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin Interior, Featured in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast 
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin Exterior, Featured in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast 
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin Interior, Featured in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (2) 
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin Exterior, Featured in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (2)
Scenes after landing at Dublin Airport were filmed near Parnell Square. Grattan Bridge also appears. Christ Church Cathedral is shown in the city, adding historic beauty to the show.
📍Malta (Salini Resort & Westin Dragonara Resort)
The Calmas Águas Azuis hotel in the story was filmed at the Salini Resort in St Paul’s Bay, Malta. Later scenes were filmed at The Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian’s. These sunny locations contrast with the darker Irish scenes.
📍Peace Bridge, Derry/Londonderry
The finale includes a scene filmed at the Peace Bridge in Derry. The famous Derry Girls mural also appears as a fun reference to Lisa McGee’s earlier series.
📍Hidden Village of Galboly, County Antrim
The Heaven’s Veil area was filmed at the Hidden Village of Galboly. This abandoned stone village is now cared for by the National Trust. Some chapel and stone features were added as props.
Other Notable Locations
Additional filming locations include:
- Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Rossglass
- The Ponderosa Bar and Restaurant on Glenshane Pass
- A former petrol station near Holywood
- Lorne Estate in Holywood
- Titanic Belfast museum (used as a TV studio setting)
- Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Malta
Each location helped build the mystery and emotional tone of the show.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Behind the Scenes
The show was filmed across many real towns and villages. Local crews in Northern Ireland worked closely with the cast. Many fans shared photos from Belfast and Donegal during filming, which you can see here:-
The series also used large studio sets at Titanic Studios for interior scenes.
Is There Any Trailer Available for How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?
Yes, the official trailer was released on Netflix’s YouTube channel. You can watch it here:-
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast was released on February 12, 2026, by Netflix.
FAQs
Q1: Where was How to Get to Heaven from Belfast filmed?
A1: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast was mainly filmed in Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland. It was also filmed in Donegal, Dublin, London, and Malta.
Q2: Was Knockdara a real town in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?
A2: No, Knockdara is fictional. In How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, Ardglass in County Down was used as Knockdara.
Q3: When did filming for How to Get to Heaven from Belfast begin?
A3: Filming for How to Get to Heaven from Belfast started in July 2024 and continued into mid-2025.
Q4: Can I visit the filming locations of How to Get to Heaven from Belfast?
A4: Yes, many locations like Ardglass, Mamore Gap, Blackfriars Bridge, and the Peace Bridge are open to visitors.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast was filmed across beautiful parts of Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, and Malta. From small coastal villages to busy city bridges, each location adds depth to the mystery.
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I am a huge fan of the Derry Girls-series; I watched all three seasons three times…!
So I was extremely curious about ‘Belfast’. I figure it was not in the same style als Derry-girls. Of course it wasn’t… after watching the whole season I was lost in all the stories at the end of the eight episode. So I decided to watch it all over again and at the end I could only conclude that it was simply a masterpiece!
(Harlan Coben, please take a step aside!) Everything was perfect: the actors, the scenery, the choice of music and of course this gorgious Irish accent!
We had already visited a few years ago Dublin and Belfast and we saw to our surprise the famous mural and the busses with images of the Derry Girls. Never heard of them then, thought they were the new Spice Girls. Back in Holland we did our research… I’m so glad we did.