Arcadia Ireland

This Saturday we took a trip to the Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland. Game of Thrones is a hit HBO series, set in a fantasy world full of dragons, monsters and lots of people in cloaks fighting to win the 'Iron Throne'.  A substantial part of  the show is filmed in Northern Ireland; at Titanic Studios in Belfast and at various locations throughout the picturesque countryside. 

Our first stop was Tullymore Forest Park, where much of the first episode of season one was filmed. We put on our cloaks and headed in to the forest, for a hike to the various locations. Regardless of the show, the scenery in the forest was absolutely stunning! Two of our students had never seen Game of Thrones and told me they had come along for the walk in the pretty countryside - they were not disappointed.

Following Tullymore Forest we went for lunch to Paddy’s Barn near Downpatrick, where there was a special surprise for us! We got a meet one of the dire wolves from the show and her owner whose whole family is involved in Game of Thrones and now the History Channel production Vikings.

After our encounter with the dire wolf, we visited two castles used in filming season one and two including 'Winterfell'. Everywhere we went our guide gave us a full run down of what was filmed in each location, with picture boards, and even a tablet to watch some of the scenes. We got a great insight into all the planning and logistics involved in such a huge production, and how CGI is used.

We finished up at the church ruin where the ‘King of the North’ scene was filmed, we all received replicas of the swords, axes and shields used in the show so were able to really get into character!

Now we are all set for Season 6 of Game of Thrones to come out this April!!