Step back into Game of Thrones days
Fans can suit up in medieval garb for archery experience at Irish castle where early scenes were filmed
More than 50 years had passed since I last handled a bow and arrow. Then recently, by chance and opportunity, the game was afoot.
The action took place in the 17th-century farmyard of the fictional Winterfell Castle, near Old Castle Ward, where early scenes from the mega-hit series Game of Thrones were filmed.
Outfitted like my fellow travel writers in medieval-style Stark Family garb — complete with cape and plastic broadsword — I eyed the archery targets in the courtyard. During the show’s first episodes the courtyard was filled with buildings via computer-generated images that duplicated the mini-castle nearby.
As expected, the costumes and setting provided a step back in time.
ARCHRIVALS
The fantasy-drama focuses on nobleman Eddard (Ned) Stark’s family struggles with archrivals.
But U.S. novelist, screenwriter and TV producer George R.R. Martin, whose mother had Irish ancestors, carefully researched ancient lore for his 1996 book A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire, the first in his seven-volume series.
Jamie Mackrell, a friendly instructor whose GoT connections included archery in the Battle of Bastards episode, said we should follow his instructions and fire arrows just as Jon Snow taught his half-brother Bran Stark to do during the first episode in 2010.
“Notch, draw, loose,” orders from our master bowman preceded each attempt. Some scored, some missed. I was mostly on the mark, but on a second attempt, my fifth arrow was the only one to hit the bull’s-eye.
Lauded by all, my win was alas shortlived, due to a hesitation with the “loose” order. A momentary holdback resulted in a companion besting my score.
NO BLOOD SPORT
As a result, she had the honour of “beheading” the lowest-scorer, which Mackrell said is a tradition for guests.
All in good spirits at the sheer fun of the experience, we surrendered our fidbacs — ancient Irish for “wood-bend” bows — and joined our guide for a wondrous stroll. For the next hour, we trod trails, over hills, among trees, and on a winding path beneath a clear blue sky. Much of our route was beside Strangford Lough, a 150-square-kilometre lake linked to the Irish Sea.
Wearing a Jon Snow-like black leather costume, Mackrell stopped regularly to compare large colour photographs from early Game of Thrones episodes with trees, other landmarks and a stone hilltop castle tower that were used in scenes.
GETTING THERE
Winterfell Castle & Demesne is near the A25 Motorway in rolling green countryside beside Park Road, in County Down, about a 40-minute drive south from Belfast, two hours from Dublin.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Scenes from the GoT pilot and early episodes were made at Old Castle Ward, with later film sites elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Malta, Spain, Croatia, Morocco and Iceland. Most interior scenes are now filmed in Belfast at the giant Paint Hall in the former Harland and Wolff shipyard, where the ill-fated Titanic was launched.
Operated by the Clearsky Adventure Centre, many Winterfell GoT activities are available. Our group Archery Movie Set Experience cost about $50 per person. A private package for up to three people is about $170 per person. See gameofthrones-winterfelltours.com. Other activities: medieval banquets, boat tours near film locales, Mountains of Mourne tours, plus cycling and walking tours. Visits to Belfast-area production sites can also be arranged.
Guided tours of the Old Castle Ward mansion and gardens are also available.
Strangford Lough and nearby towns are well worth seeing. Area recreation includes water sports and birdwatching. Vikings were active locally during the Middle Ages.
For details on travel, contact Tourism Ireland at ireland.com.