Dark Hedges: Game of Thrones alley under threat

Dark Hedges en Irlande du Nord - © Christopher Tait

Over the past 10 years, the site has become an icon for fans of the Iron Throne series. Dark Hedges, a winding avenue of trees in Northern Ireland, was used as a location for the show, contributing to its unique atmosphere. Unfortunately, the alley, now ultra-touristy, is said to be in turmoil. Specialists believe that many trees are currently affected by the disease… which could lead to them being felled…

A situation linked to poor maintenance and over-tourism of the driveway

Eleven trees could disappear from the driveway

Ballimoney, a small village in Northern Ireland, is home to the famous Dark Hedges, an atypical avenue of trees with a darkly romantic charm. Created in 1775 to link the Bregagh road to Gracehill House, it was originally made up of 150 trees.

Today, however, there are only 86 trees left in the alley… and 11 of them are threatened with felling.

A direct consequence of the over-tourism caused by the Game of Thrones series. From the very first images of the show, the excitement was such that thousands of travelers flocked to admire the site.

Unfortunately, this influx of visitors has seriously weakened the site. Because of their great age, these beech trees are more easily exposed to pollution and disease. Their lack of maintenance, coupled with local tourism, has pushed back the limit of their maturity. As a result, branches break, roots are less solid, and the risk of an incident now seems real.

Members of “Save The Dark Hedges” have sounded the alarm, explaining that the site is no longer as safe as it once was. For them, the risk of falling branches is real. It could present a real danger to tourists.

What’s more, the condition of the trees is becoming increasingly worrying, and some of them could be uprooted by a storm, as was the case with storm Arwen in 2021.

This raises the question of felling eleven trees in the alley… However, the issue has not yet been fully resolved: it is imperative to obtain the approval of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, as these trees are protected by local ordinances.

However, the site remains open to travelers for the time being. Nevertheless, we recommend that you take great care when passing under the trees: avoid stormy days and remain vigilant. Last but not least, respect for the site is essential for its long-term preservation.