Cinema and TV-inspired things to see and do in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has it’s very own Hollywood. We’re not just talking about the pretty seaside village on the northern coast of County Down here, we’re talking about a track record in film and TV productions that stretches right across the country. Which means that everywhere you go here, there’s a TV or film location, activity, tour, experience or source of creative inspiration to be found.
The biggie: Game of Thrones®
Dragons, dwarves, armoured horses, swords and swordsmen, Game of Thrones® has it all going on, and much of it went on in Northern Ireland. HBO didn’t have to look far for their castellated, brooding landscapes to bring mythical Westeros to life, because Northern Ireland’s dramatic and breath-taking landscapes and atmospheric castles and manors more than fitted the bill.
Better still, not only are the spectacular Game of Thrones® locations a must-see if you’re a confirmed Thronie, they’re well worth seeing in their own right too, even if you don’t take one of the many themed tours or experiences on offer.
See the places and palaces for yourself
Self-guided tours are ideal if you want to do your own thing or follow your own schedule. You can visit key locations at your leisure and stay as long or as short as you like.
In County Down you can visit both the dramatic Castle Ward Estate which doubled as Winterfell, and the Haunted Forest from Series 1 at Tollymore Forest Park. Meanwhile, up north in County Antrim, the Cushendun Caves appeared as a cove in the Stormlands.
One of the most popular and memorable locations is a little inland of Ballycastle, where an atmospheric, tunnel-like avenue of beech trees leading to Gracehill House was transformed into the Dark Hedges. Up on the coast from here you’ll find Mussendun Temple, known as Dragonstone in the series, and Downhill Beach, while further south in County Fermanagh look out for Pollnagollum Cave, which stood in for the series’ sprawling underground complex known as Hollow Hill.
Get close to the action with a Game of Thrones® experience, or two
There are loads of Game of Thrones® experiences to choose from – guided & behind-the scenes insider tours, self-drive tours, immersive experiences and food experiences. Here are some that any fan of Game of Thrones® or fans of breath-taking scenery should check out.
The Game of Thrones® Tour is definitely one for the fans! This tour is run by McCombs, the same company responsible for transporting cast and crew to and from filming locations during Seasons 1-5, so these guys have the inside scoop. You will travel along the famous Causeway Coastal Route, stopping at key filming locations, including: Cushendun Cave where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow creature, Ballintoy where Theon Greyjoy arrived back to Pyke Harbour, and the Dark Hedges where Arya Stark made her escape.
Meanwhile, the Off The Beaten Track Tour is sometimes called the "Hang out with Hodor" Tour. Flip Robinson (your guide) was a stand-in for Hodor and The Mountain in Season 6, you see. He also doubles as your driver in this relaxed tour which takes in extraordinary landscapes, dramatic views and delicious behind-the-scenes tidbits from the show.
Aim for a bellyful of Castle Ward Estate aka Winterfell
This is set within the grounds of Castle Ward Estate, better known to Thronies as Winterfell Castle and Demesne, and is just a short 40-minute drive from Belfast. You’ll recreate the experience of stepping into the GoT world by dressing like a member of the Stark family. You will also tour the movie set, take loads of photos of your experience and test your archery skills in the real-life Winterfell!
While you’re at it Castle Ward Estate is also the venue for the King’s Banquet, a lavish banquet which replicates the meal that welcomed King Robert, Queen Cersei and Joffrey when they made their visit North to ask Ned Stark to be the 'King's Hand'.
Beyond the thrones
Game of Thrones® might be playing a starring role in recent years, but there’s plenty of other silver screen and small screen stuff to be explored while you’re here. And if it’s films about Northern Ireland that spark your interest, there’s plenty here to interest you too.
Derry Girls
With its unique blend of humour, 90s nostalgia and teenage angst, this comedy struck a chord with people everywhere. The multi-award winner was shot in Derry-Londonderry and Belfast so keep a beady eye out for the Guildhall, Bishop’s Gate on the historic Derry Walls, and the Bogside shops. There’s a selfie-friendly mural of the show beside the city’s Foyleside Shopping Centre and there’s also a walking tour of the places that popped in and out of the series, including Dennis’s Wee Shop.
More lights, camera, action
Jed Mercurio’s tense anti-corruption cop drama Line of Duty stars local hero Adrian Dunbar, and also Belfast’s BT Tower and the Invest NI building. More local heroes, Holywood, County Down actor Jamie Dornan and Armagh-native John Lynch, together with The X-Files’ Gillian Anderson, starred in The Fall, a gripping thriller about a serial killer which featured Belfast’s Merchant Hotel, Botanic Gardens, Belfast Waterfront and the Malmaison Hotel.
Belfast’s thriving music scene was the subject of Good Vibrations, based on a true story of a record shop and label that championed the city’s underground punk scene. Belfast locations including the Tavern Bar, Oh Yeah music centre, and Queen’s University featured heavily.
If Game of Thrones® wasn’t speculative enough for you, then blockbuster movie The Lost City of Z, tells the story of Percy Fawcett, who led explorations into the Amazon in 1925 in search of a lost civilisation. Its star-studded cast includes Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller and much of it was filmed at Castle Ward Estate in Co Down, and around the Antrim Hills which doubled as the Somme battlefields.
