Game of Thrones In Northern Ireland
You’ve been hooked on the HBO Game of Thrones Series for years, but did you know we are lucky enough to have the majority of its fantastic filming locations right on our doorstep. In this blog we share with you our top must-see locations.
Tollymore Forest Park- River Trail, Co. Down
The Forest appeared in the first season of the show as the lands around Winterfell when Ned Stark comes across the orphaned Direwolves- the symbol of House Stark- and finds there are as many pups as there are Stark children.
This 3.1 mile circular walk from the main car park follows the Azalea Walk downhill to the Shimna River. Here the trail turns up-stream along the attractive tree lined river bank past the Hermitage to cross the river at Parnell’s Bridge. There is an optional spur to the White Fort Cashel before following the Spinkwee River downstream, past the cascades and back to the Meeting of the Waters. The trail proceeds through conifer plantations, past the duck pond and crosses the Shimna River over the Old Bridge, returning to the car park via Green Rig.
Dunseverick Castle to Ballintoy Harbour, Co. Antrim
This smallf harbour Ballintoy features in season two of Game of Thrones. Here Theon Grey joy returns home to Lordsport Harbour.
Ballintoy can be found on section 5 of the Causeway Coast Way. This 7.8km is best explored at low tide to allow you to walk along White Park Bay beach. From Dunseverick Castle, continue east along the coastline. One of the highlights of this walk past the limestone cliffs, rock archways and golden sand of Whitepark Bay.
Portstewart Strand – Sand Dune & Estuary Trail, Co. Derry~Londonderry
Portstewart Strand doubled as the coast of Dorne in season five of Game of Thrones when Jaime Lannister was tasked by his sister Cersei to bring her daughter Myrcella back to King’s Landing.
This beach is owned and managed by the National Trust. The beach has the European Blue Flag award for its water quality and beach/dune management. Car parking is restricted to certain sections of the beach. What is less known about Portstewart Strand, are the towering sand dunes (containing some of Ireland’s tallest dunes) and declared as an Area of Special Scientific Interest, together with the adjoining Bann Estuary. From here the Rive Bann (N.Ireland’s longest river) ends its journey, on entering the North Atlantic.
Binevenagh, Co. Derry~Londonderry
Binevenagh appeared as the Dothraki Grasslands in season five when Daenerys Targaryen was rescued by her dragon, Drogon, while fleeing from the Sons of the Harpy in the fighting pits of Meereen.
From the Leighery Road pass through the gate into the forest and follow the path taking the first track to the left. Follow this trail uphill for 1.5km before turning right onto forest road towards the summit of Binevengagh. Pass the west side of the trout stocked artificial lake, then head NW towards the cliff edge. Panoramic views from the summit stretch for miles. One a good day the north coast is visible, as is Scotland. The surrounding slopes are home to a number of rare alpine plants and birds. Follow the path NW down to the forest, when you arrive at a track turn right and you will soon be back at the start.
Castle Ward, Co. Down
A popular pilgrimage for many Game of Thrones fans Catle Ward appeared in Game of Thrones season one as the iconic Winterfell- home of the House Stark.
Overlooking Strangford Lough this woodland estate Castle Ward has been home to the Ward family since the 16th century. The 18th century mansion house rests on a rolling hillside overlooking the Lough and surrounded by a beautiful 820-acre walled demesne with gardens and woodland. There are a number of walking trails to explore including the Shore Trail and Castle Trail.
Belmore Forest: Pollnagollum Cave Walk, Co. Fermanagh
The cave featured in season three of Game of Thrones as Beric Dondarrion’s hideout in The Riverlands.
Pollnagollum Cave in Belmore Forest is part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in Co. Fermanagh. The cave is fed by a waterfall and you can follow the Belmore Forest walk which leads to a viewing point for the cave. This 4.3 mile walk is located in the Boho-Belmore Mountain area, right in the heart of Fermanagh’s cave country. Beneath your feet lies an extensive maze of caves which attract cavers and potholers from far and wide to west Fermanagh. One of the most intriguing mammals found in the Belmore uplands is the Irish hare. Larger than rabbits, adult hares have black tips on their ears and their long back legs giving them a distinctive walk or ‘lope’. Depending on the time of day and year keep a watchful eye out for bats and birds around the cave entrance
Downhill Strand, Co. Derry~Londonderry
In Game of Thrones, Downhill Beach appeared in season two when Stannis Baratheon rejects the Seven Gods of Westeros and allows Melisandre to burn their effigies as an offering to the Lord of Light.
Located in the very north of Northern Ireland, the beach is part of a seven mile stretch of sand offering a wealth of activities including water sports and scenic walks. Above the beach is the prominent Mussenden Temple, one of the most photographed buildings in Northern Ireland.
Lough Neagh, Co. Armagh
Located in the centre of Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh was the location used to film the Summer Sea one of the major oceans of the known world south of both Westeros and Essos. Summer Islanders are a thriving civilization of sea-farers, whose merchant vessels can be found throughout the Summer Sea.
Did you know Lough Neagh is Northern Ireland’s largest inland body of water.There are lots of walks to enjoy in the surrounding counties of Armagh, Tyrone, Derry~Londonderry and Antrim. However, we recommend exploring from Oxford Island a haven for wildlife and a great location to start exploring secluded bays and islands. This four mile walk offers those all important views of the ‘Summer Sea’.
Sallagh Braes, Co. Antrim
A popular stop off point for fans of the show, Sallagh Braes was used as the film location for the Riverlands, one of the consituent regions of the Seven Kingdoms and a frequent battleground for civil wars
Sallagh Braes is a stunning 1.8 mile linear walk across exposed hillside, leading to and along the edge of the Sallagh Braes basalt cliffs. Views can be enjoyed across the cliffs to the valley below and the Irish sea in the distance. Interpretation can be found in Linford Car Park. This walk follows the yellow and blue waymarkers for the Ulster/Antrim Hills Way. The view over the curving cliffs make this a very memorable piece of walking.
Fairhead An Bealach Runda Walk, Co. Antrim
Dragonstone Cliffs is home to many pivotal scenes from the final seasons of Game of Thrones as Daenarys Targaryen plans her re-conquest of westeros. It is here that large amounts of dragonglass can be foundd, one of only two materials that can be used to kill White Walkers; ther than being Valyrian Steel. It is here Samwell Tarly makes a game-changing discovery: Dragonstone sits atop a mine of dragon glass.
Enjoy breath-taking views from the cliff edge of Fairhead on this ruggedly beautiful, wild and remote 3.1 mile walk. Expect stunning coastal views towards Ballycastle and Rathlin Island and look down on the picturesque Murlough Bay. You’ll also pass historic loughs and open green farmland on one of the many walk options which are guaranteed to invigorate the senses. The iconic cliffs of Fairhead tower above the famous Sea of Moyle where mythology states the Children of Lir, were put under an evil spell transforming them into swans to spend 900 years in exile from humanity.
If you explore any of these walks, make sure you take a picture and tag us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #WalkNI.
