Get In Lads: We’re Going on An Adventure: Journey into Westeros
It is no wonder filmmakers look to Northern Ireland when considering locations to inspire. From coastlines of mythical proportions to dense forestry, the North is a definite contender. But the magic of Northern Ireland isn’t just for filmmakers—it’s for everyone.
Shannon Relates Ballintoy Harbour
My love for Game of Thrones developed as an unexpected result of the Covid pandemic. The entire series came and went, and I was just like Jon Snow—I knew nothing. Armed with hesitation and time, I sat down to watch the tv series I had so successfully avoided.
From the first episode, I could not believe I had denied myself for so long. Reputation of Houses, battles, complicated bloodlines. You name it, Game of Thrones has it.
It wasn’t until several seasons in that I discovered Northern Ireland was one of the main filming locations for the series. Naturally when planning our second trip, seeing Northern Ireland made sense. Mentioning our Game of Thrones interest to Philip, our trusted tour guide and now friend, was all it took to have some filming locations added to our Northern adventures.
You don’t need to be a Game of Thrones fan to appreciate the stunning locations chosen for the series. Ballintoy Harbour is just one example of many that highlights Northern Ireland’s stunning landscape.
Ballintoy Harbour is in County Antrim, along the Causeway Coast. This 30-mile stretch of coastline features many natural wonders, including rugged cliffs and caves.
If there’s ever been a beach that could be called cozy, Ballintoy Harbour would be it. Ocean spray flitting off an assortment of weathered rocks that create many alcove-like spaces allows visitors the opportunity to retreat and enjoy moments of solitude. This location offers both concealment and visibility.
Ballintoy Harbour
The small beach invites investigation. Its compact size makes the beach and the surrounding areas easy to explore on foot. A stunning feature this stop yields is an abundance of natural black rocks, mostly made from basalt.
Game of Thrones
Shapes sculpted by the forces of wind and water, these rocks enclose small tidal pools. A further glance along the beach coastline and Theon Greyjoy’s baptism scene in Game of Thrones comes to life.
If you’re a fan of a good scavenger hunt, embarking on a quest to find the 10 Game of Thrones doors might just be the adventure you didn’t know you were craving. Created from two beech trees damaged by the famous storm at the Dark Hedges, these 10 doors depict key moments from Season 6. Seeing all 10 would be a real accomplishment!
Titled “The Battle of the Bastards,” Door #9 can be found near the front entrance of the Garden Restaurant in the Ballygally Castle. The intricately carved wooden direwolf lets you know you are in Stark territory, along with the depiction of Winterfell.
House Bolton’s hounds are also represented, ensuring a shiver of those who know what happened at the end of episode 9 from Season 6. Forgoing any direct interest in the series, the craftmanship alone is worth a visit to any of these doors. Throw in the positive reuse of the Hedges, then this makes this stop a no-brainer.
Karen Relates The Dark Hedges
If you haven’t watched Game of Thrones, you can still enjoy a visit to the Dark Hedges, also located in County Antrim. This highly photographed location features a picturesque line of beech trees that transform the landscape with the changing light from sunrise to sunset.
These trees were planted in the late 18th century to create a grand boulevard leading to Gracehill House, designed to impress visitors as they approached the estate. Today, fewer than 90 of the original 150 trees remain, as many have been lost to storms and other environmental factors.
What I find most fascinating about the Dark Hedges is the shape of the trees. Their smooth, elongated trunks stretch upward, with branches reaching out like arms locked in an otherworldly dance. Walking through this tunnel of trees feels almost magical, as though you’re being enveloped and shielded from whatever lies beyond—or perhaps drawn toward something enchanting, like the entrance to Narnia.
It is easy to imagine tree nymphs or tree folk hiding here, naturally blending into the mythical landscape. As an avid reader of fantasy books, I can’t help but imagine endless possibilities of what might inhabit the landscape.
As a fan of the Game of Thrones books, I decided to dive into the HBO series after reading them twice. Seeing the Dark Hedges on-screen as the King’s Road and then visiting the site in person, you will notice it is not quite the same, as the line of trees is thinner. While CGI enhanced the visuals for the show, the trees still exude an eerie, haunting atmosphere, especially during early dawn or dusk, as captured in many photographs online.
While the Dark Hedges might not look exactly like they do in Game of Thrones, there’s still much to appreciate about this place, if not just for the beauty of nature itself. Recently, since our visit to the Dark Hedges, some trees have been cut down, and more are being monitored for potential removal as they continue to decline.
Preservation efforts are in place, such as banning cars from driving through, but other factors continue to contribute to the deterioration of the beech trees. If you find yourself traveling in Northern Ireland, it might be worth a visit while many of the trees still stand.
Read more of Karen & Shannon’s Get In Lads, We’re Going on an Adventure, HERE
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Karen Bennett and
Shannon Thomas-Ziemnik
*Karen and Shannon are two old friends who share a passion for all things Irish. You can find them at PJ’s on Tuesday nights with a Jameson and ginger in hand, attending the Speak Irish Cleveland class. As far as their column-writing abilities are concerned, this is, in fact, their first rodeo. They can be reached at [email protected].
