The hit TV series Game of Thrones is to open its film locations in Northern Ireland to the public in what is expected to be a major boost for tourism.
The show has now finished its final series after a decade of filming in Northern Ireland.
Producers HBO say they want to celebrate the show’s incredible legacy in the region by converting several filming locations into tourist attractions.
Fans will have the opportunity to visit iconic sets from the show and immerse themselves in the world of Westeros. The Game of Thrones Legacy attractions will also take fans behind the camera lens to see how the show was made.
Each site will feature not only the sets, but will also exhibit displays of costumes, props, weapons, set decorations, art files, models, and other production materials.
The visitor experience will be enhanced by state-of-the-art digital content and interactive materials which will showcase some of the digital wizardry the series is known for.
Tourism NI is thrilled and excited at today’s announcement. HBO® Licensing & Retail to Launch GAME OF THRONES® Legacy Experiences in Northern Ireland. To read the full HBO press release please click here: https://t.co/JoaqMngJ0x pic.twitter.com/Azj2unpBal
— Tourism NI (@NITouristBoard) September 24, 2018
Jeff Peters, HBO Vice President, Licensing and Retail: “HBO is thrilled to celebrate the work of the Game of Thrones creative team and crew by preserving these locations and inviting fans to visit Northern Ireland and explore Westeros in person.
“The opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland’s pivotal role in the life and legacy of the show and share its culture, beauty and warmth is also a huge inspiration behind these Legacy projects.
John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, said: “We couldn’t be more excited about the Game of Thrones Legacy project coming to Northern Ireland. While fans have seen the stunning landscapes, coastlines and mountains in the series, we are thrilled they will now have the opportunity to fully experience the charm of Northern Ireland and immerse themselves in to the world of Westeros.
“The Game of Thrones Legacy project will be a game changer for Northern Ireland on a global tourism level. We very much welcome this exciting announcement by HBO and look forward to attracting many more visitors to our beautiful country as a result.”
Given the unique and impressive nature of the production work in Northern Ireland, plans are underway to include the standing sets for iconic locations such as Winterfell, Castle Black, and Kings Landing alongside a formal studio tour of Linen Mill Studios which will showcase a wide array of subject matter from the series spanning all seasons and settings.
A description of the full scope of the Game of Thrones Legacy project will be revealed at a later date after the exploratory process is completed. A tentative targeted open date is currently set for 2019.
Written by Andrew Moore