Tourism NI launches SCENic Route map to showcase film and TV locations across Northern Ireland

Jeananne Craig, event host, actor Seamus O’Hara and Liz Steele, Culture & Heritage Tourism Manager at Tourism NI, pictured at the launch of Tourism Northern Ireland’s new SCENic Route map.

Tourism Northern Ireland has unveiled a new illustrated visitors’ map designed to inspire fans of film and television to explore some of the region’s most recognisable screen locations.

The SCENic Route map, launched at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge, highlights 20 filming sites across Northern Ireland, celebrating productions such as Derry Girls, Hope Street, Line of Duty, The School of Good & Evil and The Frankenstein Chronicles.

The illustrated guide is available in hard copy at Visitor Information Centres and can also be downloaded from discovernorthernireland.com.

The launch comes as interest in “set-jetting” – visiting real-world locations featured in films and TV – continues to grow. According to Visit Britain research, seven in ten visitors to the UK have sought out a filming location, while nine in ten said they would be motivated to travel to a destination after seeing it on screen.

Screen tourism on the rise

The event featured a panel discussion on the growing importance of screen tourism and its potential for Northern Ireland. Contributors included Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development at Tourism NI, Nicola Lyons, Head of Production at NI Screen, Sam Harding, Managing Director at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and Alison Morris, Operations Manager at the Tower Museum in Derry, home to the Derry Girls Experience.

Nicola Lyons, Head of Production, Northern Ireland Screen, Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience and Industry Development, Tourism NI, Sam Harding, Managing Director, Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and Alison Morris, Operations Manager, Tower Museum, Derry, who part in a panel discussion at the launch of Tourism NI’s new SCENEic Map

Also in attendance was County Antrim actor Seamus O’Hara, star of the Oscar-winning short film An Irish Goodbye, as well as Game of Thrones and BAFTA-winning drama Blue Lights.

Speaking about Northern Ireland’s screen appeal, Seamus said:

“I love working in Northern Ireland, to be able to work so much, right on my own doorstep is a privilege. Whether it’s the Glens of Antrim, Mourne or Sperrin Mountains, the Ards Peninsula, Derry’s Walls or Fermanagh’s caves, this place has more stories than we could ever begin to tell.”

Inspiring visitors and boosting the economy

Eimear Callaghan emphasised the role of film and TV tourism in the wider tourism strategy:

“Screen tourism is very much a part of our tourism strategy as we seek to enhance our destination appeal with the creation of authentic experiences right across the north. In turn, this supports jobs and generates revenue for both local and national economy, sustaining a viable visitor economy.

“The SCENic Route will offer inspiration for our visitors to explore, not just our cities, but our rural and coastal screen locations throughout the year.”

She added that the map could also help local tourism providers:

“It can also be used as a resource for tourism providers to create new experiences that will encourage the visitor to extend their stay and discover our people, our places and our incredible stories linked to their favourite TV show or movie.”