Ballintroy

​Ballintroy is  a tiny village perched above one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in Northern Ireland. Ballintroy Harbour, tucked between steep cliffs and black volcanic rock, feels like a place lifted straight from a storybook — or, as many visitors now know, straight from a film set. 

Ballintroy Harbour is instantly recognisable to anyone who watched Game of Thrones — this quiet, rugged inlet became the Iron Islands, home of the Greyjoys. Standing on the black rocks with the waves crashing in, it’s easy to see why the location scouts chose it. 

The harbour is sheltered by jagged basalt rocks, their dark shapes breaking the waves before they reach the shore. Between the stones, pockets of colour appear — sea pinks, tiny coastal flowers, and patches of hardy vegetation clinging to the cracks. In the tidal pools, small crabs, darting fish, and bright seaweed create a miniature world that feels alive with movement. 

Just beyond the harbour sits a small sea cave, carved out by years of Atlantic swell. It’s instantly recognisable to Game of Thrones fans — this is where Theon Greyjoy first came ashore in the Iron Islands. 
​Just beyond the harbour, a small, rugged beach opens up — a mix of pale sand, dark basalt stones, and sea‑washed boulders scattered like they’ve been dropped there by the tide. 
Another Game of Thrones sign explains how this stretch of coastline was transformed into the Iron Islands, pointing out the exact spots where key scenes were filmed. It’s a fun reminder of just how much of Westeros was brought to life along these rugged shores, and it adds an extra layer of magic as you explore the harbour and its hidden corners.