Northern Ireland: The Magical places from Game of Thrones

I remember it like it was yesterday, waiting with bated breath for the next episode of “Game of Thrones.” It was one of those series that I watched with full attention. Therefore, visiting Northern Ireland, I was determined to see the epic locations that served as the backdrop for this show. The Emerald Isle became one of the primary locations for this production. Personally, I can’t imagine “Game of Thrones” without the specific dark aura and rugged landscape of Ireland. So, what secrets of Westeros does this island hold?

The first stop are the ruins of the 16th-century Dunluce Castle, which served as the inspiration for Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy. Although only the walls of the castle remain, it still makes an incredible impression. The stark walls look quite photogenic on the high cliff and give the impression that the entire structure might collapse into the sea at any moment.

Further south, you’ll find the Dark Hedges – currently the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland and also the most frequently photographed spot. The Dark Hedges is an avenue lined with uniquely twisted trees, famous from the series as the Kingsroad. Indeed, if you were to remove the asphalt and add a bit of a dark atmosphere, you could feel like you’re on the set of “Game of Thrones.”

Traveling along the picturesque coastline of Northern Ireland, it’s worth stopping at The Fullerton Arms. This bar is located at the hotel of the same name and holds a special attraction for fans of “Game of Thrones.” As soon as you enter, you are greeted by doors intricately carved from trees from the Dark Hedges, unfortunately destroyed during a storm in 2016. These majestic trees were part of the famous Kingsroad, so as a natural consequence, they’re used to create these iconic doors from the series.

However The Fullerton Arms is just the beginning of the “wooden” adventure. Traveling along the northern coast of Ireland, you can embark on the “Journey of the Doors“. This unique route takes us through various restaurants and bars where thematic wooden doors are displayed, depicting scenes from the sixth season of “Game of Thrones”. Interestingly, these doors are placed in locations where the series was filmed, making this journey even more special. To make this trip more interactive, it’s worthwhile to get a special passport where you can collect stamps from each visited location in the world of Westeros.

Below is the door from Mary McBride’s Bar.

The next stop on the route is Larrybane Quarry. At first glance, the place may seem unassuming, but it was used in “Game of Thrones” as a backdrop for Renly Baratheon’s camp. It was here in the second season that Brienne of Tarth fought with Ser Loras Tyrell in a tournament before King Renly and his new wife, Queen Margaery Tyrell.

Continuing south, it’s worth making a short stop to visit the Cushendun Caves. Formed around 400 million years ago due to erosion, these caves may not be so spectacular, but they are definitely worth visiting. It was here that Melisandre gave birth to a strange shadow creature that subsequently murdered Renly Baratheon.

The last point probably doesn’t need much introduction. Castle Ward is a picturesque estate situated on the shores of Strangford Lough lake, which became one of the key filming locations for Westeros, specifically – Winterfell, the seat of House Stark. The Winterfell Castle looks exactly like it does in the series, with its distinctive gate resembling scenes of the Stark family’s arrival at the estate, and the courtyard where Eddard Stark taught his sons martial arts.

The castle dates back to the 18th century and is characterized by interesting architecture. Part of this estate is built in the Neoclassical style, while the other part is in the Gothic style. The Stark Castle is located within a vast estate that features many walking paths and picnic spots.

Castle Ward is about a 40-minute drive from Belfast. It’s best to get there by car, but there is also an option to take an organized tour from the capital of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland offers breathtaking landscapes and landmarks that takes you straight into the world of “Game of Thrones”. Whether someone is a fan of the series or not, I guarantee that these amazing places will enchant everyone.