Dark Hedges damaged by Storm Hector
- Published
Trees made famous by the TV fantasy drama Game of Thrones have been damaged in Storm Hector.
Gales of up to 60mph swept across Northern Ireland overnight on Wednesday and continued on Thursday.
A number of trees at the Dark Hedges, a tunnel of beech trees on the Bregagh Road near Armoy, lost branches during the turbulent weather.
The trees have become an an international tourist attraction since featuring in the hit series.
The Stuart family planted the trees more than 200 years ago along the entrance to their Gracehill House mansion.
About 150 were planted by James Stuart, but time has taken its toll over the centuries and now fewer than two thirds remain standing.
Last year, a traffic ban was implemented at the site to reduce man-made damage.
However, nature has also taken its toll - with two trees collapsing in 2016 during Storm Gertrude, and others losing branches due to rot.
The Dark Hedges became a huge draw for tourists and TV fans after they appeared, albeit very briefly, in the closing scene of one episode of Game of Thrones.
- Published19 April 2017
- Published27 July 2016