Depart Dublin at 06:45am from Dublin city gallery, The Hugh Lane, Parnell square
THE DARK HEDGES
No tour of Northern Ireland would be complete without seeing the avenue of trees called the Dark Hedges, known to HBO Game of Thrones fans as the Kings Road, featured in the scene where Ayra Stark, Gendry and Hot Pie escaped on their way being transported to Castle Black. The visual splendor of the Dark Hedges attracts thousands of amateur photographers every year. If you're lucky, you might see the grey lady haunting the hedges!
DUNLUCE CASTLE
Here you will have the opportunity to take a few pictures of the castle ruins, the inspiration for Harrenhal in the Game of Thrones. Perched on a cliff, the castle is a photographer's dream and well worth the stop.
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
As the 8th wonder of the world, the Giant's Causeway should be on everyone's bucket list. Nowhere else in the world will you be able to find this natural phenomena. It's no wonder it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are two explanations to how the Giant's Causeway came to be, the first being that during the last ice age, about 60 million years ago, as lava from a volcanic eruption began to cool down, it formed the 40,000 interlocking hexagonal stone columns that enthrall visitors today.
If you believe that the Giant's Causeway was formed by the legendary giant Finn McCool, then you know that, being as giants can't swim, Finn McCool had no other choice but to build the causeway over to Scotland to fight with his rival Benandonner. Unfortunately, after building the causeway as a bridge, he realized Benandonner was a lot bigger than he had imagined, leaving Finn with no other choice but to run back to Ireland. Luckily his wife Oonagh came up with a plan that scared Benandonner enough to hightail back to Scotland, effectively breaking the causeway between Ireland and Scotland. If you want to hear our unique version of the story, you will have to come on our tour!
BALLINTOY HARBOUR
This is truly one of our favorite stops, not to mention one of the most beautiful harbors in Ireland. The harbor is so beautiful, in fact, that the Game of Thrones crew did almost nothing to change it into Pyke Harbour. You will recognize it even without a guide.
The main scene we will show you here will be Theon Greyjoy's return from Winterfell. It will truly feel like you are standing in the scene at this filming location. As an added extra, we will also show you where Theon was baptized after his father decided he was no longer an Ironborn.
On the way down to the harbor, our guide will also stop and show you the rock where the idols were burned. And again not to do spoilers, our guide will point out that this is where the Greyjoy's burial took place in Season 6. if you see the location you will definitely recognize it.
We'll make a special side trip Larrybane Quarry, a chalk quarry containing chert nodules, fossils and calcite crystals. This is also where Catelyn Stark met one of the many new kings.
BELFAST
As the city center itself is very small and compact, 45 minutes is more than enough time to explore Belfast. See the sights like Titanic Memorial Gardens next to city hall, the shopping streets, Belfast entries and some of the modern art in the city. This is just a nice little break to stretch your legs, maybe get breakfast, see a few things, and prepare for the rest of the trip up to the north coast. Note that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and uses Pound Sterling.
Return to Dublin for around 8 to 8:30 at the same place as the pick up.
Consejos
We normally return to the original meeting point in Dublin between 7:30pm and 8:30pm.
Visitar atracciones turísticas
Giant's Causeway
Dunluce Castle
The Dark Hedges