Overview
Magheramorne sits on the shore of Larne Lough, about three miles south of Larne in County Antrim, with a population of just over 200. There is no high street to speak of and no ticketed attraction. What brings people here is the abandoned limestone quarry that played the Wall in Game of Thrones, and a restored 19th-century country house that opens its doors only for booked events. Treat it as a short stop rather than a day out, ideally folded into a run along the Antrim Coast and Glens.
The quarry and Game of Thrones
The pit is the former Blue Circle (later Lafarge) limestone quarry, which worked from the 19th century until 1980 to feed the cement works next door. The sheer limestone faces and the flooded basin left behind became one of Northern Ireland’s busiest film sets.
The quarry stood in for Castle Black, Hardhome and the defences of King’s Landing during the Battle of Blackwater Bay. Crews built a working set into the quarry’s natural contours, including a real lift that carried actors to the top of a 400-foot cliff, and painted the surrounding rock faces white to pass as the ice of the Wall. George R. R. Martin visited during production and called the place ‘spectacular, yet miserable’ for its damp and chill, which was rather the point for a story set at the end of the world.
You cannot go in. The quarry is private property and the old industrial structures are crumbling, so the white-painted faces and the remains of the set can only be seen and photographed from the public roads and footpaths that look down into the basin.
Magheramorne Estate and seasonal dining
Set in 40 acres of coastal woodland, Magheramorne Estate is a four-star private-hire venue in a restored 19th-century country house with 35 bedrooms. It is not open for casual touring, but it runs public dining events through the year that let you see the conservatory, ballroom and gardens.
The draw is the seasonal afternoon teas and Sunday carveries, both of which book up well ahead. Recent offerings have included:
- Wildflower afternoon tea: floral-infused pastries and finger sandwiches in the conservatory.
- Strawberries and cream afternoon tea: a summer fixture built around local strawberries.
- Sunday carvery: a roast dinner, often with seasonal specials and live music.
Prices start from £39.95 a head for teas and £45 for carveries. In November the estate runs a festive fair with local makers and suppliers. Every dining event needs advance booking through the estate website. Guide dogs and well-behaved pets are allowed in designated areas.
History and notable figures
The name comes from the Irish Machaire Morna, ‘plain of Morna’. The limestone industry shaped the place, employing dozens of local workers at its peak, and a 19th-century mission church built to serve them grew into the village’s Presbyterian congregation.
Two figures stand out. Saint Comgall, who founded Bangor Abbey in the 6th century, was born here. Hugh Nelson (1830–1893) left for Canada and rose to become Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The village keeps a strong community life through the Magheramorne Silver Band, going since 1882, the local Loyal Orders, and Newington Rangers football club, who play in the Northern Amateur Football League.
Getting there and practical information
The A8 coastal route runs straight past the village, linking it to Larne to the north and Belfast to the south. Magheramorne railway station opened in 1862 and still runs, with direct services between Belfast and Larne – a handy stop if you are also catching the Larne ferry.
- Quarry access: the quarry and cement works are strictly private. Viewing and photography are only possible from public roads and footpaths.
- Estate access: the grounds are private. Entry is limited to booked dining events and festivals. Contact events@magheramorneestate.com or call (028) 9538 0895 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm).
- Nearby: the coastal walk to Oldfleet Castle, the Gleno waterfall trail and the harbour town of Larne are all within three miles.
If you mean to photograph the quarry from the roadside, come early at weekends – there is no car park, and the verges along the A8 fill up fast.