Because much of the series’ interior scenes were filmed in the massive Paint Hall of the former Harland &Wolffe shipyard (where Titanic was built) and many of the exterior locations were shot throughout Northern Ireland, several Belfast companies offer tours of the various filming locations. One of the most popular tours, and the one we chose to take, was offered by “Irish Tours.” The advantage for us choosing this company was that our tour guide, Andrew Thompson, had been an extra throughout much of the series , beginning in season four. He added many interesting back stories about the series.
Our all day tour included the history of the series, it’s mythology, religion, and politics surrounding the two main families. While traveling along the Antrim Coast Road, we made several stops at actual locations used for filming the series:
CARNLOUGH - this quaint fishing village along the coastal road beside the North Channel was featured in season six, episode seven (“The Broken Man”). It was used to depict the fictional village of Braavos. The character Arya Stark was stabbed by the canal . She jumped into the water to escape her attacker and then crawled up the steps into the streets of Braavos..
CUSHENDUN CAVES - just a short distance from the village of Carnlough are the Cushendun Caves. Extreme weather conditions over 400 million years ago were said to have formed these caves. In more modern times, the caves became the backdrop for the “Stormlands” and where Melisandre gave birth to the Shadow Baby.
CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE - ( we had blogged about this site in a previous posting) - the lower parking lot for the rope bridge was used as the setting for Renly’s War Camp in the Storm lands.
LARRYBANE QUARRY - About a quarter-mile from the rope bridge is a limestone quarry known as Larrybane. In the Game of Thrones, this site was used to depict Brienne of Tarth’s success over Ser Loras Tyrell.
DUNLUCE CASTLE- Originally built in the 13th century, the castle was the seat of the McDonnell Clan until the 16th century, when it began to fall into disrepair. In The Game of Thrones, the ruined castle provided the setting for the Pyke stronghold House of Greyjoy.