Welcome to Westeros: Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Northern Ireland

Twisted canopy of trees form the eerie Dark Hedges. Better known in Westeros as the Kingsroad!

A walk down the Dark Hedges…already, it sounds like an imaginary place! However, we assure you that it is very real, and that is its real name. The famous Dark Hedges is a mystical, foreboding tree-lined avenue made up of a canopy of interlocking tree branches. Planted in the 18th century, the beech trees frame the entrance to the Georgian manor, Gracehill House.

In Westeros, the sinister trees become part of the Kingsroad when Arya Stark is travelling north in disguise as a boy after having escaped King’s Landing following the assassination of Ned Stark.

Old bridge in Tollymore Forest. Watch out for White Walkers!

Tollymore Forest Park, located in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, is a full of rocky outcrops, jagged grottos and caves. There are also stone follies and more than a dozen bridges crossing the Shimna River. Perhaps best of all, there are forests of beautiful, exotic trees. It is a lovely place for an easy hike under canopies of green leaves along the trickle of the Shimna River. Check out our list of best bike rides in Ireland, including an incredible route through the Mourne Mountains and Tollymore Park. 

On-screen, Tollymore takes on a far more sinister note: it is here that the dreaded White Walkers regroup to begin their march on the kingdoms of men. Alternatively, it is also here that the Stark family finds the direwolves that become the Stark family companions throughout the following seasons (even as the family disperses) at the beginning of the series.  

Shane’s Castle Northern Ireland – several scenes were filmed in the castle, underground in its massive underground network of tunnels and out on the shores of Lough Neagh.

The picturesque ruins of Shane’s Castle on the shores of the massive Lough Neagh is a working estate consisting of 1,000 acres of peaceful forests and farmland, habited mostly by sheep and cows. The ruins, though hard to trace their origins, date back to the 16th century, possibly even a century or two earlier. It was made a ruin by a terrible fire in 1816. Under the castle, there is a massive and impressive network of underground tunnels, storage and possibly catacombs (though not open to the general public). Today, it is a popular spot for themed events, festivals and weddings – and Game of Thrones fans!

In Westeros, Shane’s Castle serves as the backdrop for the royal jousting tournament in order to honour Ned Stark, as well as the dungeons of King’s Landing. It is rumoured to feature in season six. Nearby Lough Neagh became the Summer Sea where Ser Jorah commandeers a vessel on which to transport a captive Tyrion Lannister. It also was where Brienne of Tarth fought a group of bandits on her quest to take Jamie Lannister to King’s Landing.

Exploring the underground Shane’s Castle – you just might run into one of the various Game of Throne’s characters!

Palladian facade & grounds of Castle Ward

Castle Ward, County Down, is a beautiful 18th century manor house, home to the Ward family since 1570. Castle Ward’s most intriguing feature is its two-faced nature: the front half of the house and facade is designed in classical Palladian style while the back half of the house (interior and exterior) and facade are designed in Georgian Gothic, and seems right out of a Gothic horror tale! It’s also not too far from Tollymore Forest Park.

In Westeros, Castle Ward portrayed the outdoor scenes of Winterfell, ancestral home of the Starks, in the pilot and season 1, including the archery scenes. (It’s also where the Whispering Wood was filmed, along with Robb Stark’s battle camp, and a few battle scenes). Today, Castle Ward is not only open to the public, but you can take a ‘Game of Thrones Tour’ featuring, archery, costumes, and more!

Pollenagollum Cave & its impressive waterfall curtain

Not far from the Republic of Ireland border is the amazing Marble Arch Geopark. Certainly one of the most fascinating subterranean landscapes in Ireland, the Marble Arch Geopark is made up of a series of natural limestone caves that stretch for 11.5 km (about 7 miles). Pollenagollem Cave, located in Belmore Forest Park, is just one of these subterranean miracles, and its location makes it one of the region’s hidden gems. The cave is fed by a beautifully magical waterfall that fans the cave’s entrance from the cliff overhead.

In Game of Thrones, Pollenagollum Cave features in season 3 as Beric Dondarrian’s outlaw hideout, headquarters of the Brotherhood without Borders guerrilla resistance group. It is here that Arya Stark and her companions are brought to meet the resistance.