Northern Ireland has some fantastic and beautiful places. It is also an important place for Game of Thrones, which is currently one of the world’s best TV shows. Here is a fantastic guide created by discovernorthernireland.com which will guide any fan to the world of Game of Thrones.
Dragonstone, Downhill Beach, Co. Derry
One of the most iconic locations, Downhill Beach is an 11km stretch of sand and surf located on the Causeway Coast. This magnificent location is home to Mussenden – a tiny temple perched dramatically on a 120ft cliff top, high above the Atlantic Ocean.
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Downhill was illuminated and transformed into Dragonstone in Season 2. This is the spot where the old gods burn on the beach, where Stannis pulls the flaming sword and Melisandre chants: “For the night is dark and full of terrors”.
Accommodation in the area:
Binevenagh View Cottage – 4 star
Larrybane was the dramatic spot chosen for Renly Baratheon’s camp in Season 2. This is where Catelyn Stark agrees on a treaty with Renley on behalf of her son Robb. You might remember Renly swearing he will avenge Ned’s death and bring Catelyn Joffrey’s head. And then the drama really starts to unfold…
Accommodation in the area:
Rope Bridge Cottage – 3 star
Pyke, The Iron Islands, Ballintoy Harbour, Co. Antrim
Ballintoy is situated in one of the most picturesque parts of the North Antrim Coast between the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This stunning harbour location has been used for exterior Pyke shots and as the Iron Islands.
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This picturesque coastal nook is where Theon Greyjoy arrives back in the Iron Islands and where he later admires his ship, the Sea Bitch. This is also where he first meets his sister Yara.
Accommodation in the area:
Whitepark Bay Youth Hostel – 4 star
Storm’s End, Murlough Bay, Co. Antrim
Located in North East County Antrim, Murlough Bay is an awe-inspiring location. Murlough is best known for its outstanding beauty, remoteness and views across the sea to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre. Plus the cows that sometimes graze along the sandy dunes.
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Murlough Bay becomes the Iron Islands in Season 3. This is the spot where Theon Greyjoy rides on the horse with his sister Yara. It’s also the spot where Davos Seaworth is shipwrecked after the battle of Blackwater Bay.
Accommodation in the area:
Marcool Cottage – 3 star
The Stormlands, Cushendun Caves, Co. Antrim
The caves at Cushendun were formed over a period of 400 million years and are a product of extreme weather conditions. They can be found just beyond this beautiful coastal village next to the Cave House.
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In Season 2, Cushendun is where Melisandre gives birth to the shadow baby after being brought ashore by Davos Seaworthy.
Accommodation in the area:
Fisherman’s Cottage – 3 star
The King’s Road, Dark Hedges, Co. Antrim
The Dark Hedges is a beautiful avenue of beech trees, planted by the Stuart family in the eighteenth century. Two hundred years later, the Dark Hedges remain a magnificent sight and have become one of the most photographed natural phenomena in Northern Ireland.
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The Dark Hedges is another one of the filming locations in Ireland that are now known by many. They live up to their haunting name in Season 2 of Game of Thrones. These spectacular trees line the King’s Road as Ayra Stark makes her escape from King’s Landing. Disguised as a boy, Ayra travels with Yoren, Gendry, Hot Pie and all the others off to join the Night Watch…
Accommodation in the area:
Annie’s Cottage – 3 star
Winterfell, Castle Ward, Co. Down
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Castle Ward is the prime location for Winterfell and the lands surrounding Winterfell in the North. This is where King Robert Baratheon and his retinue arrive and are met by the Starks in Season 1. This is also the place where Bran and Osha’s scenes in Season 1 take place.
Accommodation in the area:
Potter’s Cottage – 4 star
Robb Stark’s Camp, Audley’s Field, Strangford Lough
Lots of drama unfolds in Audley’s Field and Castleby Strangford Lough. Visit and you can even explore Robb’s Trail, one of two Game Of Thrones self-guided cycling tours provided by Clearsky Adventure Centre in the Castle Ward Estate.
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Audley’s Field was used during Season 1 as King Robert Baratheon and his retinue arrives at Winterfell. It’s the backdrop of Robb’s Camp in Season 2 and the place where he first meets Talisa. Later on, Audley’s Field is where Alton Lannister is imprisoned with Jaime (and doesn’t live to tell the tale).
Accommodation in the area:
Slievemoyle Cottages – 4 star
Riverrun, River Quoile, Co. Down
Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, this historic site is used as the location of the Twins in the Riverlands.
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The River Quoile features a couple of key points in Season 1. This is where Robb’s army needs to cross the Trident, so Catelyn Stark goes to bargain with Walder Frey to seek permission. In the next episode, it’s the place where Catelyn and Robb learn of Ned’s beheading and declare “We will kill them all”.
Accommodation in the area:
Dunnanelly Country house – 4 star
The Haunted Forest, Tollymore Forest Park, Co. Down
Tollymore Forest Park, which was featured in the first episode of Season 1, covers an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the beautiful Mourne Mountains. This romantic forest is home to trees, woodlands, streams, grottos and caves – and offers panoramic views of the sea at nearby Newcastle.
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You might remember this haunting forest from the scene in which a member of the Night’s Watch rides through the snowy forest and stumbles upon dismembered Wildling bodies. It’s also where Ned Stark and his boys come across the gored stag and find direwolf pups.
Accommodation in the area:
Widows Row – Slieve Donard Cottage – 3 star
Beric Dondarrion’s hideout, Pollnagollum Cave, Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, Co. Fermanagh
Pollnagollum Cave in Belmore Forest is part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in County Fermanagh. Its name is Irish for ‘Hole of the doves’. The cave is fed by a waterfall and swells to a torrent during harsh weather. If you fancy catching a glimpse, you can follow the Belmore Forest walk which leads to a viewing point for the cave.
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The exterior of Pollnagollum Cave was used to film Beric Dondarrion’s hideout in Season 3.
Accommodation in the area:
Meadow View Apartment – 4 star
Credit to discovernorthernireland.com for this brilliant guide.
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