Going To Ireland In 2020? Here's What You Need To Know Before You Go

Ireland is more than an "Emerald Isle." It's an isle filled with cultural and historic wonders … and lately with lots of tourists, too. And at many of its top sights, reservations are now either required or highly recommended. 

In Dublin, it's more important than ever to buy advance tickets for the most popular sights. These include Kilmainham Gaol, a museum housed in a former prison for political prisoners (visits are by guided tour only), and the Guinness Storehouse, birthplace of Ireland's famous stout beer. If you don't book in advance, you'll waste time waiting in long ticket lines and may not even get in.

It's also smart to buy timed-entry tickets in advance for the Book of Kells, the 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, displayed at the Trinity College library. Without a reservation, visitors can try the side entry (through the Arts Building on Nassau Street), where it's often easy to book tickets – even same day, if available – from ticket machines in the lobby hallway.

One of Dublin's newest museums, 14 Henrietta Street, is also one of the city's best sightseeing stops. The former townhouse offers a fascinating look at the hardships of Dublin tenement life. Once an affluent Georgian mansion, it was subdivided and converted in the 19th century into a cramped multifamily space housing more than 100 people. On a 75-minute tour, guides share stories of former residents and describe the 150-year decline of this aristocratic townhouse into a tenement.

A new, modern visitors center has opened at Brú na Bóinne, the site of two 5,000-year-old passage tombs 45 minutes north of Dublin. Exhibits detail the latest discoveries at the site, while high-tech interactive displays transport visitors to prehistoric times. From the center, shuttles make it easy to reach the tombs – Newgrange and Knowth – which can be accessed only via guided tour. Tours are expected to fill up well in advance, but as of this March you can reserve a spot online ahead of time.

Popular stops around Ireland are coming up with creative ways to grapple with crowds. The Cliffs of Moher – the majestic sheer cliffs on Ireland's west coast – now cleverly offer half-price tickets (€4) online for visits before 11 am and after 4 pm. Smart travelers are wise to visit at these times not just because it's a little cheaper, but because lighter crowds make for a more tranquil experience at the cliffs. Tickets include parking and admission to the visitors center and its exhibit, which focuses on the cliffs' natural and geological history. 

South of Dublin, in County Wicklow, Avondale House – the former residence of Irish political leader Charles Parnell – has closed for a long-term renovation. A reopening date has not yet been announced. In the southern port town of Kinsale, Desmond Castle is also closed to visitors for an indefinite period of time. 

Residents of Northern Ireland are wrestling with the effects of an impending Brexit. But tourists aren't likely to experience any significant impacts: In 2020, I expect a visit to Northern Ireland to be just as easy as ever, and probably even more interesting.

Traveling to the UK post-Brexit?   Here's what you need to know before you go

Planning is needed to visit a few popular sights near the town of Portrush, on the northern coast. To walk across Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, dramatically suspended above the Antrim Coast, it's smart to buy timed-entry tickets ahead of your visit (now available online). To tour the Old Bushmills whiskey distillery, travelers should show up early, as groups are limited to 18 people and spots are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

In Northern Ireland's capital of Belfast, the "Glider" buses, the city's new form of hybrid-powered rapid transit, have proved popular after a little more than a year of being fully up and running. These 105-person buses, connecting east and west Belfast on one line and the city center and Titanic Quarter on another, are particularly handy for travelers who want to get from the City Hall area out to the Titanic sights, including the excellent Titanic Belfast museum.

Although the series has ended, Game of Thrones lives on in Northern Ireland, where much of the show was filmed. In the town of Banbridge, 30 minutes from Belfast, a "Game of Thrones" studio tour – featuring actual sets, costumes, and props from the show – is slated to open later this year at Linen Mill Studios, one of the show's main production sites. Belfast itself celebrates its connection to the show with six free-standing stained-glass windows sprinkled around town. Each window represents a main house or family in the show (one for each episode of the final season).

Ireland is famously welcoming. But for the well-prepared traveler (who visits equipped with good information and the necessary reservations), that welcome will feel even warmer. May your guidebook be well used and the wind always at your back.

Source: Rick Steves

Special to USA TODAY 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/advice/2020/02/19/ireland-2020-guide-what-you-need-know-before-you-go/4793752002/

New Game Of Thrones Legacy Attractions Announced, Filming Locations From The Hit HBO Series Are To Open As Tourist Attractions In Northern Ireland In 2020

As Game of Thrones finishes filming after a decade in Northern Ireland, TV network HBO has revealed that it will create a major boost to the show’s legacy by converting several filming locations into tourist attractions in the region.

For the first time, fans of the Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning series will have the unique opportunity to visit iconic sets from the show and immerse themselves in the world of Westeros.

Building on the success of past Game of Thrones live branded experiences, including the Touring Exhibition and Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience, HBO will open up the archives and share them with the series’ loyal fans.

In true Game of Thrones fashion, the attractions will be on a scale and scope bigger than anything the public has ever seen, offering the first opportunity for fans to set foot inside some of the most iconic locations from the series and see how the world’s biggest TV show was made.

Each site will feature not only the breathtaking sets, but will also exhibit displays of costumes, props, weapons, set decorations, art files, models, and other production materials. The visitor experience will be enhanced by state-of-the-art digital content and interactive materials which will showcase some of the digital wizardry the series is known for.

“HBO is thrilled to celebrate the work of the Game of Thrones creative team and crew by preserving these locations and inviting fans to visit Northern Ireland and explore Westeros in person,” said Jeff Peters, Vice President, Licensing and Retail, HBO.

“We look forward to opening the gates and sharing the excitement of stepping inside these amazing sets with Game of Thrones fans from around the world. The opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland’s pivotal role in the life and legacy of the show and share its culture, beauty and warmth is also a huge inspiration behind these legacy projects.”

Given the unique and impressive nature of the production work in Northern Ireland, HBO is 

 considering including the standing sets for iconic locations such as Winterfell, Castle Black, and Kings Landing alongside a formal studio tour of Linen Mill Studios, which will showcase a wide array of subject matter from the series and span all seasons and settings. 

While fans have already come to Northern Ireland in their thousands to experience the stunning landscapes, coastlines and mountains in the series, they will now be able to immerse themselves more fully in the world of Westeros through the new attractions.

A description of the full scope of the Game of Thrones Legacy project will be revealed at a later date after an exploratory process is completed.

www.ireland.com

Game Of Thrones Studio Tour To Open In Spring 2020 At The Linen Mill Studios In Bainbridge, Northern Ireland

Inspired by the renowned  HBO® series the studio tour will open Westeros to everyone in Spring 2020 at the Linen Mill Studios, Bainbridge, Northern Ireland Showcasing authentic sets, costumes and props from all seasons of the hit series, including the upcoming eighth and final season, this engaging, enchanting tour will allow fans to truly step inside the world of Westeros and beyond. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, comprising the breathtaking imagery, captivating sets, original props and costumes, and other behind-the-scenes items from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, will drop fans in the very heart of the Seven Kingdoms. Guests will be treated to an up-close and personal look at a wide selection of items pulled straight from the screen and have the opportunity to walk through authentic set pieces from some of the show’s most iconic scenes. In collaboration with HBO Licensing & Retail, Linen Mill Studios are designing and building the new 110,000-square-foot interactive experience and will open its gates for visitors in Spring 2020. It is the first in a series of Game of Thrones Legacy projects announced by HBO last year. Located within Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland—the original filming location used for many iconic scenes throughout the run of the series—the tour will bring visitors face-to-face with original set pieces, costumes, props, and weapons used to create the worlds of Westeros and Essos. Featuring a compelling mix of behind-the scenes insights, interactive elements, and expansive, fully dressed sets, visitors will wander in the very footsteps of Westeros’s most prominent residents, re-living key moments from the series and standing right where they took place. In anticipation of the tour’s opening in Spring 2020, a world-class creative team are working closely with Linen Mill Studios and HBO to bring the dynamic environments of both Westeros and Essos to life in a new format. The deeply immersive and sensory experience will evoke the show’s magnificence from King’s Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall and the lands beyond, to kingdoms across the Narrow Sea like Mereen and Braavos. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour will allow fans from around the world to experience the craftsmanship and artistry of the Game of Thrones production team as part of the largest authentic public display of Game Of Thrones artifacts in the world. The Studio Tour will also feature a first-of-its-kind collection of informative displays highlighting the production spaces and the craftsmanship and artistry of the creative teams who brought the epic series to life. Information about Production Design and the Art Department workshops will enhance the visitor experience along with an interactive Costume Department station, displays about the Make-up and Prosthetics Shop, The Armoury, and others. “It is our sincere pleasure to announce the first attraction from the Game of Thrones Legacy project in Northern Ireland. Some of the most iconic scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed at Linen Mill Studios and our fans will soon have an opportunity to visit and see the work of the show’s incredible crew in the museum setting it deserves,” said Jeff Peters, vice president, licensing & retail, HBO.  "Linen Mill Studios is thrilled, in partnership with HBO, to have this opportunity to offer fans a unique insight into the making of the Game of Thrones series in the authentic setting of one of its foremost filming locations. We are committed to giving fans the opportunity to experience firsthand the most comprehensive selection of iconic elements from the show available anywhere in the world,” said Andrew Webb, Managing Director, Linen Mill Studios. “Northern Ireland is very proud to host the epic adventure that is the production of Game of Thrones. Almost from the start fans of the show from near and far along with those that are just culturally curious have sought out and enjoyed visiting the public locations featured in the show. It's now really exciting that Linen Mill Studios, one of the film studios used by Game of Thrones from the start, is soon to become open to the public as a Game of Thrones visitor experience. It is brilliant that this visitor experience is being built and developed on top of the genuine film studio where many of the most iconic Game of Thrones scenes were filmed,” said Richard Williams, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Screen. “We very much welcome this exciting announcement. Game of Thrones has transformed Northern Ireland into a leading international screen tourism destination, bringing many more visitors and fans of the show to Northern Ireland to explore the stunning landscapes, coastlines and mountains showcased in the series. The new attraction will also allow visitors to see the authentic sets and costumes and learn how Game of Thrones was made. The Studio Tour location at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, midway between Belfast and Dublin, can be easily reached by the 11 million people who visit the Island of Ireland each year as well as providing even more reasons for international tourists to visit. I commend both Linen Mill Studios in recognising the increasing opportunity in screen tourism here and HBO’s commitment to Northern Ireland as the ‘Home of Thrones’. I have no doubt this investment will deliver a world-class visitor experience,” said John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI. About HBO Licensing & Retail HBO Licensing & Retail, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., partners with best-in-class licensees around the world to give HBO's global audience new and exciting ways to engage with their favorite shows. The division leverages iconic, award-winning HBO programs such as Game of Thrones, VEEP, Sex and the City, Silicon Valley, Insecure, The Sopranos, Big Little Lies, True Blood and more to create officially licensed consumer products, innovative merchandise programs, retail activations and live immersive experiences. HBO Licensing & Retail works across a broad range of product categories, including collectibles, apparel, publishing, live branded experiences, digital gaming, fashion and beauty collaborations, luxury accessories, and beyond. Officially licensed HBO merchandise can be purchased in retail stores around the world, online in the US at http://store.hbo.com, and at the HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City. About Linen Mill Studios Located in Banbridge, Co Down, Linen Mill Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of John Hogg & Co, a family business from Northern Ireland that has operated successfully since the 1800s. From 1832 to 2008 the Linen Mill site in Banbridge was used solely for linen production. Following a significant decline in the local linen industry in 2008, the long association with HBO began. Over the following years, culminating in the filming of the final 8th season in 2018, a third of the 75% of Game of Thrones filmed in Northern Ireland was shot at the Linen Mill Studios. Preparing to open its doors in Spring 2020, the Linen Mill Studios Game of Thrones Studio Tour is the latest chapter in the Linen Mill story, which in itself is tale of successful adaptation and industrial regeneration. www.linenmillstudios.com

South Africa Lion Park Death: Tourist Killed On Safari Was Emmy Award Winning Game Of Thrones Editor

Katherine Chappell was in the country raising money for charity at the time of the tragedy in Johannesburg - she had also worked on one of the smash hit Marvel blockbusters.

The American tourist who was mauled to death by a lion on a South African safari has been identified as an Emmy award winning film editor who worked on Game of Thrones.

Katherine Chappell was in Africa raising money for a charity that protects animals from poachers when she was killed.

She died on Monday afternoon as she was driven through The Lion Park near Johannesburg by a tour guide.

After winding her window down to take pictures a lioness lunged at the 29-year-old mauling her to death.

Instagram

Tragic Death: Katherine Chappell was in South Africa raising money for an animal charity when she was killed

Katherine’s family have now made a moving tribute to her online.

Writing on Facebook her mother Mary, father Jon and sisters Jennifer and Lauren and brother Ryan described her as “a brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited woman.”

They added she "was very much loved and shared her love for life with those she met.

“We cannot thank everyone enough for the kind words and support. It means the world to us during this difficult time.“

Instagram

Famous Friend: Katherine is pictured here with actor and comedian Stephen Fry

Her family will now hold a memorial service in her hometown of Rye, New York, on Saturday.

Katherine, known as Katie to her friends, had been living in Vancouver since 2013 where she worked as a visual effects editor for production company Scanline.

Instagram

Sad Loss: Katherine was mauled to death by a lion on a charity trip

While working as a film editor she helped created effects for the hit series "Game of Thrones" and the movies "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and "Divergence."

Further details of Katherine’s death emerged as her tour guide Pierre Potgieter, 66, told how he had suffered a heart attack as he battled fight off the lion and save her life.

Greatstock / Barcroft Media

Lion Safari: This is the vehicle the American tourist was believed to be riding in at the time of the attack

Speaking from his hospital bed he also refuted claims by the owners of the park he flouted rules which put Katherine’s life in danger by driving with the windows open.

“That’s not right, not right at all,” he said. “If that’s what they're saying, that’s not the case. Not at all."

Asked to describe the attack which killed Katherine, he replied, ‘It wasn’t good, dreadful. I’m still in a shock and daze about it.”

A statement from his wife, Corlien Potgieter, on behalf of their business Kalabash Tours, said Katherine opened the window “of her own accord” and at the last moment.

Greatstock / Barcroft Media

Shocking Incident: The lion reportedly lunged at Katherine when she wound down the window to take pictures

Providing more details of the attack she said: “The tourist had a camera and, of her own accord, rolled down the passenger window in order to take photographs.

“A lion then attacked the tourist through the open window. Mr Potgieter tried to fend the lioness off and in the process sustained injuries to his arm.

"When the lion retreated, the guide saw that the tourist had sustained extremely serious injuries. She was bleeding profusely from her neck.

"Under the circumstances Mr Potgieter tried his best to stop the bleeding and save her life. He applied constant pressure to stop the bleeding, while calling for help.”

Greatstock / Barcroft Media

Window Warning: People driving through the lion park are warned not to open their windows

The statement also accused Lion Park staff of not doing enough to try to save Katherine who was bleeding heavily from the neck.

The company said employees rushed to pull the lioness off the young woman and carried out CPR adding paramedics who attended the scene but could do nothing to save her.

However the Potgieters said the first member of staff on the scene was "reluctant" to help him apply pressure to Miss Chappell's neck wound, leaving the tour guide to continue to battle to save her life.

Travel Through Europe Like A VIP With Private 'Insiders' Access To Important Sites

Tour the Vatican without the crowds or step beyond the velvet ropes of Versailles and into secret rooms with Viator.com’s exclusive and VIP tours across and Europe.

Thanks to long-standing partnerships with the best tour operators around the world, Viator has a collection of travel experiences that you can’t book anywhere else. That feature, typically-reserved-for-the-rich-and-famous offers exclusive benefits like unprecedented access to private and off-limit areas, after hours’ private tours of iconic attractions and the ability to skip lines.

Here are the top picks for VIP and Exclusive tours across Europe.

Viator VIP

Sistine Chapel private viewing of the Vatican’s secret rooms

The tour (exclusive to Viator) includes access through a reserved entrance, a rare private tour of the Sistine Chapel after it has closed to the public (with guide commentary – normally forbidden) and a visit to hidden corridors and secret rooms that are usually closed to the public like the Niccoline Chapel or the Bramante Staircase.

Viator VIP

Palace of Versailles small group tour

This VIP tour includes a private viewing of the palace’s Royal Quarters, priority entrance through a reserved door, access to off-limits private rooms like Louis XVI’s library, and first entry to the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors.

Viator VIP

Moulin Rouge Show with exclusive seating and 3-course dinner

The VIP experience delivers the ultimate night out in Paris with VIP seating in a private balcony providing the best views in the house, along with skip-the-line entry, a fabulous 3-course Parisian dinner complete with Champagne and wine.

Viator Exclusive

Game of Thrones private walking tours in Malta and Dubrovnik

The two tours (both exclusive to Viator) offer unprecedented access to the landmarks and locations used in the filming of the popular HBO series. The walking tours come complete with insider gossip from the set and expert commentary on the locations.

All of Viator’s VIP tours can be booked online at www.viator.com or via the Viator Tours and Activities App.