Game of Thrones filming to come to Fermanagh

Filming for the Game of Thrones prequel is set to get underway within the county in the coming weeks.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council confirmed to the Impartial Reporter that American Television Network HBO, who made the iconic Game of Thrones series, are filming in Marble Arch caves, beginning next week.

A spokesperson for HBO would not confirm if they were shooting the Game of Thrones prequel in Fermanagh but did confirm that filming for the show would take place at a location in Northern Ireland and that “at this point” the only filming planned for Northern Ireland is for the Game of Thrones prequel.

“As I’m sure you can understand, we don’t confirm our exact locations or shooting schedules. But, you are correct that it will be filming in Northern Ireland,” the spokesperson stated in a response to our query.

The news is sure to have diehard fans of Game of Thrones at fever pitch while, if true, will also act as a huge boost for tourism with current Game of Thrones filming locations already bustling destinations for fans.

A statement from the Council explained the closure of the marble Arch Caves:

“The Marble Arch Caves, including the visitor centre and car park, will be closed from Monday 17 to Wednesday 26 June 2019 inclusive due to filming taking place in the caves. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council apologises for any inconvenience during this time.”

The statement went on to say that The Cladagh Glen, managed by NIEA, will also be closed to the public during this time.

It Concluded by saying:

“The Cuilcagh Boardwalk remains open with car parking available at Killykeegan Nature Reserve and at the privately-operated informal car park at the entrance to the Cuilcagh Mountain path.”

A number of actors have been confirmed for the show including:

Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter from the Harry Potter films), Marquis Rodriquez (Manifest), John Simm (Strangers), Richard McCabe (Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams), John Heffernan (Dracula), Naomi Watts (21 Grams) and Dixie Egerickx (Summerland).

The HBO website has a teaser about the show that states the following:

“Taking place thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, the series chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’s history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend, only one thing is for sure: It’s not the story we think we know.”