In its more recent history, it has been used as a filming location for movies and even served as the House of Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. Here’s a cracking bit of footage that shows the castle as you’ve never seen it before! Have you ever visited Dunluce Castle? You can thank digital reconstruction for that. For those of you that fancy going inside, here’s everything you need to know about opening times and costs: Be sure to check out our guide to visiting the best castles in Ireland if you’re looking to dive into more castles on your trip to Ireland. © Copyright 2021 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. The Dark Hedges are arguably the Game of Thrones filming location in Ireland that receives the most attention online. In Game of Thrones, Dunluce Castle serves as the loose setting for Pyke Castle in the Iron Islands. The sharp drops on all sides may have been part of what drew early occupants to this location. It is estimated that tens of thousands of fans of the popular HBO series visit Dunluce Castle every year while on tours around the show’s many key film locations in Northern Ireland. Visit locations where some of the most iconic blood-curdling Game of Thrones scenes were filmed! Many different locations across Ireland were used during the filming of Game of Thrones. © Copyright 2021 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. In the recently concluded HBO series, the strangely beautiful ruins of Dunluce Castle were used for many of the scenes for the House of Greyjoy, ruler of the Iron Islands. It is about 3 miles from the Giant's Causeway and Bushmill's. Since then, Dunluce Castle has deteriorated into the gorgeous crumbly ruin that it is today. Some of those pivotal season two scenes were filmed at Dunluce Castle in County Antrim, about two hours north of Dublin. In this Game of Thrones Filming Locations in Northern Ireland Guide, we will go over everything you need to know about Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland.Where was the series filmed, which episodes, which scenes, Game of Thrones activities and more. You'll find everything from. It served as the seat of the Earl of Antrim until the impoverishment of the MacDonnells in 1690, following the Battle of the Boyne. Visitors need to cross a bridge to get to the castle ruins from the mainland. See Dunluce Castle, the House of Greyjoy, built on the top of sheer-sided cliffs 100 feet above the ocean. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Rocks and ruin at Dunluce Castle STONES: Visit Dunluce Castle. In the atmospheric scenes at the Whispers, I was reminded specifically of the scene in Prince Caspian, where the Pevensey children fall into Narnia again and find themselves in a ruined castle, and only after some time realise it is the castle Cair Paravel where they reigned as Kings and Queens hundreds of years ago, Narnian time. Dunluce Castle is a must-see place when exploring Northern Ireland. About The iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. If you follow our 2-day road trip that takes in the best things to do on the Causeway Coastal Route, you’ll end up here on day 1. Dunluce Castle was used in Game of Thrones to film House Greyjoy’s Castle at Pyke. It is still worth seeing, whether or not you are a Game of Thrones fan. Game of Thrones fans will recognise Dunluce Castle as the location of The House of Greyjoy in the Iron Islands, otherwise known as the home of Theon and Yara Greyjoy. Dunluce Castle's history can be traced back to the 13th century (Image: Shaun Costello) 2 of 4 Pyke stronghold is crumbling into the sea in Game of Thrones … Dunluce Castle – Game of Thrones. You have entered an incorrect email address! Dunluce Castle Game of Thrones Link Many different locations across Ireland were used during the filming of Game of Thrones. Howaya! "We’ve digitally reconstructed [the castles] to show the true splendor enjoyed and defended by yesteryear’s barons, queens, and kings," Onward writes on their website. The dramatic and violent history of Dunluce is matched by tales of a banshee and the castle kitchens falling into the sea one stormy night in 1639 (more on this below). © Copyright © 2020 The Irish Road Trip | All Rights Reserved, the best things to do on the Causeway Coastal Route, 17 Swanky Airbnbs With Hot Tubs In Ireland That You Can Rent In 2020, 49 Best Things To Do In Donegal In 2021 (Hidden Gems And Tourist Favourites), Group Accommodation Ireland: 21 GORGEOUS Gaffs You Can Rent With Mates In 2020, 42 Brilliant Things To Do In Kerry This Summer (Mountains, Beaches, Pubs + More), 20 Swanky Castles Hotels In Ireland Where You Can Spend A Night, 21 Underrated Towns In Ireland Perfect For A Mighty Weekend Away In 2021, Northern Lights in Ireland 2021: Your Guide to Seeing the sky above Ireland Sing, The castle was first built by the MacQuillan family around 1500, The earliest written record of the castle was in 1513, The Dunluce Castle Game of Thrones link is due to it acting as the stronghold of Pyke on the Iron Islands in the TV series, The castle randomly appeared on the artwork of Led Zeppelin’s 1973 album ‘Houses Of The Holy’, Dunluce Castle Opening hours: Daily: 10.00 – 16.00 (last entry strictly 15.30), When it’s closed: The Castle will be Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, Admission prices: Adult – £5.50, Child (age 4 – 16) – £3.50, Senior citizen £3.50, Student and Benefit Claimants (ID required) – £3.50, Child under 4 – Free, Family (up to 5 members, including up to 3 adults) – £15.00, Group rate(10 plus, must be pre-booked) – £4 per person. First built on the dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written record of the castle was in 1513. Below is a stunning video of the castle and the coast, captured by drone. It’s said that Maeve’s body was never recovered. Game of Thrones Locations and Causeway Tours – This day tour leaves from Dublin stops at the Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle (The inspiration for Harrenhal), Ballintoy Harbour, Cushendun caves where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow killer and includes a stop at the Giant’s Causeway. The famous Dunluce Castle in Antrim, Northern Ireland, represents House of Greyjoy, ruler of the Iron Islands in the hit TV show. It is for these reasons that the Dunluce Castle was the ideal setting for a dark fantasy series such as Game of Thrones. represents House of Greyjoy, ruler of the Iron Islands in the hit TV show. Very cool to see. On one dark and stormy night, Reginald O’Cahan visited the castle to rescue Maeve. There are several paintings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries that show that the end of the castle was still intact at that point. In real life, however, Dunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval castle that, much like … Finally, see the Dark Hedges, a beautiful avenue of beech … In real life, it is a  now-ruined medieval castle located on the edge of a basalt rock outcropping and is only accessible via a bridge connecting it to the mainland. Expect to have lots of people and cars on the road. Was it worth the visit? In order to showcase what the great and dramatic abandoned castle, that dates back to 1500,  once looked like in all its glory, Irish mystery town from the 15th century discovered next to castle, HBO to open Northern Ireland "Game of Thrones" sets as tourist attractions. The stunning scenery within the Causeway Coast and Glens was used to represent everything from Winterfell to the King’s Road, The Iron Islands to Stormlands. Built on a cliffs, Dunluce Castle is said to be the inspiration for Harrenhal in the Game of Thrones™. The Dunluce Castle has also been featured in the HBO hit drama series Game of Thrones, doubling as the stronghold of Pyke on the Iron Islands. Day 6: Depart . The castle is also the subject of a 1990s song named “Dunluce Castle” written by George Millar and sung by the Irish Rovers. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you're short on time, these are the best half-day Dunluce Castle tickets and tours: Giants causeway and Glens of Antrim day trip (From $557.55) Giants causeway Game of thrones (From $669.06) Giants causeway, Game of thrones (From $557.55) See all Dunluce Castle experiences on Tripadvisor Image by Greg Clarke via Flickr Downhill Strand, Northern Ireland (Burning of the Seven Gods scene) This is the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones. For a behind-the-scenes look, head to Belfast City, to the Titanic Quarter, where many of Game of Thrones®’ interior scenes and special effects were filmed over the last 10 years. Medieval ruins of an old castle. Alongside six other historic castles in mainland Britain, Dunluce Castle was given the virtual treatment. The shots on HBO show a dark and moody laneway. Visit iconic GOT locations, including the city of Braavos, the Keep of House Greyjoy, the King’s Road, and more. It is a Game of Thrones filming location. There’s nothing like a dollop of drone footage to get a unique perspective of what a place looks like from every angle imaginable. Dunluce Castle admission VIP tickets to the Guinness Storehouse; 6-day rental of a manual/stick shift car; Winspire booking & concierge service; HBO's Game of Thrones began as a scrappy upstart launched by two TV novices in 2011 and finished its run in 2019 as the most popular show in the world. Dunluce castle is medieval castle, that now is just a ruins in the Northern Ireland. Even though Dunluce Castle lies in ruins, it is still enough to inspire royal daydreams. Country Antrim is now becoming synonymous with Game of Thrones and very much following the model that New Zealand has with Lord of the Rings. Day 5: Trim. Alas, the powerful ocean flung the couples boat against the rocks at the base of the cliff, and both drowned. Let me know in the comments below! Dunluce Castle, Co. Antrim Dunluce Castle dates back to medieval times and is set into the edges of a basalt outcropping. Thus, the tale of the Dunluce Castle Banshee was born. In GOT, Dunluce Castle is home to the House of Greyjoy and plays the backdrop to the Iron Islands. The team also note that Dunluce Castle "has now become a valuable archaeological site. The castle was used to represent House of Greyjoy, the ruler of the Iron Islands in the show. A source of wanderlust for travellers the world over, the unique appearance of Dunluce Castle and the quirky history behind it has seen it receive its fair share of attention online in recent years. The first ever castle at Dunluce was constructed by the 2nd Earl of Ulster, Richard Óg de Burgh, way back in the 13th century. Trim Castle, Co. Meath, Ireland. The Giant’s Causeway (around 1.5 hours) Hailed by Visit Belfast and Tourism Ireland as one of the best destinations in Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway is a must-see tourist attraction. An excavation in 2015 uncovered a mysterious stone settlement, dating back to the 15th century, next to Dunluce Castle. Dunluce Castle (from Irish: Dún Libhse) is a now-ruined medieval castle in Northern Ireland, the seat of Clan McDonnell. 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