Game of Thrones Doors and Food Tour – Northern Ireland

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I cannot believe it took me this long to wake up to how wonderful Northern Ireland is. It’s only a couple of hours up the road from Dublin, but I’d barely explored it at all. Luckily, this year I was given several opportunities to see it from different angles and I keep falling more and more in love with it.

As you may have noticed from some of my previous posts, I am a Game of Thrones fan. I have now visited several of the filming locations in Northern Ireland and even a few SECRET ones. So when I was asked to try out a new Game of Thrones Doors and Food tour with Glenara Elite, I was pretty excited. Nerdiness, food, drink AND beautiful Northern Ireland?! Sign me up! 

Game of Thrones Doors and Food Tour

About Glenara Elite

Glenara Elite Travel is a Northern Irish luxury tour and transport company run by Frances Galbraith. Her 16-seat mini van is plush, comfortable and intimate. I have done a couple of tours with Frances this year and have brought my mother with me on both occasions, and my sister on another. Frances drives all the tours herself and knows the roads like the back of her hand. After all, she has been driving buses in Northern Ireland for over 20 years. Apart from the Game of Thrones Doors and Food tour, she also does a Causeway Coast tour, golf tours, photography tours and tours of the Belfast Christmas markets. 

About The Game of Thrones Doors

There are 10 Game of Thrones Doors in Northern Ireland. In January 2016 storm Gertrude hit, felling two trees from the famous “Dark Hedges” GOT filming location in Northern Ireland. The Dark Hedges are probably better known to “thronies” as The King’s Road. The wood from these two fallen trees was carved into the 10 Game of Thrones Doors that are now dotted around Northern Ireland. Each door represents an episode from season 6. The doors are fully functional and are not just there for decoration. In fact, most of the locals seem to forget that they’re even there. 

The Itinerary

Pick up around 4:30pm from pre-arranged pick up spot. Meet Frances, driver and Glenara owner, and Caroline, your knowledgeable local tour guide.

*Prosecco/water/beer/cider on bus*

Owens Bar 

The first stop on the tour is a small cosy pub with a distinctly local feel. It was busy, friendly and a bit of a tight fit. The crowd of patrons surrounding the bar parted slightly to allow us safe passage to the outdoor seating area.

The Game of Thrones Doors here is door number 5 (of the 10). It faces the outdoor area, with the toilets on its left and the hallway to the bar on its right. People regularly walk past it without a second look. Naturally, we all crowded around with cameras. This door is all about the Night’s King, White Walkers and the Dire Wolf.

After we’d taken our pictures it was time to sample some local breads and oils from local producers, Broighter Gold. The local beer here is the Giant’s Organ. I recommend trying it simply for the name. Otherwise, MORE PROSECCO.

*Prosecco/water/beer/cider on bus*

Fullerton Arms

Next stop is the Fullerton Arms near Ballintoy harbour (used to film the Iron Island scenes in GOT). This pub is very family and dog friendly, we saw plenty of both upon our arrival. Door 6 makes its home here. This door is a front door for the pub and opens directly out onto the street. It focuses mainly on Drogon, the most ferocious of Daenerys’ dragons. This was my favourite door.

Next on the menu was seafood chowder for the fish/meat eaters. I had a chunky vegetable soup as I’m a vegetarian. The soup comes with wheaten bread. At this stage in the tour I was already starting to get a bit full. But there’s so much more. They also have a replica Iron Throne at this pub. The ladies and gents at Northern Ireland tourism will probably give out to me for this because it’s not OFFICIAL, but it’s a pretty great photo opp regardless. AND they have an original costume from the show which you can try on for said photo opp. 

*Prosecco/water/beer/cider on bus*

Gracehill House

Stop number three is the magnificent Gracehill House located beside the Dark Hedges. This location is stunning. Michael Bay was recently up there filming some scenes for Transformers. No big deal. When we arrived it was Halloween weekend and they had transformed half the house into a House of Horrors. I’d love to return here and explore the beautiful house during the day.

The door at Gracehill House is number 7 and leads from the reception to the restaurant. It depicts the three-eyed raven, the Stark sigil and a beech leaf in a crown (as a nod to the Dark Hedges). Now, onto the main course, LOTS OF MEAT. If you’re into ribs and wings and wedges, then you are in LUCK. For the vegetarians baked camembert was prepared and it was delicious. There was so much food that most of us had to be rolled back to the bus.

*Prosecco/water/beer/cider on bus*

Mary McBrides Bar

This bar was my favourite decoration and atmosphere wise. Mary McBrides is located in Cushendun, a small town famous for its caves which feature in GOT. At the very back of this pub, between two cosy booths is door number 8. This depicts scenes of Arya’s misadventures in Braavos. Needle and the coin both feature. At this stage in the tour I was not sure if I could eat anymore. BUT, then they brought out the cheese boards. I had to. Delicious local cheese, chutney and crackers teamed with the local Rathlin Real Ale?! PERFECTION! How could I say no? I am a mere mortal.

*Prosecco/water/beer/cider on bus*

Return to hotel/train station/pre-arranged drop off point around 11pm, a little tipsy and a LOT full.

What Did I Think?

Well, no surprise here, I absolutely loved it. Frances is a wonderful woman and really knows how to put together a great tour. Caroline is an excellent tour guide and an extremely passionate foodie. I am really not a massive foodie but her enthusiasm is so infectious and her knowledge so impressive that I loved every second of the tour. You’ll feel like she’s your best friend before the end of the trip. And honestly, with all that prosecco/beer flying around, how could I not have the time of my life?

This tour is suitable for friends, families, birthdays, hens, work parties and more. And at only £50 per person, it’s pretty reasonable. That includes transport, all your food and drink. And if you think about how much a 4 course meal with at least 4 drinks would cost you, £50 starts to seem very cheap indeed! So get booking. I’m thinking it would make a great Christmas gift for some of my favourite family members (you know who you are). 

Video Evidence

For more information about the tour or to book your spot on a tour,
visit the Glenara Elite website. 

Want to explore this area of the world but do it at your own pace? Then check out this guide to the perfect Antrim Coast road trip by the lovely Carol from WayfaringViews.