‘Game of Thrones’ site in Co Antrim may be closed to traffic

The road through the Dark Hedges tourist attraction in Co Antrim could be closed to traffic permanently over fears for the future of the trees.

The trees, which were planted on the Bregagh Road by the Stuart family in the 18th-century, are used to represent the King's Road in the hit TV fantasy drama Game of Thrones.

The road was closed earlier this year when two of the trees fell following high winds.

Concerns have been raised that the high volume of traffic through the attraction contributed to the problem.

The Northern Ireland Executive's Department of Infrastructure, headed by Sinn Féin's Chris Hazzard, has proposed banning vehicles from the road.

The department has said it intends to publish a notice of intention for the proposal later this year.

Department statement

A statement from the department said: “Following discussions with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and other interested parties, the department has agreed to take forward an order prohibiting vehicles using Bregagh Road.

The iconic tunnel of trees near Armoy has become a major tourist attraction since featuring in the smash-hit television series Game of Thrones, based on books by George RR Martin.

The show has a global audience of tens of millions and fans have flocked to Northern Ireland to visit the landscapes and locations used for filming.