Storm Isha brings down Dark Hedges trees made famous in Game Of Thrones
The Dark Hedges attracts tourists to the site in Northern Ireland after featuring on TV series Game Of Thrones. When strong winds battered the country during Storm Isha, some of the trees were damaged and blown down.
Monday 22 January 2024 17:32, UK
Several trees made famous by TV series Game Of Thrones have been damaged and felled by Storm Isha in Northern Ireland.
It's believed three trees have been blown down at the Dark Hedges site, with others damaged as tens of thousands were left without power across the country.
The tunnel of trees featured in the HBO fantasy series and is now a tourist attraction, with significant numbers of visitors flocking to the site in Co Antrim.
"We have had people out since dawn trying to clear the road," said Mervyn Storey, chairman of the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust.
"There are a number of other trees down in the area as well. The Dark Hedges road is closed while the work continues."
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He described it as "another blow" to the site and said one of the trees blown down was "healthy", according to the group's survey last year.
Work was carried out to remove six of the Dark Hedges trees last year and remedial work on several others, after surveys highlighted safety issues.
Concerns have been raised about the state of several of the ancient beech trees for a number of years.
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The Department for Infrastructure said an independent specialist survey found 11 trees out of 86 were in a poor condition and could pose a potential risk.
A number of trees - first planted to line Bregagh Road to Gracehill House, which was built in around 1775 - were then removed.
Originally, there were about 150 trees.