It’s time to take up your sigil and do your house proud as you take on a heroic nine-day quest to explore the famous backdrops of Game of Thrones. Follow in the footsteps of Baratheons, Greyjoys, Starks and Targaryens as you explore the sites used around Ireland to create the hit TV show.
Beginning with a lesson in all things medieval in Trim Castle, you’ll take eight days to journey the scenes of the Seven Kingdoms. Explore sections of the Kingsroad, Dragonstone, The Iron Islands and Vaes Dothrak as you make your way around Ireland, stopping at various other sights along the way.
The last two days of the trip are devoted to exploring Dublin, a city with a vibrant history that’s gory and wicked enough to rival the Lannister-Stark feud. Perfect for true-blue fans of the series, this trip is sure to be the vacation of a lifetime for any fan brave enough to undertake it.
Start in County Meath and visit the impressive Trim Castle, founded in 1173 by the Norman, Hugh de Lacy, and where a scene from Braveheart was filmed. The castle is one of the largest and best preserved in Ireland. Check into your hotel and enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your fellow travelers. Your evening includes a visit from Trim Living History to view and see a demonstration of Medieval weapons and armor.
Leave Trim and start exploring Westeros from the television series as you pass the beautifully remote Binevenagh Mountain and visit the early Christian settlement of Monasterboice. Drive to Downhill Strand, known in the series as Dragonstone. Continue exploring the dramatic coastline and visit Mussenden Temple, built in 1785, this building is now one of the most photographed in Ireland.
Drive to visit the picturesque ruins of Dunluce Castle, which is perched atop basalt rock jutting out over the sea. The castle was filmed in the popular television series as the House of Greyjoy on the Iron Islands. Continue your journey to the unique and legendary Giant’s Causeway, made of hexagonal columns formed 60 million years ago. End your day exploring the Seven Kingdoms with a visit to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
Leave your hotel this morning and continue your journey as you drive north along the Nine Glens of Antrim, for lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Pass the Dark Hedges in County Antrim, where Arya Stark made her escape down Kingsroad in season two. Explore the Cushendun Caves where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow creature. Continue your travels to stop and view Cairncastle, an open area of many hills and beauty and used to film scenes from season one, four and five. Visit Shillanavogy Valley which sits under the Slemish Mountain and enjoy a close up look at the area filmed as the Dothraki grasslands.
Embark on a sightseeing tour around Belfast, including the University area, and visit Crumlin Road Gaol to learn about the jail’s 150 year history. Travel along the shores of Lough Neagh to Shane’s Castle, built in the 1300’s on the edge of the lake. The lough and castle were used in seasons one and five. The caverns underneath are used for filming the crypts in Winterfell. Return to Belfast for dinner with your group in the hotel restaurant tonight.
Drive along the scenic Strangford Lough – an area with close ties to St. Patrick. It was transformed into the Narrow Sea for the television series. Visit the haunting ruins of Inch Abbey, and explore Tollymore Forest Park in County Down. Spend some time at Castle Ward, a 14th century castle complex transformed into Winterfell, home of the Starks, for filming of the series. Enjoy admission to the movie set, dress up in authentic outfits, and pose for countless photo opportunities. Drive to your hotel in Newcastle for an overnight stay.
Drive to Dublin for a panoramic tour viewing the historic buildings with a local guide. Visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the Old Library. The evening is free for shopping and dining.
Enjoy a full day free in the heart of Dublin. Use your Hop-on Hop-off pass to get around the city and see any number of historical sites. A visit to one of the following attractions is included: Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, General Post Office Museum or EPIC Ireland.
