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A “GAME-CHANGING” Game of Thrones visitor attraction has opened in Co Down.
Parts of sets, costumes, weapons and behind the scenes video clips are included in the exhibition at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, which was used during the filming of the HBO fantasy series.
The programme, watched by millions around the world, was principally filmed on location and in studios across Northern Ireland, showcasing the region internationally.
Two years after the show’s finale was aired in 2019, it has become a significant source of tourism.
Stormont Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons, described the opening of the world’s first and only officially-licensed Game of Thrones studio tour attraction as “game-changing”.
Lyons described the show as a “television and cultural phenomenon” and paid tribute to local talent and crafts people who brought the story to the small screen.
“That Northern Ireland was the principal filming location is testament both to the quality of the places we have here, and to the highly skilled, screen industry, talent base available,” he said.
“I am delighted, therefore, that Linen Mill Studios, where a significant proportion of Northern Ireland-based scenes were filmed, has become the world’s first and only officially-licensed Game of Thrones studio tour attraction, and a tangible symbol of the show’s legacy in Northern Ireland.
“This is the only place on the planet where you can see first-hand some of the stunning sets, intricate costumes, imaginative props, breath-taking concept sketches and many more authentic items related to the show.”
Visiting the attraction on this morning before it opens to the public on Friday, Lyons said the timing, coming after the coronavirus pandemic, “could not be more opportune”.
“As international travel opens up once more, Northern Ireland has added this world class attraction to its already dynamic tourism offering,” he said.
“I congratulate studio owners on bringing the project to fruition and look forward to seeing the positive impact the Game of Thrones Studio Tour has on the local tourism landscape for many years to come.”
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Like the Titanic this will be milked to within an inch of its life.
@Pete Gilmartin: is that a bad thing if it brings tourists money into an area
@Pete Gilmartin: a Thai restaurant opened in Belfast a few years back. What was it called?
Thaitanic
I kid you not! Lol
@Pete Gilmartin: if it brings tourism into NI so be it. It will benefit the economy and put NI on the map internationally.
A good day I have to say for NI
@Pete Gilmartin: I would argue the titanic was less of a disaster
@Kevin Maughan: that is brilliant
If they hadn’t absolutely ruined the whole show by going off the source material and just making it up(terribly) as they went along for the last 2 seasons, I’d be inclined to go, call me pedantic but it’d make me annoyed to go see this just because of how terrible the ending was
@Sean Stevenson: Haha, I’ve never agreed with someone so much. I’ve not seen such a backlash from such fans since Lost. Man, the end (i.e. 2 last series) of GoT will go down in history as one of the worst endings to a show, ever.
@Sean Stevenson: yea the last 2 seasons were painful. But they didn’t have any source material for it. George RR Martin just gave the writers a rough idea of how the books would end. Readers of the books are hoping Martin actually finished writing the the last and ends them better than the show did.
@Alan Wright: True Blood takes some beating for that tirle.
@Roy Dowling: so you could say the show was better as it actually had an ending. Everyone knows any good story should have a beginning a middle and an ending.
Banbridge… Not a chance.
@Richard Griffin: why?
@Richard Griffin: nice wee shopping centre there.
@Richard Griffin: I agree … Kells would have suited me better ;)
I’m going. Huge fan of the novels. Agree with comments re last series,still they did some great TV!
@Proinsias Ó Fearghail: Likewise and I’d love to visit it. I’ve already been on the Winterfell locations tour from Dublin and it was an excellent day, highly recommend it if you’re reasonably fit. https://gameofthronestours.com/studio-winterfell-dublin. They’re a different company from the one featured in the article but they’ve added a Studio drop-off to the itinerary so it’s possible to do both.
Hodor
£115 for a family ticket and £40 for an adult. Bit much
Why no photos of it for readers journal?
Are you serious? That dreadful last season killed any interest people had in the show.
How to Drain your Dragon
have your say