Game of Thrones museum hope for Larne courthouse

Ballygally resident Andy King founded The Larne Renovation Generation social media page in order to promote and revitalise the Larne area’s built heritage.

He believes that the abandoned courthouse building on Victoria Road, which closed in April 2013, would be an ideal venue to capitalise on the local area’s links with the blockbuster fantasy television show.

Andy, who works as a Behavioural Support Assistant at Ballyclare Secondary School, told the Times: “There is not much in the town centre to bring people into Larne itself, we need something big, an attraction.

“Game of Thrones is the biggest show around at the minute and Larne is probably the town which is most associated with Game of Thronces due to filming in this area.

“The courthouse is a very nice building and it is just sitting empty.

“I think it would be an opportunity for tourism and the local council should be more creative with its ideas, and when people put ideas like this to them they should listen carefully.”

Two weeks ago, Game of Thrones starr Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, was pictured filming in Carnlough Harbour, while filming also took place with 400 extras on Sallagh Brae. Last week, the Times revealed a picture of the set by local snapper Bill Guiller.

There have also been calls for the Game of Thrones set at Magheramorne Quarry, which doubles as The Wall, Castle Black and the Wildling village of Hardhome in the HBO-produced series, to be left in place as a tourist attraction when filming wraps.

“A lot of people from the Larne area work for Game of Thrones and they could help us source exhibits such as armour and costumes,” said Andy.

“We also have Steensons who made jewellery for the show in the town and perhaps we could get wax figures, mock sword fights for kids and pictures of scenic places around the coast where the show has been filmed.

“If the exhibition was good enough it could make money to pay employees, and if we had both the set at Magheramorne Quarry left and a museum then Larne would become the go-to site for Game of Thrones destination tourism.”