Tourism Ireland’s Game of Thrones Tapestry goes on display in Bayeux

Published on : Saturday, September 14, 2019

Tourism Ireland’s hand-crafted Game of Thrones Tapestry goes on display in Bayeux, Normandy, from today (13 September). It will be exhibited in the historic Hôtel du Doyen in Bayeux, within walking distance of the legendary 11^th-century Bayeux Tapestry – which was a key source of inspiration for its new neighbour.

Tourism Ireland’s Game of Thrones Tapestry was created in 2017, in conjunction with HBO and National Museums Northern Ireland – featuring some of the most memorable and exciting scenes from season one to season seven. After the final episode of season eight aired earlier this year, a team of 30 volunteer stitchers completed the final section of the tapestry. It is now 87 metres long.

Northern Ireland Showcase in Bayeux

Tourism Ireland is taking this opportunity to shine a spotlight on Northern Ireland and its strong connection with the hugely popular TV series – in France and elsewhere around the world. To mark the opening day of the exhibition, Tourism Ireland has organised a press conference and Northern Ireland showcase event in Bayeux; more than 40 French and international journalists will attend.

Guests will experience and see:

a ‘Taste of Northern Ireland’ organised in conjunction with Tourism NI and Food NI: showcasing some of the best of Northern Ireland food and drink – presented by Northern Ireland cookbook author and one of France’s most celebrated food writers, Trish Deseine. They will sample Glenarm Organic Salmon, Lecale Harvest pâté, wheaten and soda bread with Abernethy Dulse Butter, Millbay Oysters, cider and pressed apple juice from the Armagh Cider Company, Belfast Artisan Distillery Gin, charcuterie from Broughgammon Farm and Ballyriff Buffalo Farm, Young Buck blue cheese, a selection of traybakes and Suki Tea – and much more!
a Northern Ireland exhibition area in the courtyard of the Hôtel du Doyen, where they will hear all about Northern Ireland from representatives of Titanic Belfast, the Ulster Museum, the Giant’s Causeway and Winterfell Tours – among others. There will be a fun embroidery demo; and entertainment will be provided by the Stonewall Folk Group, from Co Armagh.
a journey through Tourism Ireland’s previous Game of Thrones campaigns in the Hôtel du Doyen – including a ‘Glass of Thrones’ corridor, with replicas of the stained-glass windows (from Tourism Ireland’s 2019 GoT campaign); a video which goes behind the scenes of the Game of Thrones Tapestry and how it was made (from the 2017 campaign); a replica ‘Door of Thrones’ (from Tourism Ireland’s 2016 campaign); some Targaryen-farmed dragon eggs, three-eyed ravens and the dragon which appeared in Belfast Zoo (from the 2015 campaign); and finally
the Game of Thrones Tapestry – newly installed on the first floor of the Hôtel du Doyen.

After a decade of filming and production in Northern Ireland, Game of Thrones finally came to a close last May. Now that the eighth and final series has aired, Tourism Ireland’s aim is to ensure the show’s legacy is felt long after that final episode – so that the connection between Game of Thrones and Northern Ireland will be remembered long after the show has left our screens.

“The phenomenal popularity of Game of Thrones remains a fantastic opportunity to promote Northern Ireland to a huge audience of prospective visitors around the world”, said Mark Henry, Tourism Ireland’s Central Marketing Director. “Record numbers of fans travelled from all over the world to Northern Ireland last year, to visit their favourite locations from the TV show and spent an unprecedented £50 million (around €56) during their stay. Now that the final series has aired, our aim is to ensure the show’s legacy continues – so that the connection between this epic drama and Northern Ireland is remembered long after the show has left our screens. We’re reminding people everywhere that Northern Ireland is ‘Game of Thrones Territory’ and encouraging them to come and explore the landscapes and locations featured in the series for themselves.”