In honor of Game of Thrones' final season, a very special tribute to the series' legacy and impact on Northern Ireland is appearing across Belfast: Game of Thrones stained glass windows.
As Game of Thrones aired its final episodes, huge stained glass tributes to the series began popping up around Belfast to form a Glass of Thrones trail in celebration of the show. One even lets you sit on the Iron Throne!
The day after Game of Thrones Season 8 premiered on April 14, the first of the Glass of Thrones installations was unveiled at the main entrance of Belfast City Hall.
Yay! The big reveal of our #GlassofThrones campaign in Belfast today pic.twitter.com/1q5xU7FUnT
— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) April 15, 2019
Each window, hand designed by an illustrator and painted by an artist in Bangor, Co. Down, is a nod to a main house or family on the series.
Read More: The ultimate Game of Thrones travel guide to Northern Ireland
The first stained glass window is all about the Starks of Winterfell.
Photo: Tourism Ireland
Jon Snow raising his sword takes front and center, while on the outskirts you can see Arya at different stages in her journey to becoming a fearless assassin, Sansa standing tall and proud, and the horrific events of the Red Wedding.
Arya's journey. Photo: Tourism Ireland
Each Tuesday until the series concluded, a new Glass of Thrones was unveiled in Belfast. You can track their progress via the Glass of Thrones interactive website from Tourism Ireland.
The Glass Of Thrones installation is part of Tourism Ireland’s new campaign to showcase Northern Ireland as Game Of Thrones territory to millions of fans worldwide.
The strength of that relationship should not be underestimated. The series filmed at 49 locations in Northern Ireland, employed 12,986 extras from Northern Ireland over the years, and worked with 2,000 Northern Ireland crew members throughout the show's eight seasons.
Here's week two - shout out to the Lannisters!
Loving these fantastic and beautiful stained glass windows featuring Game of Thrones that are being erected in Belfast , each representing a family house from the show , 2 are up and another 4 to follow over next few weeks ❤ pic.twitter.com/bl1y56IHQK
— Gymkid (@D1bm11) April 23, 2019
And week three.
The latest stunning #glassofthrones stained glass window celebrating #GameOfThrones has been unveiled in Belfast (lovely pic by @spiritinspartan) pic.twitter.com/h0shTeXqOy
— Mark Henry (@Mark_J_Henry) May 1, 2019
Week four was for the Targeryans.
The 4th @GameOfThrones stained-glass window (#GlassOfThrones), for House Targaryen, has been revealed in Belfast
Any guesses where this could be?! #GamefThrones pic.twitter.com/8C0p1Xemxk
— Belfast Giants (@BelfastGiants) May 6, 2019
Week five chronicled the path of destruction and terror laid by the Night King, White Walkers, and wights.
Tourism Ireland unveils fifth Game Of Thrones stained glass window ‘White Walkers’ beside the SS Nomadic at Hamilton Dock ⚔️ #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/LN4oRNCfNl
— Downtown Radio (@downtownradio) May 17, 2019
And week six, arguably the coolest of all, honored the Iron Throne, complete with a seat for the ultimate photo op, in front of Titanic Belfast!
Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said the aim of the campaign was to highlight Northern Ireland to audiences across the world.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with HBO once again in 2019, to highlight Northern Ireland – through the exciting events of Game Of Thrones – on the global stage,” he said.
“This time, we’re taking Northern Ireland’s cultural and industrial heritage in stained glass and glass production and bringing it full circle – to celebrate Northern Ireland’s newest and biggest cultural export.
Littlefinger. Photo: Tourism Ireland
“We’re reminding people everywhere that Northern Ireland is Game Of Thrones territory and encouraging them to come and explore it for themselves.”
Have you seen any of the Game of Thrones stained glass windows? Share a photo with us on social media!
