Private tour in Dublin John D

Game of Thrones Day Trip of Winterfell + Haunted Forest

5.0

(4) reviews

-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

John D.

4.9

Guide rating

123

Reviews

Tours delivered

5 hrs

Avg. response time

I am a licensed driver guide with my own limousine, a native of Dublin with a passion for my country and explaining both it and its history to visitors. I have had a life long interest in cultural and natural heritage of all kinds and really know the way to all the best and most interesting places. Dublin is a wonderful city to visit with an interesting history stretching back over a thousand years and is full of great architecture, historic places, fascinating museums and is renowned for it's highly educated, vibrant young population (50% are under 45 years old) and its great food. In addition it is famous as a UN World Heritage City for English Literature and for the many famous rock musicians that live here such as U2. Let me make sure you get to see and experience the best it has to offer. The city is located on wide a beautiful wide horse shoe shaped bay backed by the beautiful Wicklow Mountains to the South and the rich farmland of the central plain to the West and North. Around the city in whatever direction you travel there are numerous places full of interest; from one of the greatest gardens in the world at Powerscourt, to the World Heritage Tombs of the Boyne Valley, or the rugged beauty of the Wicklow Mountains. Whatever direction you choose to go I know all theses areas well, having grown up visiting them and studying them as part of my career. Let me bring you to them and I will make sure you get to see as much as time permits while telling you all about them. I retired as Properties and Conservation Manager of the National Trust for Ireland in 2012 to devote myself to a full-time career as a tour guide and I am an Irish Government Approved National Tour Guide. I also hold a National University of Ireland Professional Certificate in Genealogy and Family History. I am licensed to drive up to 16 people in both limousines and mini buses. In the past I was Chairman the Heritage Gardens and Designed Landscapes Committee for ten years, served as Vice Chairman of The National Trust for Ireland, President of the European Network of National Heritage Organisations, a member of the Executive Committee of the International National Trusts Organisation and the Council of Europa Nostra (the pan European Heritage Alliance). I am also a founder member of both The Irish Garden Plant Society and The Tree Council of Ireland. I look forward to meeting you, and sharing the best of Dublin. Hons. Bachelor of Business in Entrepreneurship with First Class Honours Graduate Certificate in Business Management for Sustainable Development Failte Ireland Tour Guiding and Tourist Management Certificate with Distinction Limousine and Minibus Driver Licenses The National University of Ireland Certificate in Genealogy with first class honours (ordinary degree level certificate awarded after three years study, level 7 QQI) Graduate of The National Botanic Gardens in Amenity Horticulture. Member: Approved Tour Guides of Ireland (ATGI) Member: Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) As a licensed guide, I have no restrictions.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message John D.

Overview of your Dublin tour

As a fan of Game of Thrones, I love showing people where the show was made in some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. This day trip will transport you to the places where Game of Thrones is made in scenic Co Down, Northern Ireland just one and half hours north of Dublin. Highlights include some of the most beautiful and historic parts of the Mourne Mountains along with Castle Ward, where Winterfell is filmed and Rob Stark's Camp Located, Tollymore Forest where The Haunted Forest is located and Inch Abbey (The Red Fork) where Rob Stark was proclaimed King of the North in episode 1. Along the way we will lunch in the beautiful coastal village of Strangford and gaze out at the Twins where the Red Wedding took place. We may even be able to eat exactly where many of the cast ate drank stayed during filming.

Recent Reviews

Darcie N.
June 2025

I want to thank you John for a wonderful day. I would recommend this tour for anyone, whether they were a Game of Thrones fan or not. The Tolleymore Forest Park was absolutely beautiful, and probably my favorite part of the day. I loved the serenity and historic element of Inch Abby, and Castle Ward was fun, even though it barely resembled Winterfell Castle! It's amazing what they can do with digital technology. What really put this day over the top was John's vast knowledge of the area and Ireland's history. We had a vague idea of Ireland's history, but John thoroughly explained it so we now have a much better understanding. Thank you John for a day full of beauty and rich in history. If we make it back to Ireland, I'll be reaching out to you for a tour of Newgrange! Hopefully, we'll see you in the near future! Blessings, Darcie Nichols

Lisa B.United States
July 2024

This tour was amazing weather you are a Game of Thrones fan or not. John was an amazing guide. The scenery we saw was great. The Tollymore Forrest was breathtaking. We could have spent all day there. John provided great information about the show, filming and the country. We would highly recommend this tour and John to everyone.

Jay N.United States
July 2022

Highly recommend a private tour with John over the mega bus tours. In addition to the seeing the awe inspiring Game of Thrones shooting locations (worthwhile seeing in their own right), we learned so much about Ireland's people, history and politics. Most importantly John never rushed us, taking as much time as we liked at each location and patiently answering all of our questions, We covered a lot of ground, but the day went by quickly.

Vicky P.United States
April 2019

So accommodating and knows his Irish history and game of thrones info perfectly ! Recommend spending time picking his brain- we had a wonderful time !

Your Dublin tour itinerary

Suggested itinerary: -Leaving Dublin at 8am we will travel north across the border into Northern Ireland stopping along the way for a quick cup of coffee before traveling on to Tollymore Forest Park (The Haunted Forest) where there is a 3 km Game of Thrones trail. -We will then travel on to Castle Ward (Winterfell) and explore sections of the Kings Road and Rob Stark's Camp along another 3 km trail. -By then it will be lunchtime and we will stop in beautiful Strangford where many of cast and crew lunched before visiting historic Inch Abbey (The Red Fork) where the King in the North was proclaimed. -We will then depart for Dublin aiming to be back around 6pm. This tour can be customized to meet your needs. We can make changes to this tour and I can also create brand new, tailor-made customized one, so if you don't see what you're looking for, all you need to do is click on 'Message' and ask me!

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Limousine

Air-conditioned Luxury Mercedes Viano with six individual, pilot passenger seats and complimentary water.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Admission Charges
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Accommodation
Meeting location

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
Day Trip
TV And Movie
Tour reference number
405896
Languages
English
Activity level
Light

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Dublin best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for Game of Thrones fans who want to explore filming locations in the scenic Mourne Mountains and Co Down. It's ideal for those interested in beautiful landscapes and historic sites, and for travellers who want to connect with a local guide for deeper insights.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Dublin be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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