Are you planning your visit to Northern Ireland as a Game of Thrones Fan?
For ten years, HBO and Game of Thrones® made Northern Ireland their home. Filming of seasons one to eight took place in around 25 locations around Northern Ireland, including our very own Helen’s Tower.
If you are looking to get as close to the spirit of the action as possible why not book an Irish Landmark Trust property. To help you plan your visit, here are 8 must see Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland, and some self-catering Irish Landmark Trust property suggestions that would work perfectly as a base during your GOT tour.
Northern Ireland is now home to the official Game of Thrones studio tour created in partnership with Warner Bros. This tour offers an unforgettable immersive experience for fans from across the world. The studio is located a short distance from Tullymurry House.
Tollymore Forest, Co. Down
Tollymore Forest was the first state forest park in Northern Ireland, established in 1955 and covering an area of 1600 acres. Oak wood from Tollymore was the preferred material for the interiors of the White Star liners including the ‘Titanic’ which was built in Belfast.
In Season One of Game of Thrones, Tollymore Forest appeared in as the lands around Winterfell. Here Ned Stark comes across the orphaned direwolves – the symbol of House Stark.
- Ketch or Sloop at St. John’s Point Lighthouse, Co. Down > 1 hour drive
- Tullymurry House, Co. Down > 50 minute drive
Ballintoy Harbour – Co. Antrim
Ballintoy is a village on the coast of Co Antrim with the small fishing harbour located at the end of a narrow, steep road down Knocksaughey hill which passes by the entrance to Larrybane and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Home to just under 200 people, Ballintoy means “the northern townland” in Irish (Baile an Tuaigh).
Ballintoy harbour was the setting for Theon’s return to the Iron Islands. It was here that Theon first met his sister Yara and was baptised in the name of the Drowned God.
- Magherintemple Lodge, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim > 2 minute drive
- Drum Gatelodge, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 10 minute drive
- Kiln Wing, at the Old Corn Mill, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 10 minute drive
Downhill Beach – Coleraine, Co. Derry/Londonderry
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.
In Game of Thrones Season Two, Downhill Beach serves as Dragonstone, the place where Stannis Baratheon rejects the Seven Gods of Westeros and allows Melisandre to burn their effigies as an offering to the Lord of Light.
- Drum Gatelodge, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 20 minute drive
- Kiln Wing, at the Old Corn Mill, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 10 minute drive
Binevenagh – Limavady, Co. Derry/Londonderry
The plateau and steep cliffs extend for over six miles across the peninsula of Magilligan, dominating the skyline over the villages of Bellarena, Downhill, Castlerock and Benone beach. It has panoramic views over Lough Foyle, the Roe Valley, Inishowen and to the west coast of Scotland. It is and Area of Special Scientific Interest due to their geological and geomorphological features.
It 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.
- Magherintemple Lodge, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim > 35 minute drive
- Drum Gatelodge, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 40 minute drive
- Kiln Wing, at the Old Corn Mill, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 40 minute drive
Dark Hedges – Stranocum, Co. Antrim
Lined with beech trees twisted branches forming an arch over the road, The Dark Hedges is one of the most photographed areas in Northern Ireland and a popular attraction for tourists from across the world. This beautiful avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century and intended to impress visitors as they approached the entrance to Gracehill House.
The Dark Hedges were used as a filming location in Game of Thrones for the “King’s Road”. Mystical interlocking trees provide the setting through which Arya Stark escaped from Kings Landing.
- Magherintemple Lodge, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim > 35 minute drive
- Drum Gatelodge, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 40 minute drive
- Kiln Wing, at the Old Corn Mill, Bushmills, Co. Antrim > 40 minute drive
- Ballealy Cottage, Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim > 45 minute drive
- Blackhead Lightkeeper’s Houses, Whitehead, Co. Antrim > 1 hour drive
- Helen’s Tower, Bangor, Co. Down > 1 hour drive
Pollnagollum Cave, Marble Arch Caves – Co. Fermanagh
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.
The cave features as Beric Dondarrion’s hideout in The Riverlands, during season three of Game of Thrones
- Triumphal Arch Lodge, Colebrooke Estate, Co. Fermanagh > 40 minute drive
Inch Abbey – Co. Down
Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey. It has with distant views towards the Cathedral town of Downpatrick.
The site was used as Robb Stark’s Camp, Riverrun in season one of Game of Thrones. It is where he was proclaimed the King of the North.
- Ketch or Sloop at St. John’s Point Lighthouse, Co. Down > 1 hour drive
- Helen’s Tower, Bangor, Co. Down > 45 minute drive
- Tullymurry House, Co. Down > 50 minute drive
- Ballealy Cottage, Shane’s Castle, Co. Antrim > 1 hour drive
Castle Ward – near Strangford, Co. Down
Overlooking Strangford Lough, 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.
The site appeared in Game of Thrones season one as the iconic Winterfell – home of the House Stark. King Robert Baratheon arrived at Winterfell and was met by Stark during Episode 1 and this was where they talked during the hunt in Episode 2. Castle Ward made a return in Episode 10 when Bran and Osha were at Winterfell.
- Ketch or Sloop at St. John’s Point Lighthouse, Co. Down > 1 hour drive
- Helen’s Tower, Bangor, Co. Down > 45 minute drive
- Tullymurry House, Co. Down > 50 minute drive
DISCLAIMER: THESE PROPERTIES ARE INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED BY THE IRISH LANDMARK TRUST CLG. THEY ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR AFFILIATED WITH HBO OR ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH ‘GAME OF THRONES’”