Dark Hedges – Ballycastle Northern Ireland

/ Bulldog Travels

While motoring through a place I often find myself looking for interesting places to “stop along the way.”  I scheduled a lot of driving in our most recent Ireland trip and needed a break to get out and stretch.  Andrew with Have Bag, Will Travel suggested visiting Dark Hedges if I happen to be in the area.  It seems this location is one of many Game of Thrones filming locations in the area.

Well, with a slight detour, we traveled through Ballycastle, Northern Ireland and took a stop at the Hedges.  Gracehill House is a Georgian Mansion built by the Stuart family in the 18th century.  Beech Trees were planted along the approach to the house as a way to impress visitors.

The trees are mesmerizing and stunning in a simplistic sort of way.  No grand gardens were required here.  Just magical and seriously impressive trees growing over one another begging people to walk down their path.

I have always been drawn to tree lines driveways in Ireland, the American South, and anywhere the home owners have the patience and forethought to plant something they may not have the lifespan to fully enjoy.  I am grateful for the Stuarts to think of me, who might, two hundred years later still enjoy the spoils of their efforts.

I’m not kidding when I say I was so taken by this place we barely noticed the actual Georgian Mansion the trees led visitors to.

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The Dark Hedges are located along Bregagh Road, near Gracehill Golf Club, off the A147, approximately 2.5 miles from the village of Stranocum heading north.
*I also submit this entry to Cee’s Which Way Challenge!

41 thoughts on “Dark Hedges – Ballycastle Northern Ireland”

    • They actually had a tour that would bring people to the sites. It sounded fun but I was happy to just visit the one site. It did make me google it to see what it looked like on TV. You should too. It’s neat they made the road dirt and there were carriages on it and stuff.

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  10. There is much more to see on the north Antrim/Derry coast. Kinbane, the stunning walk from Dunseverick castle to the harbour, Balintoy (walk left when you arrive along the coast and avoid the Game of Thrones harbour fans lol), find a fossil at Whitepark Bay, visit Downhill with its Mussenden Temple, the old House, Mausoleum, and below it the beach, Gortmore and its stunning viewpoint, the towering plateau of Binevenagh, and so much more….

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    • Awesome. Thanks for the tips. I will certainly be back. This was my fourth trip to Ireland and I cannot get enough. I had been to Northern Ireland before and I found it particularly stunning this time around. I wouldn’t mind even going back and just spending time in northern Ireland so I can really see it all. Your suggestions are wonderful and right up my alley. Thanks for the comment and thanks for stopping by. You are very welcome anytime.

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    • Thanks! I am glad you love it as much as I did. Do peruse through the other posts I have done and will have coming soon on Ireland if you would like other ideas. I am starting in Dublin, working my way through Northern Ireland and then back down the South in order of posts…I cannot recommend Ireland any higher as a place to visit and I would be happy to make suggestions should you ever visit.

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  20. Gorgeous! You did a great job with this one. I just popped over here from Curt’s blog on his Mendocino coast trip. I’m so glad you had a chance to check out his blog, it’s one of my faves.

    Also I’m glad for the opportunity to get back to yours. I love your posts and your photos and I never seem to find the time to spend here that I want to.

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