February 22, 2023 | 12:21pm
NORTHERN IRELAND — With an estimated production cost of $6 million per episode for season 1 to $15 million in season 8, and with $285 million in profit per episode according to Bloomberg, Home Box Office’s (HBO’s) original fantasy drama series “Game of Thrones” (GoT) is literally the biggest and greatest show on Earth.
While the show was shot in different locations around the globe, many of the scenes and around 80 to 90% of its artisans such as costume makers and extras, including the Wildlings and the White Walkers, came from Northern Ireland, said Patrick, a seasoned guide from coach travel company McComb’s.
While Northern Ireland has been feted as location to many great international and Hollywood films, including the biggest museum for James Cameron’s blockbuster “Titanic,” Northern Ireland is most proud as the main backdrop for GoT, said Patrick.
In fact, many of his friends and family have been cast in GoT at some point, and even if they were just extras, “They feel like superstars!” Patrick exclaimed.
Since “Thrones,” it has been common among them "Thronies," he said, to hear from friends and family who had been extras to hear stories like “Did you see me? I was one of the (hundreds of Wildlings) in the cliff running behind Jon Snow!” or “I was that Night Walker (among hundreds) chasing Bran Stark!”
In Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, the world's first and only official “Game of Thrones” studio tour, thousands of the show’s original costumes, props and sets are on display, alongside interactive areas where secrets behind the show’s special effects, prosthetics and soundtracks behind the Seven Kingdoms are revealed.
Did you know that since it’s impossible to have snow all-year-round for shooting Winterfell scenes, the series had a department solely dedicated for snow? According to the show's official guide book, the series used 52,000 bags of faux snow that is actually made from a mixture of paper and water. "The smoke from fires and explosions appeared thanks to 500 kgs of powdered coffee creamer," the guide book added.
Alongside surprising trivia, it is also possible to actually bump into a cast member while visiting the site! According to Linen Mill Studios staff, among those who have been spotted in the area was the Iron Throne winner himself, King Bran Stark (played by British actor Isaac Hempstead Wright).
The Houses
Targaryen
Original costumes of Queen Daenerys Targaryen (center) and her household at her Dragonstone throne room.
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GoT Season 7 Episode 2 scene in Dragonstone when Daenerys (left) met with allies like Lady Olenna Tyrell (far right, seated)
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Daenerys' costumes as Khaleesi
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Dragon skulls sculpted for the series
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Dragon props used in the flying scenes with actors
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From left: Dragon eggs given as wedding present to Daenerys Targaryen at her wedding with Khal Drogo; a baby dragon hatched from the egg
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Ornately carved doors with House Targaryen (left) and House Stark symbols. These were made from repurposed wood from trees cut in the series or burned for dragon scenes. These doors have been scattered all over Northern Ireland for 'Thronies' to find.
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Stark
House Stark original costumes (from left): Bran, Arya, Jon Snow and Sansa, as seen on Winterfell's Great Hall scene
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Bran Stark original dummy used in the series
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Original costumes used in the show, as seen in this Brienne of Tarth knighting scene
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The Crypts of Winterfell, including those that appeared in a dream sequence featuring Jon and Sansa (top)
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Sansa (left) and Arya's costumes
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A Stark statue alongside a Targaryen banner and other props used in ships in the series
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The Dark Hedges, best known as King's Road in 'Game of Thrones,' is an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road, between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim. In the series, in Season 2: Episode 1, this is where Arya escaped from King’s Landing disguised as a boy, following the death of her father, Ned Stark. She escaped with Hot Pie, Yoren, Gendry and others who later joined the Night’s Watch.
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Braavos Canal as seen in a scene featuring Arya Stark
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Plaque detailing the scene shot to represent the Braavos Canal
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Baratheon
Costumes and set for Stannis Bratheon and company
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Cushendun Caves where Melisandre gave birth to a shadow in the shape of Stannis, which killed Renly Baratheon.
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Lannister
Map room of Westeros (left); a recreation of Jamie and Cersei's map room scene
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Tommen's room and costume
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Costumes of Jamie, Tyrion and Cersei
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Cersei's necklace and gown
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Original King's Landing hallways
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Lannisters' King's Landing chamber
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House Lannister costumes, props and sigil
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From left: Costumes for Little Finger, Small Council and King Joffrey
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Cersei and Jamie dummies used in the series' finale
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Tyrell, Martell
House Tyrell costumes and props
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Costumes of Ellaria Sand of House Martell, Queen Cersei of House Lannister, and Queen Consort Margaery Tyrell
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Greyjoy
Castle ruins where House Greyjoy's castle and Iron Islands are built upon using special effects
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Other characters
Costumes for The Mountain (left) and a Wildling giant. The giants are played by actors over seven feet tall and made to appear twice as big using body foam suits and a silicone prosthetic head weighing several pounds.
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White Walker costumes
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Original weapons and artillery used in the series such as spears and shields (left) and giant arrow used by the Lannisters to kill a dragon
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Orginal weapons used by (from left) Jon Snow, Tyrion when he killed his father Tywin, and Ned Stark featured in original GoT posters
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Set design models
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Prosthetics
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The Night's Watch set and costumes
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Khal Drogo's belt (top) and Sansa Stark's necklace
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Tyrion Lannister's Hand of the King necklace (left) and Sansa Stark's necklace
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Olenna Tyrell's belt (left) and Daenerys' necklace
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From left: Hand of the King Pin; Sons of Harpy mask
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From left: Sansa Stark's gloves; Jamie Lannister's hand
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Books about the history of the Seven Kingdoms used in the series
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WATCH: 'Game of Thones' outdoor locations
WATCH: 'Game of Thrones' Studio Tour
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