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I did not really intend for this to be a Game of Thrones Northern Ireland tour, but Rabbie’s was offering an introduction to Northern Ireland, and it was the perfect fit. My husband and I are Game of Thrones (GoT) fans. I know the first time I watched the series, I binged watched it until 4:30 am. I am sure I’ve seen the whole series at least twice from start to finish.
Paul had visited one of the Basque sites near Bilbao—Gaztelugatxe (Dragonstone—Daenerys’ coastal castle (season 7, episodes 2-3).
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I’d explored Girona’s sets back in 2015. This was in St. Mary’s (Girona) Cathedral but was the “Citadel’s Library.” (image at left) in season 7, episode 4: “The Spoils of War”.
By the end of our Rabbie’s Tour, we had the others vested in our quest. Did we want to see the Dark Hedges? Hell yeah!
Game of Thrones Northern Ireland Filming Locations
Glenarm (Steensons Jewellers)
Crafters of the Hand of the King pin given to Tyron (Season 5, Episode 8: “Hardhome”) and Sansa’s delicate Stark crown (multiple seasons). Tucked in the Glens of Antrim’s rolling valleys, this family jeweler’s workshop feels like a hidden Westerosi treasure!
They let you try on the crown if you want, and you know I did! They only had a few pieces that they were allowed to display but not sell. It was great fun!
Carnlough Harbour
Braavos’ Old Valyrian Canal, where Arya Stark surfaces gasping from her death-defying plunge (season 6, episode 6: “Blood of My Blood”). This postcard-perfect Antrim harbour’s stone quay and bobbing fishing boats mirror the Free Cities’ waterway, backed by the dramatic wild Atlantic Sea.
Cushendun Caves
Stormlands cave where Melisandre births her smokey shadow assassin through dark sorcery (season 2, episode 4: “Garden of Bones”). Carved into pink sandstone cliffs on the deserted beach, these dripping sea caves amplify the scene’s primal menace with the constant North Antrim wave roar.
Dunluce Castle (Magheracross Viewpoint)
Pyke’s Castle’s sheer seaside ruins served as Balon Greyjoy’s Iron Island fortress during Theon’s reluctant homecoming (season 2, episode 1: “The North Remembers”). Teetering on the Causeway Coast basalt cliffs above churning ocean, the viewpoint nails the Greyjoys’ precarious, salt-lashed power.
Dark Hedges
Kingsroad’s twisted beech tunnel during Arya and Sandor “The Hound” Clegane’s desperate flights south (season 2, episode 10: “Valar Morghulis”). These 400-year-old beech trees near Ballymoney create a haunted, root-festooned avenue. Our Rabbie’s tour guide was kind enough to drop us nearby as we raced to the closed-off road. It is inaccessible to anyone but local traffic and is patrolled, we were told.
Castle Ward (Old Castle Ward/Winterfell)
Honestly, this was the pièce de résistance, as I clearly could envision the many scenes that were played out here. Winterfell’s exteriors were the courtyard for Robb Stark’s war council, Ned Stark’s archery lessons with Arya, and King Robert’s arrival (seasons 1, episodes 1-2; season 2). Framing Strangford Lough’s mirror-calm waters, the estate’s weathered stone arches ooze Stark authenticity.
As much as I wanted to think that the Giant’s Causeway was part of the series, it was not. It is still pretty dramatic and close enough to the other locations’ tours.
Other GoT locations not on the Rabbie’s Tour
There are other locations in Northern Ireland that would be of interest to Game of Thrones fans. Here are a few more spots that you may want to visit to add to your itinerary—some were very close to our stops, although we did not visit them.
Tollymore Forest Park (Newcastle, Co. Down)
Haunted forest where the Night’s Watchmen first meet a White Walker (season 1); Theon flees Ramsay (season 3); the direwolf dies. The ancient oaks and spooky bridges in the Mourne Mountain foothills are perfect for a hike!
Inch Abbey Ruins (Downpatrick, Co. Down)
Riverlands, where Robb Stark is hailed King of the North (season 1 finale). Serene Cistercian ruins by River Quoile—a quiet contrast to busier sites, near Down Cathedral ( a stop on Day 3 of our Rabbie’s Tour).
Murlough Bay (North Antrim Coast)
Theon and Yara’s horseback ride (season 6); Davos’s shipwreck post-Blackwater (season 2). Remote bay with sea stacks and heather—hike down for that isolated Iron Islands feel (45 minutes from the Giant’s Causeway).
Larrybane Quarry (near Carrick-a-Rede)
Stormlands camp for Renly’s tourney, where Brienne of Tarth wins her rainbow guard spot (season 2). Abandoned quarry with sea views—literally the Rope Bridge
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From stealthy Game of Thrones gems to breathtaking Giant’s Causeway drama, Rabbie’s turn our Northern Ireland introduction into a fan’s dream—without us even planning it that way. If you’re craving more coastal magic, check out their new Northern Ireland and Atlantic Coast 5-Day tour that loops in my beloved County Donegal (full itinerary here). Westeros awaits– who’s ready to chase the next throne?
Do you want to learn more about our three-day tour to Northern Ireland last fall? You can read all about our tour and the full Rabbie’s review. I also wrote a review of the accommodations on Hotel-Scoop: “Discover Shelleven House: Charming B&B Accommodations in Bangor, Northern Ireland.”
Disclosure: My husband and I were guests of Rabbie’s Tours. I have written another post with a full review. All opinions are my own.
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I have Ireland on my list. I’ll have to watch some of these movies before I go.
A great lust! Fans might also want to check out Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. It has a “Glass of Thrones” trail with six huge stained-glass panels along the Maritime Mile. Each panel depicts scenes from the series.
The caves and dark hedges look like they’d be so much more dramatic in person than on film!
The cave was creepy. If you’ve seen the scene in GoT it is just as creepy.
The hedges were looking a bit less ominous, but it was really COOL, I have to admit.