Game of Thrones Location Tour Review | Life

Hey everyone! (This is a wordy post with lots of pictures FYI)



Last week I joined my sister and her college class on a trip to Northern Ireland for the Game of Thrones Location Tour. I have to admit I have only recently become a Game of Thrones fan. I found four seasons on Sky through their box sets (Game of Thrones is exclusively shown in Uk and Ireland through Sky), decided to take a chance and watch a few episodes. Two weeks later I was four seasons down and hooked! When Gemma told me that she was going on tour I jumped at the chance! Before I carry on just to let you know - Even though we were on a location tour it wasn't focused on Game of Thrones so you may enjoy looking at the scenic pictures! Almost all Game of Thrones filming is done across the Antrim coast and all interior scenes are shot in the purpose built Titanic Studios in Belfast. Further filming locations include Croatia, Malta, Morroco, Spain, Iceland and United States.




 We travelled from Dublin to Belfast at 7 am. The sun was splitting the stones as they say! We met our tour guide and fellow passengers on Glengall Street in Belfast City Centre at about 10 am, We travelled with Mc Combs Travel. The coach was new and was spotlessly clean. I was super happy about that as I am a clean freak and I wouldn't have been able to relax otherwise. The tour guide was also the driver and his name was Derek. Gas man so he was. As he drove he gave us the down low about the day ahead. I hadn't checked this before we left so nearly died when he told us we wouldn't be back to Belfast until around 7 pm. I was also pleasantly surprised when he told us about a stop at Giants Causeway, mainly because Gemma has always wanted to go and  I swore after the last time I wouldn't drive all that way again! I hate driving long distance; that was Stephen's job! 


First stop was at a Norman Castle in Carrickfergus. There is something about the beauty of Norman architecture that really gets me every time! King William of Orange spent time here before the Battle of the Boyne in the 1690. There is a life size figure of him over looking the castle wall. It is worth a look if you ever find yourself in the area. 

After a quick photo opportunity we moved on then towards the Glens of Antrim. One of the passengers who is GOT mad went on line before the trip and told us there is a Quarry on the way to the Glens that housed Castle Black! The driver wasn't able to stop due to strict rules with site owners but we got a sneaky picture in while he drove past. I am such a geek I am getting excited thinking of it again!!! I would have loved to see the set. I felt slightly deflated as we drove on! Imagine my nose stuck to the window like a kid!!! 

Next stop made up for the disappointment as we stopped in Cushendun to visit the caves. On the way we took in some of the most breathtaking scenery you could imagine. It was pretty clear day so we could see the outline of Scotland! It is 12 miles away from Antrim coast. There's a bit of trivia for you! Anyway, Cushendun caves is the spot where Milessandra gave birth to the dark shadow in Season 2. It was amazing to instantly recognise the scene setting and imagine the actors at work!


We moved on to Ballintoy Harbour for another photo opportunity. It is known as Pike Harbour in the show and was used during the scene where Theon Greyjoy returns to Pike in Season 2. It was also used by Arya at the end of Season 4 to get the ship to Bravos. 
The guide Derek pointed out things of interest and showed us clips of episodes that featured the site. He also spent some time talking about the economic effect Game of Thrones has had on NI economy and also the view people may have due to the troubles. It was nice to hear that as it gave our fellow passengers an idea of the real Northern Ireland and not the painted picture in the media. 

After Ballintoy we stopped for 2 hours at the Giants Causeway. Derek used the old Irish myth of Finn McCool to explain the reason for the stones as a joke after he spoke about the Geological reason. I forgot how much I loved the story of Finn and his Scottish rival Benandonner! We lunched at the Cause way Hotel. McCombs Travel provided us with Game of Thrones themed menus before arrival to pick meals at £10 each. I declined offer but when we reached hotel and seen the hotels menu was around £2 cheaper for similar meals. I would expect to see that sort of mark up but in my opinion, it is fairly cheeky all the same.
The causeway itself was packed with tourists from around the world. The Giants Causeway is definitely worth a trip. It is fascinating to see the rock formation but it is one of those places that you would go to once and that would be your lot.!





We left the causeway at about 4 pm and travelled to Larrybane. This is where Renly Baratheon had set up his camp and where he swore allegance to Catelyn Stark in Season 2. 

The last site of the day was at The Dark Hedges. I had never even heard of this place before the trip but it is famous world wide apparently. The beech trees are famous due to their unusual shape and  line an avenue that leads to an ancient stately home.It almost feels like something from a Brothers Grimm fairytale. It is also the road used in a scene where Arya escaped Kings Landing in Season 2. 

The tour ended and we travelled back to Belfast in peaceful silence. As promised by Derek we got back to Glengall Street before 7 pm and our onward journey to Dublin had us home by 9:30.

The highlights of the trip was definitely to see the amazing natural sites along the Antrim Coast. The tour guide Derek was a fantastic host and he made the day go a lot faster than imagined. The actual location sites blew me away. There was no denying the sites were instantly recognisable and I could imagine watching wildlings running through fields or a battle taking place. It made me respect and feel proud to be from a country that holds such beauty!

The low points of the trip was that we didn't see as much of the Game of Thrones sites as we would have liked. The tour was not all about Game of Thrones, just references to the show here and there when we reached sites. I understand it was made like this to suit all levels of show watchers. It did kind of feel like a dressed up Giants Causeway tour though. Also at the causeway seeing the price of the food made me feel a little robbed.

I was allowed a discount to go on the tour for group rates so I paid €30 but the standard charge for this tour is £35 per person and additional £10 for lunch optional so it was definitely value for money. Especially considering the distance travelled and the excellent service from Derek. That man knows his stuff. You could ask him any question and he would have an answer for you. I would recommend him as a tour guide any time.
I hope you found this review helpful. Would you ever consider going on a day trip like this?

Enjoy the pictures 
Louise xxxx

References/ Links: 

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It's been 5 months | Life

Hey everyone


If you have been following my fancy new Facebook page (*cough* click me) You will know that I have been going through the grieving process over the last few months so I have been neglecting the blog. I didn't want to have to come on here and bitch about how sorry I was and make empty promises about posting again soon when clearly that was not going to happen. I took my time, tried not to make myself anxious about not posting here and just focused on getting through the last few months.

Today I want to talk a little about how I have been getting on. I have learned a lot about myself and the people closest to me in regards to coping mechanisms and all that jazz.

So Stephen passed away Five months ago on May 14th, 2015. This month was the first time that I hadn't visited his grave at the exact time of his passing. To be honest I had so much going on I completely forgot. I don't see that as a bad thing and I certainly didn't lose any sleep over it. This time last month though I would have let that eat me inside for days,

I have been going to counselling every couple of weeks in the hospice which has helped me immensely. I used to brush off the idea of counselling. I am a talker (not surprised are ya?) but I tell you what I want you to hear. I felt that speaking to a counsellor would leave me open to judgement and I don't like feeling vulnerable.
I started a reflective journal to spend time writing what ever came to my mind as if I was talking to Stephen. Within a few days I was able to see when I was upset, angry, anxious or scared and what was causing these feelings.
It helped especially when I would go back to counselling and discuss the entries. A couple of events that I couldn't face dealing with before his death  made me feel physically sick when I thought of them. To help over come these feelings I would write down what happened, read back over it and with my counsellors' help speak about it.

Over the last few weeks I have come leaps and bounds with the anxiety issues. Only in the last few days has it stopped becoming a chore to open my laptop, I would have an anxiety attack at the thoughts of opening this website! I have a pain in my chest and neck right now even typing!
If I am leaving the house to go somewhere other than my mothers or Aldi I can't have anything else planned in the day or I start panicking. It is scary when it happens as I am usually so strong but I can't help it. I can't talk about Stephen without crying or if I get a trigger such as a smell or a song I am a zombie for the rest of the day.

To help myself cope better I do some things that are beneficial to me.
I speak to Stephen all the time. I have pictures of him everywhere! You would think I liked him or something haha Only joking. I go to his grave a good bit too. I have that spotless and decorated with lots of flowers and candles... He can't give out to me about how girly it looks now!

I like to plan my day in advance so I know what I need to do. I can manage my time, stay in control and all is well in the world again! :)

I clean A LOT! The house, the car, the garden! Everything is scrubbed so I can feel safe and comfortable.

I have to go to the gym at least five times a week. I missed three days this week due to commitments and I am anxious right now about missing a work out! I wish I was joking! I am losing weight thanks be to Jesus so that will help with all my health issues though.

Gemma (my rock, my life ha) is not allowed leave my side!. I speak to my sister in Scotland at least once a day. Thank God for Skype and Whats App calls. Amanda gets hockied out of it with calls but I am only able for certain people or the anxiety kicks in at the thought of entertaining anyone.

I am walking in the VHI Womens mini marathon with Gemma. My job are helping me raise funds in house to benefit St Francis Hospice and I have a personal fundraising page (Please donate if you even have a Euro I would be greatful!)

 I spent the last year looking after someone else and It was so much easier to bottle up what was inside and talk about the easy stuff, It is hard to open up fully but I want to. I know that grief is a process. I understand that it comes in waves. I know that when I am feeling like I will never get through this that I can remind myself that 'This too shall pass'.
I am trying to not sweat the small stuff and I have turned to meditation and Yoga to relax.

I could go on all night about this so if you lasted to the end of that essay fair play to you. I want to document my feelings as god knows what other people are going through. I know I'm not alone in this. Thank you xxx

Here's some pictures to cheer us both up after all that! I will pop up a review of the Game of Thrones Tour we went on but for now here is some funny shots of the day.

Louise xxxx
Being sound in front of a castle in Carrick Fergus

We heard a Quarry outside Larne held the set of Castle Black. The internet never liessssss

Posing outside the cave where Melisandra gave birth to the shadow! She wasn't there....

Me and Gemz on HER class tour that I invited myself along to haha

The Dark Hedges with Gemz and our mate Joffrey. Yeah right I hate that kid hence the finger ha