AS ALL IRISH Game of Thrones fans will know, much of the filming for the programme takes place in different locations in Northern Ireland.
They’re helped along by CGI to become Westeros for the show, but remain just as beautiful off-camera too. Check them out.
1. Castle Ward, Co Down – AKA Winterfell
Castle Ward is in fact an 18th century stately home – but the 16th century ruins above serve as the home of House Stark. Fans who visit the castle can recreate the scene where Jon Snow and Robb Stark teach Bran archery.
2. Ballintoy Harbour, Co Antrim – AKA Pyke
This quaint harbour was used as the town Lordsport in Pyke, where Theon Greyjoy arrives in Season 2 to discuss an alliance between the Starks and the Greyjoys.
3. Quoile River, Co Down – AKA Riverrun
This beautiful spot became the home of the Tully family in the show – and this particular area was used to shoot Hoster Tully’s funeral in Season 3.
4. Cushendun Caves, Co Antrim
In a rather grisly (and NSFW) scene from season 2, the Red Priestess Melisandre gives birth to a shadow baby. And where did she do it? In this very cave!
5. Tollymore Forest Park, Co Down – AKA the Haunted Forest
The forest can be seen in the very first episode of the series, and is the setting for many great moments in the show involving the Starks, White Walkers, and direwolves.
6. Portstewart Strand, Co Derry – AKA Dorne
Much of the filming for Dorne is done in Spain, but in season 5 Jaime and Bronn can be seen making their way into Dorne through the sand dunes of this beach.
7. Mussenden Temple, Co Antrim – AKA Dragonstone
For season 2, these cliffs were transformed into Dragonstone, ancestral home of House Targaryen and current stronghold of the Baratheons.
8. The Dark Hedges, Co Antrim – AKA The Kingsroad
The Dark Hedges appear on the show basically unchanged, and appear frequently in scenes with the Starks during seasons 1 and 2.
9. Shillanavogy Valley, AKA Dothraki Grasslands
This valley at the foot of Slemish Mountain serves as the home to the Dothraki – and also the location of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo’s wedding. Glam.
