“Being spontaneous I didn’t pass the chance to see the Game of Thrones film locations. It turns out the best epic random road trip adventure I have ever done so far”!
After spending a great week in Killarney, I’m ready for more adventure that Ireland has to offer! I guess its time for a road trip. Actually, my initial plan after Killarney is to catch a train via Dublin then heading to Belfast.
As I am a big fan of Game of Thrones, the famous television series was filmed Up North. So while I’m in the country, it makes sense to squeeze a visit at the film locations. An added bonus I bagged a cheap flights from Belfast back to England.
But then changed instead of catching the train, I was invited for a road trip. A Canadian couple ( Marilou & Eric ) I met in Killarney was heading to Dublin, and being spontaneous I didn’t pass the chance. It turns out the best epic road trip adventure I have ever done so far!
The road trip started in Cork, when the Canadian couple’s friends named Pearl booked an amazing Bed and Breakfast. We arrived late in the evening as we drove towards a private driveway, the surrounding was already dark so we didn’t see much, but it felt like we are arriving in a private ranch.
There are few cars parked when we arrived, the silhouette of the building towering us. It looks like a manor house! As we entered on the foyer and the noticeable grand staircase on the far right, those life size antique portraits hanging on the walls gives away an elegant look at the place.
As we entered on our rooms, the four poster bed as if it’s calling my name to jump in, with the bottle of wine on the side table. What a great surprise and an amazing start for a road trip!
My alarm woke me up the following day, getting up to a flaunting breath taking scenery of the hills by the distant. What a relaxing atmosphere a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
As I wandered down the lounge, the place was oozing with vintage interior designs and stunning architectural features. I found myself lost in the labyrinth of interconnected rooms on my way to the breakfast room. Sumptuous breakfast was waiting for us, and the smell of the freshly brewed coffee has woken me up instantly.
The sun was trying to play hide and seek, while the thick clouds hovering in the skies. Oh well, it’s good we are, just driving towards Dublin. With great company and good soundtracks and a little bit of singing along, the three hours drive suddenly slows down as we reached our exit junction to Dublin City centre.
A visit to Dublin is obviously not complete without experiencing the nightlife scene. A customary visit to the Temple bar is definitely not to be missed! After a bottle of champagne and a couple of pints of Guinness, we dance the night away with Irish music the night was ended up with a fun horse drawn carriage ride around the city.
The following day we headed North Bound following the Game of Thrones film locations! First stop was the Carrick-A-Rede. After purchasing our ticket, we followed the trail to the bridge.
It’s probably 10 minutes walk but it did take us longer as we took so much photos along the way.
Who wouldn’t be mesmerise with the stunning views over looking the bay, every corner is a picture perfect!
History of the Bridge: “The building of the bridge was started over 350 years ago, was built by the local salmon fisherman to link the tiny island of Carrickarede to the main island. Now a days it is managed by National trust and it’s been the main tourist attraction in the area, during the clear day you can enjoy the views of Rathlin Island and Scotland”.
Next stop was the Giant Causeway. Hearing the fascinating myths and legends behind those rock formations, while walking along these basalt rocks was amazing. With the stunning seascape views in contrast to the added dramatic effect of the moody weather, but that didn’t stop our pictorial session. Imagine I was travelling with a Canadian fashion blogger, so hundreds of photos was taken that’s for sure!
Giant Causeway Legend: “According to the myths , there was an Irish giant warrior named Finn MacCool who created his own trail to Scotland with the large block of rock to face his Scottish giant enemy” .
Our last destination was the Dark Hedges was featured as the Kings Way, and since then this place has been popular to Game of Thrones fanatics. Walking along the creepy avenue of intertwined Beech Trees leading towards a private estate. It is so hard to capture the best angle of this place, as there are so many tourist around and cars are driving past.
History of the Dark Hedges: “The private estate owner of the Gracehill House, they initially planted the rows of beech trees , intended to impress their visitor to their driveway towards the mansion house. Now a day, it is considered the most photographed places in the area, it is the major attractions for the Game of Thrones fans”.
Special thanks to Marilou and the gang Eric, Pearl and Janry of Twenty York for this amazing and unforgettable road trip.
“The journey seems far more enjoyable than the destination when shared with amazing strangers, as the laughter echoing through the vastness of astonishing sceneries”.
Insider’s Tip:
- If ever you’re travelling solo don’t be afraid to organise a road trip with total strangers. It turns out random road trips are fun and amazing adventure.
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If you are planning a visit to the Game of Thrones film locations, I highly suggest to hire a car you have your freedom to visit as many locations as you want without thinking of public transport times.
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But If you don’t want the hassle in organising your road trip, you can join the organise trip from Cork, Dublin or Belfast. I don’t have links for this, but you can easily search it online.
Great views and scenic shots here. 🙂
Thank you! yes the Roadtrip offers stunning views!
cool! next year goal
Have fun and safe travels!
I love this! I am obsessed with Ireland AND Game of Thrones! Can’t wait to show my friends 🙂
Im a big fan of GoT and my travel itinerary is around the film locations even abroad. Definitely you will love Northern Ireland for this matter, or even for those who are not fan this place is amazing for roadtrips.
What gorgeous views! And brave for taking a road trip with total strangers! Sounds like you had a great trip.
Yes fantastic sceneries. Hahaha Brave? Im just spontaneous and i love meeting people on the road they makes the journey worthwhile most of the times.
i love the photos!! 🙂 so far i’ve only been to one GOT location (in sevilla) and the places you’ve been to look amazing! cork has been on my list for a while so i’m super stoked to check it out when i get to ireland!! 😀 thanks for sharing!
Never been to Seville film locations yet but its on my list. Have fun when you visit Ireland.
Hehehe, what a lovely journey! So good that you’ve stumbled upon such nice couple to share the road trip with. It’s way better than going by train.
The Dark Hedges looks stunning, Dublin sure sounds like so much fun, but to tell you the truth I was blown away by that B&B at the beginning! So charming, loved that adorable room. I’d probably want to stay there a bit longer. 🙂
Yes it was lovely to share my journey with amazing people and that b&b was absolutely stunning place to stay, I wish it was linger too!
Love N Ireland, next time you’re here you need to see the Glen’s and Belfast or even the GOT doors tour.
Yes will definitely come back to see more of Northern Ireland, great place to explore!
It sounds like GOT has done wonders for the European tourism industry- I know people from all over the world are flocking to spots in Ireland and Croatia like you did to check out the famous spots from the show!
Yes I’m one of them visiting the GoT location at the moment I’m in Malta.
Amazing views! Sometimes it pays to be spontaneous. I really like the rock formations and have been trying to see some here in America. The bed and breakfast looks like a fancy place to rest!
It is a fascinating rock formations from volcanic activities, and it’s stunning place to explore too
Ok, first is your first name Anneklien or is Klien your last name, just like mine? That would be a funny co-incidence. I am so happy to hear you had such a fun roadtrip with strangers. Loved the place you stayed at, it looks so cozy. I bet it was hard to leave. Those places look amazing. Ireland is high up on the list, there are just too many things still left to see.
Nope I’m not Klien just a pen name for my blog. And yes that roadtrip with strangers was real fun.
We plan to go to Ireland in 2019 so loved reading this. Not GOT show fans, but still cool to hear where to visit. Temple bar will be a must. The rows of beech trees look like a spectacular spot to visit too. Glad you had fun there!
Even if your not GoT fan Northern Ireland still great place to explore especially if your an outdoorsy person.
I loved those locations so much too. I waited a full half an hour just to capture a shot of the Dark Hedges without cars and busses in my shot. Did you get a chance to see Ballintoy Harbor and Larrybane quarry near the rope bridge? They’re two more prominent locations from GoT. But why do we have to wait until 2019 for the last couple episodes??!!!
Yes it was ridiculous busy to wait for the perfect frame by the dark hedges. We only passed by ballintoy maybe next visit.
I’d totally be up for a visit to this part of Ireland, and not just because I’m a GOT fan. What a gorgeous landscape filled with legends and Irish myths. Those Dark Hedges are certainly photo-worthy!
You will enjoy the place so much to see and full of history, every angle is picturesque!
So glad I found this post! I’ve been toying with the idea of visiting Ireland soon, but wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do and see. I am a big Game of Thrones fan though, so I’ll definitely have to work some of these into my itinerary!
There’s so much to do around Ireland but if you’re GoT fan follow the film locations for sure you will love it!
These locations are really cool! I’ve never seen an episode of game of thrones (I think I may be one of the only people on the planet lol) but I’d still love to visit these spots in Ireland! Your stop in Dublin sounds fun too
You can’t visit Ireland without a visit in Dublin 😊, if your not a Got fan you will still love Ireland as is certainly beautiful.
Ireland is so beautiful and your pics looks so beautiful. I definitely want to visit Ireland soon. thanks for sharing.
Yes you better put Ireland on your travel list as it’s beautiful and so much places to explore.
I love GOT too and those pictures of yours are just mindblowing. I love the Giant Causeway, especially the angles you have shot. And the Dark hedges – wow. Even better than the screen. Cheers to this.
I have been wanting to visit this area for a while now since I saw in the GoT so much prettier in real than in Tv
I never watched Game Of Thrones but I have to admit it look like you had an epic adventure!! Those trees on the side of the road look amazing!
Those trees are the reason i visited this area in Ireland.
I love your spontaneity…not everyone would be able to change plans so quickly, and the reward for that is right here for all of us to enjoy! I haven’t seen Game of Thrones, but your road trip is magical nevertheless…the pictures are truly stunning, especially the one from ‘Dark hedges’ 🙂
Im always spontaneous and it’s good sometimes the best adventures are the one that’s not planned at all
I love the spontaneity of this trip! Changing plans on a whim can lead to the most epic adventures, and this one sounded awesome. I loved the B&B, and I’ll definitely be visiting the Giant Causeway on my next trip there!
It was an epic adventure indeed and the highlights was being pampered at the very cozy b&b!
I have to admit that I have never watched GOT before! This post makes me want to start watching it. Irelands beauty amazes me, such a beautiful country. The Dark Hedges looks like something out of a fairy tale.
Ireland has amazing views it’s great place fir roadtrip adventure!