Game of Thrones Studio Tour to open this fall in Northern Ireland

It has been quite some time since Game of Thrones finished its run on TV but the fever of ice and fire still grips a large part of the fan-base across the world. More so because our beloved Westeros will surely return in different avatars; the most notable being House of The Dragon, a prequel based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire And Blood. The latest among such offerings is going to be a Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Set in Northern Ireland, it was teased for a long time but we finally have some concrete details to hold onto regarding its opening and operation.

A new report by The Irish News has brought to light a number of exciting developments. Game of Thrones was shot extensively in different parts of Northern Ireland. Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge was one of the prime locations for filming and production. The site of Linen Mill Studios is getting converted into a 110,000 square-foot area; set to provide a strong insight into the life of arguably the most popular show in the world. The studio tour will open in the fall (autumn) of 2020; and preparations are underway to make it as surprising and convenient as possible.

The studio tour is located about 3.5 km east of the town center; and the organizers don’t wish the visitors to drive straight to the site. Thus, a large park and ride facility will be available near the Boulevard retail complex in Banbridge for nearly 350 vehicles.

Regarding its operation, the tour will be open 12 hours per day, seven days a week; and is expected to host 600,000 visitors annually through ten years of operation. An estimate suggests that one-fourth of these visitors will be people from Northern Ireland; while the rest will consist of tourists from across the border and all over the world. This huge influx of tourism will be responsible for a sizable boost in the economy as the spending by the tourists is supposed to reach close to £400m (396.2 million to be precise) by 2030. In terms of investment, the amount being spent stands at £23.7m; and apart from revenue, the studio tour will also employ about 194 people.

John Hogg and Company, a Northern Ireland business group, owns the Linen Mill Studios. It was once home to Ballievey Bleaching Company which played a big role in defining the Irish linen industry. The mill was operated by Ulsters Weavers until Game of Thrones moved in with its production in 2011.

Partnering with HBO Licensing & Retail, Linen Mill Studios will feature the Game of Thrones studio tour; “Showcasing authentic sets, costumes and props from all seasons of the hit series, this engaging tour will allow fans to truly step inside the world of Westeros and beyond,” the official website quotes. The great hall of Winterfell will serve as the centerpiece for the tour; here the visitors will be able to engage in a lot of digitally interactive activities. There will also be a restaurant and ‘back-lot café’, a planned replica for the studio-catering experience.

The King’s Landing set based at Titanic Studios in Belfast still remains a curiosity. After being razed to the ground by the mother-son duo of Daenerys-Drogon in season 8, the set has continued to stand in its demolished glory. The HBO officials have hinted at possibilities of opening it up for visitors but nothing helpful has come our way. It’s a waiting game right now as there is the prequel for the Targaryen dynasty which will feature King’s Landing in its Aegon the Conqueror days. Thus, it might just come handy.

So, the news is finally out. Many of us have been closely following the developments since the Game of Thrones legacy project was first announced back in 2018. The fans will get an opportunity to walk on the locations where they saw jaw-dropping action being performed. It will hopefully be worth every drop of blood and sweat that stained the drama from the land of the seven kingdoms. Tell us your views in the comments section below.

Game of Thrones had plenty of social messages hidden in plain sight. Though it may not be too obvious, it was a representation of our own society. According to recent research, the fantasy show is very similar to real-world human interactions. That’s the reason why the show was such a big hit, people could relate to the characters. The series was a big platform to showcase the Domestic Abuse women face behind closed doors. Mother of Dragons, Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), has come forward in support of them.

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Emilia posted a picture on her Instagram with a heart symbol drawn on her hand. She captioned, “This is something I care deeply about, and a problem that is everywhere, but behind closed doors.

For far too many home isn’t a safe place for those living with domestic abuse. I want to reach out and connect to anyone reading this who may feel scared in their own homes during this time.

At home should not mean at risk – we support you. #YouAreNotAlone.

If you or anyone you know is at risk of, or experiencing domestic abuse, you can leave your home to seek refuge. The police will respond to your calls and support services remain available.

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger. If you can’t speak and are calling from a mobile, listen to the operator and, when prompted, dial 55 to be connected to the police who will help.

If you suspect a neighbour or someone you know is currently experiencing domestic abuse please do call 999 and let them take the situation forward.”

It’s time to raise our voices against the issue. Tell us how we can curb the violence in the comments below!

Even though the year 2020 has ruined so many holidays for us, we can’t let go of the festive mood. Christmas is around the corner, and it’s time for cakes, cookies and presents! Festivals are one of the few occasions that strengthen the bonds of a family. It seems like singer Joe Jonas is already a step ahead, gifting his wife Sophie Turner an early Christmas present. The Game of Thrones star was really happy about it and proudly showed it off on Instagram.

Joe gifted her a T-shirt covered in throwback photos of singer and actress Miley Cyrus. The top is emblazoned with the words ‘Hannah Montana’. It features photos of Cyrus both in character as the Disney icon Hannah, who she played between 2006 and 2011, and as herself after she had shed her Disney image.

“Thanks to the Hubbs of the year for my early Christmas gift,” Turner wrote alongside a photo of herself posing in her new item of clothing.

They welcomed their baby daughter Willa in July this year. Sophie has got a tattoo tribute to her daughter. She has the letter W inked on her wrist below the J she already had for her husband.

Send your best wishes to Sophie and her cute little family in the comments below! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Game of Thrones ended more than a year ago. The fans of the fantasy series miss the show dearly. The cast of the show has moved on to newer projects. Kit Harington (Jon Snow) is busy shooting for Modern Love (And preparing for fatherhood as well). Iain Glenn (Ser Jorah Mormont) has completed the shooting of his upcoming movie The Racer.

Directed by Kieron J Walsh, the movie circles around a series of scandals that took place at the 1998 Tour de France. The film was the opening film for the Cork International Film Festival. Though fictional, The Racer shows the dangerous lengths teams will go to for a competitive edge. Iain Glen plays the team’s Mr Fixit with the syringes and vials, Sonny McElhone.

Vertigo Releasing will be releasing The Racer in UK cinemas and on streaming platforms from 18 December. The Racer was due to premiere at SXSW back in March before it was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Empire.com has shared an exclusive clip from the movie along with a poster. Below are some snaps from the clip. Let’s check them out!

Are you excited about exploring the dark world of competitive cycling? Talk to us in the comments below!