Roe Valley to feature in new Universal Pictures ‘Dracula Year Zero’ film

The production company behind the sci-fi film entitled ‘Dracula Year Zero’ has permission to film at Roe Valley Country Park on 5th and 6th August. The Country Park will remain open to the general public although there may be some areas inaccessible while filming is ongoing.Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, said: “We have wonderful landscapes in Northern Ireland. We are enriched with attractive country parks. Roe Valley is just one example and films such as this provide a great opportunity to showcase our natural beauty both locally and on a world stage. “While we apologise for any minor inconvenience this may cause to the visiting public, there is no doubt that the spin-off publicity will ultimately lead to many more tourist visits. Therefore the net benefits to the Park, to the town of Limavady and to the rest of the North would far exceed any short term inconvenience. I would like to see the film industry get their teeth, even more, into DOE sites and properties and certainly am available to listen to any potential projects. ”The Horror film entitled 'Dracula Year Zero' stars Luke Evans (Fast and Furious). The storyline based on the original Bram Stoker novel retells how Vlad, Prince of Transylvania, becomes a vampire in order to defeat the Turkish army who are trying to take over his kingdom. Notes to editors:1. Roe Valley Country Park is situated in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is located in the valley of the River Roe, extending 5 km along both sides of the river south of the town of Limavady. It lies between the Binevenagh and Sperrins Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the Limavady Green Belt. The Country Park is 20 km from Coleraine, 25 km from Londonderry and approximately 90 km from Belfast.2. Several NIEA-managed properties have been used as film-sets for TV and cinema productions in recent years. These include Dunluce and Audley’s Castles, Inch Abbey and the Quoile Pondage. A new tourism sector is developing in which film fans tour the locations at which films have been shot, bringing addition income to the Northern Ireland economy. NIEA and Universal Pictures are also negotiating the use of other NIEA properties inthe making of this film.