Locals incensed over alteration of famous Game of Thrones landmark

The Dark Hedges can’t seem to catch a break lately. The famous Northern Irish landmark consists of several centuries-old beech trees overhanging the Bregagh Road near Armoy in County Antrim. In addition to being a tourist attraction it their own right, the Dark Hedges got more exposure after they were featured on Game of Thrones, most notably when they stood in for the Kingsroad as Arya and Gendry fled King’s Landing in Season 2.

A couple of weeks ago, Storm Gertrude ripped two of the 200-year-old beech trees out of the ground and damaged a third. Understandably, people were upset, but they couldn’t blame anything but the weather. Now, something else has happened, and this time angry citizens have a target. BBC News reports that a contractor mistakenly painted white lines on the road underneath the trees. Those who value the aesthetic value of the landmark are none too pleased. “I first saw the picture on Facebook – so I drove over to see it for myself on Sunday,” said Heather Morrison of the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust. “When I saw the white lines I nearly died.”

Photo: Bob McCallion

Amateur photographer Bob McCallion called the white lines a “travesty.” Happily, the Department for Regional Development (DRD) has admitted today that the white lines were drawn in error and said they would be removed by tomorrow.

"The white lining will be burned off by the contractor. Whilst there is the potential for some residual marking to the carriageway as a result of the removal, we are confident that, given the time of year and the number of vehicles using the Bregagh Road that any such marks will disappear soon. DRD will continue to monitor the condition of the surface over the coming weeks, and will take further action to repair the road if necessary."

There have probably been more visitors using the Bregagh Road of late than there used to be, since the Dark Hedges’ presence on Game of Thrones has funneled a lot of tourists to the area. McCallion, who has been photographing the trees for 20 years, thinks the authorities should take more steps to preserve the landmark. “If you go there for the first time, you think they’re still brilliant and they are,” he said. “But if you have been following them [over time], you will see the deterioration in those trees. It’s not Game of Thrones’ fault, it’s the lack of strategy or facilities to cope with those visitors.”

Hopefully, the DRD will remedy this situation and put safeguards in place to keep it from happening again. I think the Dark Hedges have earned a bit of a break.