Brad Pitt spotted filming in Co Laois

Sarah Slater

Hollywood star Brad Pitt is hanging out in rural Co Laois this week as he films scenes for his next movie, The Riders, at the historic Ballyadams Castle.

The Oscar-winning actor is playing the lead role of Fred Scully in the production, an Australian searching Europe for his wife, who vanished after leaving their daughter alone at an airport.

Filming is taking place across several other locations across the country, including Cork, Dublin, Kerry and Wicklow for several weeks and during the summer throughout other European countries.

Medieval Ballyadams Castle, located close to Ballylinan on the Laois/Kildare border, was built in the 15th century and was a residence for several centuries.

Also starring Julianne Nicholson and Coco Greenstone, the Edward Berger directed film is an adaptation of Tim Winton's 1994 acclaimed novel.

The 62-year-old’s latest projects include the 2025 Formula 1 racing movie F1 and the Netflix period comedy-drama The Adventures of Cliff Booth, along with the film Wolfs.

The Plan B Entertainment production is due for release at the end of this year.

Scores of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the A-list star and he greeted onlookers as he left the film set on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, gloves created by Irish designer Paula Rowen feature in the hit film and sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2, which went on international release last week.

Rowen said it was a "real pinch me moment” for her to have her designs used in the film.