With the Game of Thrones Season 5 finale looming, I headed to Belfast, Northern Ireland on a rainy morning to take a day-long Game of Thrones tour. I had only heard of these tours recently, and there are several out of Dublin or Belfast. The one I chose was highly rated, and visits some of the Winterfell locations at public parks and landmarks.

I arrived at the coach stop to find 27 people in the 22-45 age range, the show’s target audience, though not everyone had seen the show (including my friends who came with me), and we set off on time.

Damian, our guide, is also an extra in the show and is an expert in swordplay. He began the tour by asking and answering questions about the program and its characters as we viewed clips from the show and behind the scenes/FX profiles on a small TV screen. As an avid reader of the books, he offered his own theories about the future of the story, which can be debated by the more obsessive fans who take the tour.

Our bus hopped a ferry across Strangford Lough to locations such as Audley’s Castle, Castle Ward, Inch Abbey, Dundrum Castle, and the stunning Tollymore Forest Park. We were treated to a sword fight demonstration, and even a talk from a competing tour company who had a little time between his own tours to show us the archery range used in a Winterfell scene (those who take that tour can take an archery lesson). Damian would hold up screen shots to show how the locations were used in the show, which were also necessary to identify them since so much FX is used.

There are several competing tour companies who take groups to various locations around Northern Ireland, as well as in Iceland, Croatia, Spain, and Malta where the show films. Damian said the tour companies all get along well and share ideas, because they’re all great fans—and most of the guides have been extras in the show.

The tours are given a lot of color by the guides’ behind-the-scenes experiences, but there are certain rules they have to follow. This tour company has a relationship with HBO, according to our guide, and is in constant contact with their legal department regarding what they can or can’t reveal from behind the scenes. Not all tour companies are equal, however, as a story was relayed about one rogue guide who brought his tour bus inside the open gates of a studio where the show was being filmed. The guide and the driver were arrested for trespassing, the bus impounded, and the guests all had to get taxis back to the city.

After lunch, we met two of the Northern Inuit dogs used in the show as direwolves, which are probably the best fed dogs in Northern Ireland; according to their owner, they eat 1.5 chickens a day, plus some choice beef. We ended our tour by putting on fur-collared cloaks used in the show, examining some weapons, and watching a semi-comedic sword fighting demo by Damian and his swordplay mentor, Mark.

Game of Thrones has done more than entertain—in the countries that it films, it has provided a boost to local economies, and arrived during the recession which put many back to work. Local crews and extras are used, as well as local businesses providing food, lodging, and supplies to the production.

Overall, it was an enjoyable tour that offered a lot of variety, great scenery, and information about the show (though it is more enjoyable if you're already a fan of the series). We were told the tour company is trying to channel more of HBO’s attention to the tours, and allow visits to the studio and sets in the future.

The Good

The walking was just enough for a variety of fitness levels

Beautiful scenery

Knowledgable, experienced guide

Reasonable price for a full day tour

The Bad

Lunch not included in price

Not handicap accessible or for anyone with mobility issues (the guide walks fast)

Limited access to show sets, props, and costumes which would provide a fuller experience

Listing image by Jennifer Hahn