Irish farmer reveals Game of Thrones helped to save his farm

An Irish farmer has spoken about how his farm was saved thanks to the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.

Kenny Gracey raises long-horn cattle, Jacob sheep and saddleback pigs on Forthill Farm in Co Armargh.

Farmer Kenny Gracey speaks about Game of thrones

Ten years ago, the farm had begun to struggle financially, and it looked as though it may have to close for good.

Thankfully, HBO had chosen Northern Ireland as one of the filming locations for its new series Game of Thrones.

Northern Ireland played a key part in the saga, with the scenes set in Winterfell, Dragontone, Riverlands and Kings Road being filmed in the North.

The producers contacted Gracey and asked whether he would be able to provide animals for some background scenes.

Gracey obliged and the unexpected extra income was enough to keep his farm afloat throughout the hard times and it is still open a decade later.

Gracey said: “I was going through difficult times but Game of Thrones led to a whole different world to me.

“They asked, could I supply rare and traditional animals for their production.

“This was a godsend to me.”

Gracey became an animal handler for the show and brought his animals to the set. He says that the show gave him the luxury of being able to carry on doing what he loves – working with animals.

Virtually every animal on the show that isn’t a horse (or a dragon) was supplied by Gracey.

He said: “Nearly any animal that has been seen on Game of Thrones has come from our farm.”

Take a look at the video below.

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