Game of Thrones Update

Over the past few months we’ve been avidly following the filming of Game of Thrones, HBO’s upcoming television series - click here for my earlier post and set photos. I’ll be glued to this series anyway when it premieres next April as I love the whole fantasy/medieval thing, but the fact it’s been filmed pretty much on our doorstep makes it even more enticing.

HBO recently released a new, behind the scenes video (see below) and the amount of detail in the sets and costumes is amazing. The snowy woodland location is Tollymore Forest Park in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains (one of my favourite weekend walking haunts), and I should probably mention that the sunny scenes were filmed in Malta… if it looks wet, snowy or bleak then needless to say it’s Northern Ireland!

Snooping Around

Filming is currently underway at a number of locations in Northern Ireland for Game of Thrones, HBO’s upcoming television adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s medieval fantasy A Song of Ice and Fire. We’ve been out and about the past two weekends trying to catch a glimpse of the sets in Tollymore Forest Park and Castle Ward estate. Having read all of GRRM’s novels, my other half is a devoted fan and taking great pleasure in speculating on what’s being filmed where – I’m tagging merrily along, ever hopeful of running into Aidan Gillen or Sean Bean. You can catch up on all the latest filming news and rumours aplenty at the Winter Is Coming blog, and also see some photos we’ve contributed (right click here and here to view).

Below are a few of my pics from Castle Ward (taken Sunday 3rd Oct).

This archway could have been standing for centuries. It’s incredibly realistic, blending perfectly with the existing stone walls…



The next two images show part of the castle courtyard set-up for Winterfell – in the first shot, you can just about see a wolf statue in the doorway. They were taken through gaps in a timber-panelled gate, so unfortunately not the best quality…





A tantalising glimpse of Winterfell…



Another section of the set, again tying in well with the original stone towers and outbuildings…



I really hope someone gives the Castle Ward donkeys a walk-on part – don’t they look desperate for international stardom?



A little muddy, but blissfully happy on a warm October morning!

Lackan Bog

I’ve finally sorted through the photos I took last month at Lackan Bog. It’s an incredibly beautiful wetland area – formerly a raised bog and nowadays the largest single block of lowland peat remaining in County Down – and also one of Ireland’s most important dragonfly sites. The path runs along a ‘bog rampart’, an old road through the bog which would have provided easy access for cutting the turf. From this raised causeway are wonderful views across the pools and wooded areas of birch and willow.

There are literally thousands of birch trees everywhere you look, so I was in my element! I hope to return again very soon, as it would be an amazing place to photograph throughout the seasons.




Continuing the birch theme, I thought I’d include this photo of a gorgeous birch grove in Tollymore Forest Park - more on Tollymore another time!

(Photos: Pam)