8 | NORTHERN IRELAND - Say Hello to More When Ross Mulhall and his family welcomed two Northern Inuit cubs into their home, they had no idea they would become an international success, starring in one of TV’s most popular series, Game of Thrones®. Here, Ross speaks to Clodagh Dooley about Odin and Thor’s casting as The Mulhall family with Odin and Thor direwolves, Summer and Grey Wind “I got to hang out with the likes of Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, and Kristofer yself and my brothers, Caelan and Hivju, who plays Tormund, during takes and at William, always wanted a dog when breakfast! My brothers were also in the ‘Battle we were younger and our friend’s of the Bastards’ episode and we were White aunt owned a Northern Inuit which Walkers in the last two episodes of the latest “Mwe loved,” says Ross. “The dog had pups and season [season 7]. We’re also booked in for the we went with our dad, William, to go and new season.” buy one but ended up buying two – Odin and Thor!” Hounded by fans As this breed of dog is rare, Ross explains However, Ross says that their parts in ‘GoT’ Odin and Thor they must be registered through the Northern have not overshadowed Odin and Thor’s - this Inuit Society online. When Game of Thrones® is only the beginning of the direwolves super- first came to Ireland, producers started a stardom. Soon after season one was finished, search for the breed and through the online Ross and his family began getting requests society, they spotted Odin and Thor. from people across Ireland and worldwide “Anytime that a TV show uses wolves, they to meet the two dogs, and so they started up use Northern Inuits because they are highly Kings in the North Direwolf Tours (www.direwolftours.com). intelligent, easy to train and wolf-like in their “They meet hundreds of people everyday!” appearance,” says Ross. “When ‘GoT’ producers take them to the ‘GoT’ studios and her own family and some friends had finished building says Ross. “The bus collects all visitors near saw we had this breed, they rang us asking if apartment in Belfast, which we agreed to. a boat called a skiff. After sharing photos of it Belfast and takes them to many of the show’s they could check them out, adding it was for a “We were able to visit them anytime we online, producers of ‘GoT’ were in touch with locations such as Tullymore Forest – where the new TV show filmed in Belfast about swords wanted and when we did, we saw all the other us again, without realising they had already direwolf pups were found and where the White and shields. We didn’t know how big the show Northern Intuits that were being trained too. cast our dogs and dad, William, in season one!” Walkers were first spotted. would get at this stage, but as soon as we heard “Odin and Thor were in season one as Robb “We thought it was great because the show “Then, after lunch you meet the direwolves, this, we invited them to our house!” Stark and Bran Stark’s direwolves, Summer was after getting huge,” Ross tells me. “So, we dress up in cloaks and have your picture taken and Grey Wind. In other seasons, the show took the boat up and they painted it to make with them. We also visit Castle Ward, the Casting call started using CGI (computer-generated image- it look more authentic. They needed someone original Winterfell. All of our guides have been The ‘GoT’ dog trainer visited the Mulhalls, who ry) to make the direwolves look bigger.” to operate the boat and teach the actors and extras in the show so they can give a first-hand live in the beautiful coastal village of Ardglass And, while Odin and Thor may have finished extras how to get in and out of it safely. experience of what it’s like to be on set. This in Co Down, and Odin and Thor were instantly filming with ‘GoT’ after season one, the rest of “I was later cast as a marine stuntman so way, people can feel closer to the show.” cast. the family were just getting started! I became a part of the cast and crew. I was And on that note, I’m off to watch the Game “She tried to train the dogs at our house but “My dad was cast as the Dothraki slave actually steering the boat in the episode ‘Lord of Thrones® episodes from season one again. because we only had them a few weeks, it was master in season one because he had long hair of Bones’, where the White Walkers attack the Although, visiting the sets in Northern Ireland, quite difficult as we kept playing with them,” and the big beard,” Ross tells me. “Then, just Wildling village, and Jon and Tormund fight and Odin and Thor, sounds like a better way to laughs Ross. “So, the trainer asked if she could as filming started for season five, myself, my them off before jumping in my boat to escape. fill in time before the new series starts! PLACES TO STAY A ferry well-kept secret On the southern end of the Ards Peninsula lies the quirky village of Portaferry, Co Strandford Lough Down. And, with a stay at the says Cahal. “We’ve kept it simple, re-painted local Portaferry Hotel, you’re it, refurbished it, and put in all brand-new king-sized beds. Wherever it needed quality, guaranteed to take in the we haven’t held back. We’ve received e-mails from happy guests and those commenting to breathtaking landscape of the ask where we got the beds. When people are sending good comments, you know you’re surrounding Strangford Lough heading in the right direction.” And, another reason why people may be coming back for more, is the hotel’s extensive, or 364 days a year, the Portafer- locally-sourced food menu. With fresh seafood ry-Strangford Ferry operates every 30 dishes including Portaferry Half Grilled Lob- Fminutes, bringing visitors from Portaferry ster, Bouilabaisse and Goan Monkfish Curry, to Strangford, idyllic villages situated in Co Portaferry Hotel along with other tasty dishes such as Arthurs’ Down less than a mile apart. It’s not the regu- Butchers Grilled Steak Burger with (or with- lar public transport source you may be used to Mary, says that although Portaferry is a remote family-owned businesses, Dumigans Bar, out) Local Cheddar and Crispy Onions, there such as a train or bus, but this is what makes area, the village is thriving with attractions. arguably Ireland’s smallest bar, is like stepping truly is something to satisfy everyone’s tastes spending time away in Portaferry so unique. “It is home to Northern Ireland’s only back in time. It’s one of those places where you in Portaferry. “Anyone travelling to Portaferry from the aquarium, Exploris, and for golf lovers, there’s easily interact with people, there’s no distrac- The hotel also regularly holds a variety Republic of Ireland should come via Newry Kirkistown Castle GC link course which opens tions such as big TVs. of events including Afternoons of Gin, wine to Strangford,” says Cahal Arthurs, owner of all year long. Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit “That’s exactly what we try to encourage tasting classes, a book club and day trips to The Portaferry Hotel. “The ferry sails every 30 is also nearby. We are close to National Trust in our hotel too. If there’s a couple here from Downpatrick Races. Whether it’s kayaking or minutes from Strangford – between 8am and properties, Mount Stewart and Castle Ward, Leitrim, we’ll introduce them to the couple canoeing for the more adventurous, walking 10.30pm – and crossing over only takes ap- which is the filming location for ‘The Home that travelled from Cork. It’s good to meet new along the stunning shore or a relaxing coffee proximately 10 minutes. When you get off the of The North’ in TV series Game of Thrones®, people.” overlooking the water for those who want to boat, you’re right at the front door of our hotel. with two doors from the Dark Hedges also This is one of the other main reasons why wind down, consider a trip across the Lough “There’s also a driving route to get to Porta- within walking distance from the hotel. Down- The Portaferry Hotel, which was listed as one to Portaferry. ferry, but arriving by water is a huge attraction patrick Race Course is also close by, just to of the top five hotels in Northern Ireland by for visitors,” says Cahal. “The view is stunning, name a few attractions.” Ulster Tatler, has already seen repeat bookings For more information or to book a stay at so you can take plenty of pictures from the top It’s clear that Cahal and Mary are extremely in a little over a year. With just 14 charming of the ferry, and prices are cheap too – a car passionate about the locality, and Portaferry is and spacious bedrooms, the hotel creates a The Portaferry Hotel, costs approximately £6.” an area which has not lost its old-town charm sense of intimacy. visit www.portaferryhotel.com Cahal, who refurbished and re-opened The throughout the years. “The hotel dates back to the 1700s and we’ve Portaferry Hotel back in 2016 with his wife “It’s a laid-back village – with lots of small been lucky to help raise it from the ashes,” or call +0044 28 42 72 8231.