Some vacations are planned, while others just kind of draw you in.
It began for me on a rainy weekend when I rewatched Game of Thrones. You know the kind: no plans, steaming tea, and a blanket. However, I came to the realization that I wanted more than just to rewatch Westeros halfway through season two. I wanted to walk it.
The next thing I knew, I was packing waterproof layers and one very important item—my wool tweed cap from shamrockgift—into my bag and making travel arrangements to Ireland and Northern Ireland. It’s traditional, green, and exudes a rustic rustic charm—basically, the unofficial uniform of traveling across the North.
And excuse me, standing on the shores of Ballintoy Harbor (also known as the Iron Islands) with that cap on? It felt right.
A surprisingly large portion of Game of Thrones was filmed in Northern Ireland, where my adventure started. Long before HBO arrived, these locales had their own enchantment, unlike some TV sets that seem like little more than backdrops.
The Iron Islands, or Ballintoy Harbour
In person, Ballintoy is just as evocative and dramatic as it appears on TV. The wind pulls at your coat (and your cap), the sea slams against sharp rocks, and all of a sudden you realize why the Ironborn are so… intense.
I was standing in the spot where Theon Greyjoy had come home. Despite its diminutive size—you can cross the entire port in ten minutes or less—it makes a significant impression.
The Kingsroad Dark Hedges
This one you’ve seen before. The gnarled, unearthly beech trees that frame King’s Landing and Arya Stark’s escape? The Dark Hedges are that.
Despite being one of the busiest places I’ve been (be prepared for people and photographers), it still felt weird, especially in the early morning mist. Pulling my hat down low and turning up my collar made me feel as if I was slinking out of Westeros myself.
Winterfall’s Castle Ward
Winterfell is placed in Castle Ward, which is close to Strangford Lough. I didn’t anticipate feeling quite so moved when I got there, but it was nostalgic to be on the same grounds as Ned and Jon.
If you want the complete immersive experience, you can really shoot arrows while dressed in full Stark armor. Despite the costume’s amusing appearance, I decided to go with my explorer style, complete with sturdy boots, a camera, and my trusty Irish-made cap to keep my head warm.
Beyond fantasy, Ireland has a strong cinematic presence, and I was curious to discover what else the island had to offer.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens & The Last Jedi by Skellig Michael
Like something out of a dream, Skellig Michael rises from the ocean off the southwest coast. It is dramatic, old, and the location of Luke Skywalker’s exile. The vistas are surreal if the weather is favorable, but getting there requires a boat voyage that is frequently rough.
I felt like an explorer as I ascended the stone stairs while the wind howled and I thought about Jedi legend. That hat? It remained securely in place, and several other travelers inquired about my source.
The Wicklow Mountains: Courageous, P.S. Vikings, I love you.
In their own right, the Wicklow Mountains are a performer. I had the impression that I was in several movies at once because of the rolling green hills, waterfalls, and meandering paths. Although Braveheart is about Scotland, I could understand why some of its wild and dramatic moments were filmed here.
I packed a picnic and hiked a couple trails while observing the rolling clouds over the hills. I took a seat on a rock, lowered my cap slightly to cover my eyes, and simply absorbed it.
