Tourism Ireland has launched a new online film, ‘Game of Thrones Locations and Activities in Northern Ireland’, specially created to highlight Northern Ireland and its strong connection with the hugely popular HBO drama.
Tourism Ireland’s short, fast-paced film was produced to coincide with the release of the long-awaited sixth season of Game of Thrones® – celebrating Northern Ireland as Game of Thrones® Territory and urging fans everywhere to come and “discover the real world Westeros”.
The film features various locations around Northern Ireland which provide the scenic backdrops for some of the show’s most memorable moments – including Tollymore Forest Park, the Cushendun Caves, Castle Ward, Ballintoy Harbour, The Dark Hedges, Inch Abbey, Audley’s Castle and Strangford Lough.
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “TV and film are recognised as strong influencers on travellers everywhere and the huge popularity of Game of Thrones® is a superb opportunity for us to promote Northern Ireland to a huge audience of potential visitors. Our latest film – showcasing numerous filming locations – will encourage fans to come and experience the real Westeros to see the spectacular mountain, lakes and coastline of Northern Ireland and follow in the footsteps of their favourite villains and heroes!”
The ‘Game of Thrones Locations and Activities in Northern Ireland’ film will also be promoted via Tourism Ireland’s other social media platforms – with its Facebook fans (3.4 million fans worldwide) and Twitter followers (324,000+), and on its YouTube channel.
Last week, Tourism Ireland launched its latest Game of Thrones® campaign to highlight Northern Ireland on the global stage. The campaign is reaching out to the show’s global fanbase, bringing Northern Ireland to the attention of fans everywhere in a fun and innovative way.
An exciting feature of the 2016 campaign is a series of 10 intricately carved doors, depicting moments inspired by this season. The doors, which are being unveiled each week as season six unfolds reference key scenes and events from the latest episode, incorporating some of the iconic symbols of the show.
The doors, have been carved from the trees blown down in Storm Gertrude at the Dark Hedges in Co Antrim –the backdrop for the Kingsroad, perhaps the most iconic Game of Thrones® location in Northern Ireland – and will hang in pubs and other venues near filming locations across Northern Ireland, giving visitors a brand new Game of Thrones® Territory trail to follow. The first door is now hanging in The Cuan guest inn in Strangford, whilst the second door is now on display in Fiddler’s Green bar and B&B in Portaferry, Co Down.