New locations, props and sets are now official tourist destinations that you can visit. Grab your pals and go!
Winter is here coming but that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors and count the days until Game of Thrones returns because the Game of Thrones experience in Ireland is about to get even better.
As Game of Thrones finishes filming after a decade in Northern Ireland, HBO is celebrating the show’s incredible legacy in these parts by converting several filming locations into tourist attractions.
House Greyjoy might swear by the words ‘We Do Not Sow’ but if you’re a fan of the show, you and your mates could all be saying ‘We Must Now Go’ and visit some of the breathtaking Irish locations that have been a prominent feature of the epic fantasy.
From our own experience, we’d highly recommend a visit to Winterfell – better known as Castle Ward, Down – but that’s just one of the many exquisite Irish locations that have hosted some key scenes in the Seven Kingdoms.
For the first time ever, fans of the Emmy Award-winning series will have the unique opportunity to visit iconic sets from the show and immerse themselves in the world of Westeros.
Building on the success of past Game of Thrones live branded experiences, including the Touring Exhibition and the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, HBO will open up the production archives and share them with the series’ loyal fans.
That news would even make Jon Snow smile.
Well…
In true Game of Thrones fashion, the Game of Thrones Legacy attractions will be on a scale and scope bigger than anything the public has ever seen, offering the first opportunity for the public to set foot inside some of the most iconic locations from the series and behind the camera lens to see how the world’s biggest TV show was made.
Each site will feature not only the breathtaking sets, but will also exhibit displays of costumes, props, weapons, set decorations, art files, models, and other production materials. The visitor experience will be enhanced by state-of-the-art digital content and interactive materials which will showcase some of the digital wizardry the series is known for.
“HBO is thrilled to celebrate the work of the Game of Thrones creative team and crew by preserving these locations and inviting fans to visit Northern Ireland and explore Westeros in person,” said Jeff Peters, Vice President, Licensing and Retail, HBO.
“We look forward to opening the gates and sharing the excitement of stepping inside these amazing sets with Game of Thrones fans from around the world. The opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland’s pivotal role in the life and legacy of the show and share its culture, beauty and warmth is also a huge inspiration behind these Legacy projects.”
“The Game of Thrones Legacy project will be a game changer for Northern Ireland on a global tourism level,” added John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism Northern Ireland.
“We very much welcome this exciting announcement by HBO and look forward to attracting many more visitors to our beautiful country as a result.”
Given the unique and impressive nature of the production work in Northern Ireland, plans are underway to include the standing sets for iconic locations such as Winterfell, Castle Black, and Kings Landing alongside a formal studio tour of Linen Mill Studios, which will showcase a wide array of subject matter from the series spanning all seasons and settings.
A description of the full scope of the Game of Thrones Legacy project will be revealed at a later date after the exploratory process is completed.
The new tourist attractions should be available to visit in 2019. Perfect timing considering we’ll all have a massive Game of Thrones-shaped hole in our lives.
The North Remembers and you’ll definitely remember a visit to the North after getting a first-hand look at these beautiful locations.
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