Game of Thrones Locations in Northern Ireland
Here in Ballygally we are close to many of Northern Ireland’s Game of Thrones Locations.
Ballintoy Harbour County Antrim Game of Thrones locations Lordsport This fishing village on the coast of County Antrim stood in for Lordsport Harbour, the backdrop for Theon’s return to the Iron Islands. Here, Theon paid homage to his ship was baptised in the name of the Drowned God, and was reunited with his sister Yara.
Binevenagh The Antrim Plateau Game of Thrones locations: Dothraki Grasslands Formed 60 millions years ago by molten lava flows, the stunning Antrim Plateau make a perfect stand-in for the Dothraki Grasslands – specifically where a stranded Daenerys encounters a horde of horse warriors at the end of Season 5. Binevenagh is on the very western edge of the plateau, the steep cliffs of which dominate the skyline of nearby villages.
The Dark Hedges County Antrim Game of Thrones locations: The Kingsroad A popular tourist attraction even before the Game of Thrones association, its link to the show has driven visitor numbers up so much that traffic was recently banned from the road. The avenue of beech trees was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress visitors as they approached Gracehill House. But fantasy fans are now wowed by its use as The Kingsroad.
Cushendun Caves Country Antrim Game of Thrones locations: A cove in the Stormlands Cushendun Caves was once a landing place and harbour for travellers between Ireland and Scotland. Game of Thrones fans may recognise the caves near the village of Cushendun as where the Red Priestess Melisandre gives birth to the shadow creature which ultimately kills Renly. Glenariff, the Glens of Antrim (Photo: Shutterstock)
County Antrim GoT locations: Runestone The biggest of the Glens of Antrim, formed during the Ice Age by glaciers, Glenariff (nicknamed ‘Queen of the Glens’) stood in for the settlement of Runestone in Season 5. It’s where Littlefinger takes Sansa to meet with Lord Royce and watch Robin Arryn training in The Vale.
Larrybane County Antrim Game of thrones locations: The Stormlands The quarry at Larrybane – one of the most sheltered locations along the Causeway Coast – was used as Renly Baratheon’s camp in the Stormlands in Season 2. It’s where the tournament in which Brienne of Tarth is introduced took place.
Shillanavoghy Valley County Antrim Game of Thrones locations: Dothraki Sea This valley lies beneath Slemish Mountain, said to be where St. Patrick tended sheep after being brought to the area by pirates who slaughtered his family. A legend worthy of Game of Thrones. The location was used in Season 1 when Daenerys and Khal Drogo made camp in the long-grassed plains of the Dothraki sea.
Lough Neagh, Toome Canal County Game of Thrones locations: Old Valyrian Canal Another picturesque area of NI with a scenic connection to Game of Thrones. It’s seen in Season 5, when the disgraced Jorah Mormont takes Tyrion prisoner, throwing him bound and gagged into a stolen boat and setting sail for Meereen.
Murlough Bay County Antrim Game of Thrones locations: Iron Islands/Renly’s Camp Best known for Theon’s horse ride with Yara, and the location of Davos Seaworth’s post-Battle of Blackwater Bay shipwreck, Murlough Bay is something of a a hidden gem on the Causeway Coast, down a steep path to a secluded beach. The windswept cliffs above of it were also used for the parlay between Stannis and Renly in Season 2.
Downhill Beach County Derry Game of Thrones locations: Dragonstone Downhill Beach is part of a seven-mile stretch of sand that offers a vast array of activities from sea swimming to scenic walks. Not that you’d want to use the Blue Flag beach when Game of Thrones was in town; the production transformed the area into the shores of Dragonstone, where those who defied the Lord Of Light were sacrificed by Lady Melisandre.
Portstewart Strand County Derry Game of Thrones locations: Coast of Dorne This area of natural beauty and scientific interest between Portstewart town and the mouth of the River Bann is managed by the National Trust, who allowed Game of Thrones crews to use the location as the balmy Coast of Dorne. The Season 5 scenes of Jaime Lannister and Bronn storming into the south of Westeros were filmed here.
Pollnagollum Cave County Fermanagh Game of Thrones locations: Beric Dondarrion’s Hideout This spectacular cave in Belmore Forest is fed by a waterfall, and during more inclement weather can swell to a torrent. Luckily the weather stayed calm for scenes depicting the Brotherhood without Banners’ hideout in Season 3.
Quintin Bay County Down Game of Thrones locations: Stokeworth Quintin Bay is home to one of the few occupied Anglo-Norman castles remaining in the region, built in 1184. It also served as the location for Game of Thrones’ Stokeworth, where Jamie Lannister tracks down Bronn to ask him to journey with him to Dorne.
Tollymore Forest County Down GoT Game of Thrones locations: The lands around Winterfell Tollymore has an interesting claim to fame: oak wood from the forest was used in the interiors of White Star liners, including the Titanic. It also appeared in the very first episode of Game of Thrones, where Robb, Bran, Jon and Theon Greyjoy find the Direwolf pups.
Leitrim Lodge County Down Game of Thrones locations: North of Winterfell Leitrim Lodge is a granite mountain range in County Down with some of the best panoramic views you’re likely to find in the country.
Im sure you didn’t miss how many of these Game of thrones locations were in Co. Antrim some of them within 5 minutes drive!