We all love switching on the TV after a long day and losing ourselves in a favourite series or movie — but why just watch it when you can live it? Mourne Gullion Strangford has played a starring role in world-famous productions like Game of Thrones®, filmed in iconic locations such as Tollymore Forest Park, Castle Ward, and Inch Abbey. And that’s just the beginning. Instead of watching from the sofa, come walk the very landscapes where these epic stories were brought to life and see the magic of our area of outstanding natural beauty unfold right before your eyes.
Game of Thrones®
It’s no secret that HBO’s global phenomenon Game of Thrones® filmed at several iconic spots across Mourne Gullion Strangford. Wander through the enchanting trails of Tollymore Forest Park,the very first filming location ever used in the series, relive the Stark family drama at Castle Ward and explore the historic ruins of Inch Abbey These atmospheric settings let you step straight into Westeros.
Bloodlands
Strangford Lough's wild waters and grassy islands provided the perfect brooding backdrop for the hit crime drama Bloodlands. Its eerie remoteness suited the series’ dark secrets, while the striking St. John’s Point Lighthouse in Killough was the scene of a dramatic twist of fate.
Dungeons and Dragons
Fantasy lovers will recognise the lush, fairytale-like setting of Tollymore Forest Park where magic, action, and adventure played out in Dungeons & Dragons. With its ancient trees and mystical atmosphere, it’s easy to see why filmmakers chose this enchanting spot.
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Mickybo and Me
This heartwarming film about two boys from opposite sides of the community was shot in Tyrella, Spelga Dam and just outside Clough. Movie fans will love spotting familiar places, from the Market House in Castlewellan (now the local library) to Main Street, where the boys’ mischievous bicycle escape was filmed.
Derry Girls
The hilarious Derry Girls made use of the Downpatrick and County Down Railway, complete with its vintage steam and diesel trains. The comedy cast boarded the 450 series trains, once a staple of the Derry to Belfast route in the 1990s — making it a perfect period setting.
Dani's Castle
Young fans of CBBC will know Killyleagh Castle in County Down, Northern Ireland, the fairytale filming location of Dani’s Castle. Its turrets and history brought the show’s magical storyline to life.
Privates
The BBC1 drama Privates brings the 1960s vividly to life, following the last group of young men called up for National Service as they swap teenage freedoms for the discipline of army training. Set against a backdrop where the old world of deference collides with the rise of rock ’n’ roll, it’s a story full of tension, humour, and change. The cast includes familiar faces such as Patrick Baladi (The Office, Mistresses) as Captain Gulliver, Marc Silcock (Hollyoaks, Emmerdale) as Corporal Jimmy Hobbs, and Jack Fox (Fresh Meat) as Private White-Bowne. While the drama is set in Yorkshire, the filming took place right here in Northern Ireland — at Ballykinlar Army Base, Tyrella Beach and South Promenade, Newcastle. With its mix of military grit and sweeping seaside scenery, the Mourne coastline proved the perfect stage for this period piece.
Your Highness
Hollywood came to Mourne when Universal Pictures’ filmed Your Highness, starring James Franco, Danny McBride and Natalie Portman. Locations included Tollymore Forest Park, Mourne Mountains, and Castle Ward proving again that our landscapes are fit for fantasy.
Whole Lotta Sole
In a misguided attempt to protect his family and pay back gambling debts to the local Mobster, Jimbo robs a fish market, which is coincidentally owned by the same Mobster. Downpatrick was the location for much of the filming of this independent movie, directed by local man Terry George.
The Shore
The Oscar winning short film, directed by Terry George, The Shore is the inspiring story of two boyhood best friends - Joe and Paddy - divided by 25 years of misunderstanding. Much of the filming was done in Killough, County Down.
Cinderella
Cinderella is part of the Fairy Tales series - a modern anthology of four classic Fairy Tales for
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This four-part thriller for
Part of the filming was undertaken at a Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, which was used as the luxurious house for one character and also doubled as a five star hotel.
The Wipers Times
The Downpatrick & County Down Railway was the backdrop for part of the
Wilderness
Tollymore Forest Park and Dundrum Castle were of two of the settings used when filming for Wilderness, a horror feature film. It tells the story of six young people from a youth detention centre who get sent to a boot camp island to be "taught a tough lesson".
Disney - The Lodge
A teenage girl runs her grandfather's lodge in rural Northern Ireland. The series is based on an Israeli series entitled North Star. The series is primarily filmed in Ballynahinch with Montalto Estate and The Carriage Rooms providing the locations for the Disney magic.
How to Train Your Dragon
The world of How to Train Your Dragon came to life against the wild, untamed beauty of Northern Ireland. From the bustling heart of production in Belfast to the mist-shrouded paths of Tollymore Forest Park in Newcastle, every frame was steeped in atmosphere. Here, ancient trees and sweeping landscapes weave a timeless spell—one that grows even more hauntingly beautiful when the skies turn dark and dusky, casting the land in a magical, otherworldly light.
TV and Film Legends
Screen Writer - Terry George
Terry was born in Belfast on 20 December 1952. He and his wife Rita moved to New York in 1981 with their infant daughter. His wife and daughter later became US citizens but he faced deportation proceedings. Following a lobbying campaign by Irish-American supporters, he was allowed to stay in the US, where his wife gave birth to their son.
In 1993, Terry made his debut as screenwriter and assistant director on the film In The Name of The Father, which starred Daniel Day-lewis, and was directed and co-written by Jim Sheridan. The film was nominated for seven academy awards including best adapted screenplay for George and Sheridan.
Terry was named Young European Director of the Year in 1996 for his screenplay of the film, Some Mother's Son which he directed, and which starred Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanaghan.
In 2004 he received a second Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay for Hotel Rwanda which starred Don Cheadle, which he co-wrote, and also produced and directed.
Terry directed Reservation Road in 2007, and wrote and directed short film The Shore in 2010, which won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2012. The Shore was filmed over six days outside his home in Killough, County Down in Northern Ireland. In 2011, he wrote, directed and produced the feature film, Whole Lotta Sole starring Brendan Fraser and Colm Meaney.
TV Personality - Patrick Kielty
Patrick Kielty (born 31 January 1971) is an Irish comedian and television personality from Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland. Patrick won the "Best Newcomer" Award at the 1996 Royal Television Society Awards. In 1997, he set up the Belfast-based TV production company Green Inc with TV director Stephen Stewart. On 20 May 2023, Kielty was confirmed as the new host of RTÉ's The Late Late Show.
Movie Star - Charlie Chaplin
In 1921, when Charlie Chaplin was one of the most famous celebrities in the world, he signed the register of County Down's majestic Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, recording his first name as "Charles" and his address as simply "New York".
Visit the Film Locations Yourself
From castles and coastlines to ancient forests and bustling towns, Mourne Gullion Strangford has proved time and again to be a director’s dream. The only question is: will you just watch it on screen, or come and step into the story for yourself?
Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle and is open to the public all year. Tollymore Forest covers an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.
Discover a place of contrasts and creativity at Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th century mansion and estate looking out over the tranquil waters of Strangford Lough in County Down where visitors can explore cultivated gardens, sheltered woodland and the shoreline.
Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey.
Strangford Lough is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is almost fully enclosed by land. It is the largest sea water inlet in Ireland and the United Kingdom and an important habitat for wildlife. A regular car ferry links the picturesque towns of Strangford and Portaferry. Strangford Lough is a significant asset in the Aspiring UNESCO global Geopark. The Lough was formed at the end of the last ice age. Strangford Lough is Northern Ireland's first Marine Conservation Zone and is a special area of conservation for wildlife. Strangford Lough is a key destination for winter migration for many wading and sea birds. The lough is home to common seals, basking sharks and brent geese.
Castlewellan (Caislean Uidhiln meaning "Uidhilin's castle") is a town located in County Down near the shores of Castlewellan Lake at the foot of Slievenaslat mountain. Castlewellan has a wide main street which runs through two main squares (Upper and Lower Square) lined with chestnut trees. The town was planned by William Annesley in the 1750s and is unique within Ireland due to its tree lined squares both in the old town (upper square) and new town (lower square) as well as its very wide main street. Castlewellan Forest Park is located in a dramatic setting and is home to one of the most notable tree and shrub collections in Europe. It features a walled garden and the Peace Maze.
Travel back to the past with real vintage steam trains through St. Patrick's Country, over the River Quoile and under the graceful Down Cathedral to peaceful ruins of Inch Abbey.
Tyrella Beach is a stunning, award-winning sandy beach on Dundrum Bay in County Down. Backed by 25 hectares of protected dunes, it offers scenic walks, safe swimming, and rich wildlife. Recognised with a Blue Flag Award, Tyrella Beach it’s ideal for families, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Killyleagh is a large village in County Down located on the shores of Strangford Lough and dominated by Killyleagh Castle, a Loire-style chateau which claims to be the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland. The Castle has been the home of the Hamilton family since the 17th century Plantation of Ulster and the turrets can be hired for a self-catering holiday experience. Delamont Country Park is located outside Killyleagh on the road to Downpatrick on the shores of the stunning Strangford Lough. Follow Killyleagh's Heritage trail to learn more about it's famous inhabitants and local history.
Newcastle (An Caisleán Nua) is a seaside resort located in County Down at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne and made famous by the Percy French song "Where the Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea".
A circular route in the central Mournes taking in sites such as Annalong Wood, Slievelamagan, Ben Crom Reservoir, Cove Mountain and Annalong Valley, with views over the Irish Sea and to the Isle of Man.
Downpatrick (Dún Pádraig) is the County town of Down and is a Cathedral town and Downpatrick is the burial place of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. Downpatrick is one of Ireland's most historic towns and the largest town in the Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
An enchanting 18th century Georgian estate in the stunning Down countryside offering a 5 star attraction, bespoke conference and events venue, Georgian mansion for private hire and accommodation, gardens including walled garden and 8km of trails.
Believed to have been built in or around 1177, Dundrum Castle was built by John De Courcy as part of his coastal defence after he invaded Ulster. Dundrum Castle is located on a wooded hill north-west of Dundrum village near Newcastle.
A beloved destination for families, golfers, and holiday travellers, Slieve Donard is a local landmark that’s equal parts homey and breath-taking. The resort sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, on the edge of Royal County Down Golf Club, ranked no. 1 in the world by Golf Digest.
Killough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the Irish Sea shore near Ardglass, five miles southeast of Downpatrick. Killough is a quaint, picturesque village and is well worth a visit. Killough was once a busy port and village servicing commerce on the East Coast of Northern Ireland. Saint John's Point Lighthouse sits on the outskirts of Killough Village and was designed by George Halpin Senior. It also features in Van Morrison's song "Coney Island".
