13 Surprising Game of Thrones Locations in Northern Ireland

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This post is about the Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland!

For all of you Game of Thrones lovers out there, this post is for you. Whether you already have a trip planned to visit Northern Ireland, or you are visiting this beautiful country just to see all of the Game of Thrones locations, this post will take you through all of the locations I was able to pack into my recent trip.

Getting around to all of these locations requires a car, so I highly recommend if you want to have an easier time hitting as many filming locations as possible, you should rent a car. Many people will recommend this is the best way to see Northern Ireland, and I honestly couldn’t agree more. There is so much to see and so many hidden gems along the way from destination to destination. 

But you’re here for the Game of Thrones locations. So let’s get into it! As I mentioned before, this is not ALL of the locations Game of Thrones filmed at in Northern Ireland. There are tons more, but we just didn’t have the time to cram them all in.

North Coast Game of Thrones Locations:

Dunluce Castle – Castle Greyjoy

Welcome to Castle Greyjoy! When Theon returns home to beg his family to join forces with Robb Stark’s army, he is reunited with his sister. Dunluce Castle acts as the backbone of Castle Greyjoy and the rest is CGI movie magic.

Ballingtoy harbor – Iron Island

Ballingtoy is easily one of my favorite filming locations on the north coast because of how little CGI was used in creating the Iron Island harbor. You really feel like you are standing there next to Theon as he returns home and then again when he sets sail to take Winterfell for himself.

Larrybane Quarry – Renly Baratheon’s War Camp

Talk about the scenics and art department on Game of Thrones! This overflow carpark for Carrick-A-Rede was transformed in Renly Baratheon’s War Camp with tents and banners covering the entire cliffside. This is a very important scene as we meet Brienne for the very first time!

Portstewart Strand – Dorne

What might just look like a beach to you is actually a surprising Game of Thrones location! Welcome to Dorne. Although other Dorne scenes were filmed in Spain and Croatia, Jaime and Bronn’s scene is filmed here in Northern Ireland!

Dark Hedges – King’s Road

One of the most well-known Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland is the Dark Hedges aka the King’s Road. The trees on either side of this gravel road are simply breathtaking! I have visited this specific location many times simply because of how beautiful it is. You will remember the scene of Arya and Gendry traveling back North on this very road. 

Castle Ward Game of Thrones Locations:

Old Castle Ward – Winterfell

One of the most anticipated filming locations of the trip was Winterfell itself! Located in the National Trust’s Castle Ward, you will find yourself in Winterfell at the Old Castle Ward. Just like Greyjoy Castle, Old Castle Ward acts as the backbone to the CGI created Winterfell we all know and love. We begin the show in the courtyard with the Stark boys target practicing and later on greeting the King and Queen.

Audley’s Field and Castle – Battle of Oxcross

Just a few minutes’ walk from Old Castle Ward, you’ll arrive at Audley’s Castle which you might recognize as another Game of Thrones location. Here is the aftermath of the battle of Oxcross. Rob Stark meets Talisa for the very first time!

Southern Game of Thrones Locations:

River Quoile Downpatrick – Hoster Tully’s Funeral

A small yet comical scene in Game of Thrones is the funeral of Hoster Tully, Lady Stark’s uncle. His body is sent down the River Quoile before being set aflame by a burning arrow. His family watches from a nearby dock.

Here is a screenshot and address for the exact location. You can park in any of the trail’s carparks to make this as long or as short of a pitstop as you wish.

Quoile River GOT location, Quay Road, Downpatrick, UK

Inch Abbey Road – Robb Stark’s Camp after Battle of the Whispering Wood 

Inch Abbey is not only a Game of Thrones location, but it is also a beautiful place to visit! The windows and stonework is stunning, so you should definitely plan a little extra time to explore this stop. One of the most important scenes of season one occurs here. Robb Stark sets up camp here after victory at the Battle of the Whispering Wood. He has taken Jamie Lannister as prisoner and has been titled “King of the North”.

Tollymore Forest Game of Thrones Locations:

I was blown away by how beautiful Tollymore Forest is, so even if you aren’t a huge Game of Thrones fan, you should definitely check out a hike or two in this forest.

These filming locations are not marked like many of the others on this list. You have to search really hard. I highly recommend using reference photos (which I have provided) to help guide you.

Tollymore Mournes – Dismembered Wildling Bodies

This one is not on the trail. You have to walk into the wooded area a bit in order to find it, but you will know it when you see it!

This is one of the opening scenes of the entire show. When a deserter from the Wall races off from a white walker attack, he discovers dozens of dismembered wildlings organized into a shape or symbol.

Altavaddy Bridge – Finding the Direwolves

This location is also off the trail, but it is a little easier to find. Just look for the Altavaddy Bridge and climb down the bank until you are by the water. Here is where the Starks find their Direwolf pups.

Rustic Bridge — Campfire

Another one off the trail and probably the hardest to find. This location was used for the scene where Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister camp while headed north to the wall.

In order to find this location, you will have to walk along the river between the steppingstones and the rustic bridge. It’s somewhere in between both.

Belfast Game of Thrones Locations

Six GOT Windows in Belfast

If you find yourself in the city of Belfast during your Northern Ireland travels, you definitely need to check out the Game of Thrones Stained Glass Windows! These six handmade windows are scattered along a scenic walk. For any kind of fan, these are worth your time.

Game of Thrones Locations

There you have it! The Game of Thrones Locations of Northern Ireland. Like I mentioned before, there are at least dozen more not mentioned on this list. These were only the ones I had time to visit while on my trip around the country.

For added Game of Thrones activities, you should check out the Game of Thrones Studio Tour which is a paid tour that takes you through real life sets, costumes, and more!

If you are looking for more things to do and see around Northern Ireland, here is my blog post which ties in well with this self-guided tour of the Game of Thrones locations. Northern Ireland has tons to offer for everyone, and there are definitely places you shouldn’t miss on your upcoming trip. Go check it out here!

This post is about the Game of Thrones locations in Northern Ireland.