Virtual tour: ‘Game of Thrones’ original locations, sets, costumes, props in Northern Ireland

February 22, 2023 | 12:21pm

NORTHERN IRELAND — With an estimated production cost of US$16 million for season 1 to US$15 million in seasons 8 to 10, and with US$285 million in profit according to Bloomberg, Home Box Office’s (HBO’s) original fantasy drama series “Game of Thrones” (GoT) is literally the biggest and greatest show on Earth.

While the show was shot in different locations around the globe, many of the scenes and around 80 to 90% of its extras, including the Wildlings and the White Walkers, came from Northern Ireland, said Patrick, a seasoned guide from coach travel company McComb’s.

While Northern Ireland has been feted for being the location of many great international and Hollywood films, including the biggest museum for James Cameron’s blockbuster “Titanic,” Northern Ireland is most proud of being one of the primary locations of GoT, said Patrick.

In fact, many of his friends and family have been cast in GoT at some point, and even if they were just extras, “They feel like superstars!” Patrick exclaimed.

Since “Thrones,” it has been common among them “Thronies,” he said, to hear from friends and family who had been extras to hear stories like “Did you see me? I was one of the (hundreds of Wildlings) in the cliff running behind Jon Snow!” or “I was that Night Walker (among hundreds) chasing Bran Stark!”

In Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, the only official “Game of Thrones” studio tour in the world, thousands of the show’s original costumes, props and sets are on display, alongside interactive areas where secrets behind the show’s special effects, prosthetics and soundtracks behind the Seven Kingdoms are revealed.

Did you know that since it’s impossible to have snow all-year-round for shooting Winterfell scenes, the series’ art department had to improvise snow with tons of industrial materials, including shredded paper and soap?

Alongside surprising trivia, it is also possible to actually bump into a cast member while visiting the site! According to Linen Mill Studios staff, among those who have been spotted in the area was the Iron Throne winner himself, King Bran Stark (played by British actor Isaac Hempstead Wright).

The Houses

Targaryen

GoT Season 7 Episode 2 scene when Daenerys (left) met Lady Olenna Tyrell (far right, seated)

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Daenerys’ costumes as Khaleesi

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Dragon skulls sculpted for the series

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Dragon props used in the flying scenes with actors

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From left: Dragon eggs given as wedding present to Daenerys Targaryen at her wedding with Khal Drogo; a baby dragon hatched from the egg

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Ornately carved doors with House Targaryen (left) and House Stark symbols. These were made from repurposed wood from trees cut in the series or burned for dragon scenes. These doors have been scattered all over Northern Ireland for ‘Thronies’ to find.

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Stark

House Stark original costumes (from left): Bran, Arya, Jon Snow and Sansa

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Bran Stark original dummy used in the series

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Original costumes used in the show, as seen in this Brienne of Tarth knighting scene

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The Crypts, including those that appeared in a dream sequence featuring Jon and Sansa (top)

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A Stark statue alongside a Targaryen banner and other props used in the series

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The Dark Hedges, best known as King’s Road in ‘Game of Thrones,’ is an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road, between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim. In the series, in Season 2: Episode 1, this is where Arya escaped from King’s Landing disguised as a boy, following the death of her father, Ned Stark. She escaped with Hot Pie, Yoren, Gendry and others who later joined the Night’s Watch.

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Braavos Canal as seen in a scene featuring Arya Stark

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Plaque detailing the scene shot to represent the Braavos Canal

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Baratheon

Costumes and set for Stannis Bratheon and company

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Cushendun Caves where Melisandre gave birth to a shadow in the shape of Stannis, which killed Renly Baratheon.

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Lannister

Map room of Westeros (left); a recreation of Jamie and Cersei’s map room scene

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Tommen’s room and costume

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Costumes of Jamie, Tyrion and Cersei

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Cersei’s necklace and gown

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Original King’s Landing hallways

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Lannisters’ King’s Landing chamber

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House Lannister costumes, props and banners

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From left: Costumes for Little Finger, Small Council and King Joffrey

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Cersei and Jamie dummies used in the series’ finale

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Tyrell, Martell

House Tyrell costumes and props

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Costumes of Ellaria Sand of House Martell, Queen Cersei of House Lannister, and Queen Consort Margaery Tyrell 

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Greyjoy

Castle ruins where House Greyjoy’s castle and Iron Islands are built upon using special effects

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Other characters

Costumes for The Mountain (left) and a Wildling giant, actually worn by two tall people

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White Walker costumes

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Original weapons and artillery used in the series such as spears and shields (left) and giant arrow used by the Lannisters to kill a dragon 

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Orginal weapons used by (from left) Jon Snow, Tyrion when he killed his father Tywin, and Ned Stark featured in original GoT posters

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Set design models

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Prosthetics

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The Night’s Watch set and costumes

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Khal Drogo’s belt (top) and Sansa Stark’s necklace

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Tyrion Lannister’s Hand of the King necklace (left) and Sansa Stark’s necklace

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Olenna Tyrell’s belt (left) and Daenerys’ necklace

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From left: Hand of the King Pin; Sons of Harpy mask

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From left: Sansa Stark’s gloves; Jamie Lannister’s hand

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Books about the history of the Seven Kingdoms used in the series

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