Measuring 87 metres in length and telling the story of Game of Thrones® from Seasons One to Eight, this Bayeux-style tapestry is a beautiful hand stitched tapestry and an incredible feat of creativity and skill.
Weaving has arrived...
Made from local linen supplied by Thomas Ferguson's in Banbridge in County Down, one of the last surviving linen mills in Northern Ireland, this enormous tapestry brings to life the Game of Thrones® story.
Thread by thread, visitors can relive the trials and tribulations of the show’s characters and its most famous scenes, including the Red Wedding and Hardhome.
Initially the tapestry depicted Seasons 1 to 6, but as the final two seasons (7 & 8) played out on our screens, they were added onto the tapestry, bringing the story to a close. The length of the tapestry is such that it is one of the longest in the world and one of the largest textile objects ever displayed in the Ulster Museum.
Take a closer look and you'll spot the incredible level of detail that has been achieved through hand embellishment. A small army of enthusiastic stitchers (300 nimble fingers fuelled by regular intakes of coffee) worked tirelessly to add embroidered highlights, including golden Lannister hair, emerald green wildfire, cold blue White Walkers and jet black crows.
Continue on your adventure Thronie ...
There's lots more Game of Thrones® related fun to be had once you've finished at the museum. We recommend that you check out the nearby Glass of Thrones Walking Trail, as well as the official Game of Thrones® Studio Tour in Banbridge and make sure to pickup a Doors Passport, which is stamped each time you visit a location on the incredible "Doors of Thrones" trail. The Journey of Doors is made up of 10 hand-carved doors built from iconic Dark Hedges trees, each of which tells a story from each episode of Season 6.
If you want to explore what's on the doorstep of the museum, venture outside its doors and in to the beautifully kept Botanic Gardens. There's beautiful lawns perfect for a well deserved rest, as well as extensive rose gardens and a Palm House - a large glass house packed with exotic plants and trees, built in the 1800s. The Tropical Ravine is a listed building which dates back to 1887, and has been restored with many of its original Victorian features reinstated and preserved.
Further afield in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, you'll find the Dark Horse pub with a surprise for Game of Thrones® fans, and the area in general is a hub for foodies and those looking to soak up Belfast's nightlife, with plenty of incredible restaurants and lively bars to choose from.
Building out your trip...
Extend your stay into a short break, by booking a room in one of Belfast's top hotels. Within walking distance of the Ulster Museum you'll find The Malone (4*), and a short walk towards the heart of the city centre takes you to the doors of the Europa Hotel (4*), Ten Square (4*) or Fitzwilliam Hotel (5*), to name a few.