Frothy waves crash over vehicles along Northern Ireland’s dramatic Causeway Coast under a stormy sky, setting a chilling tone for a visit to Carnlough, a quaint harbor village in County Antrim.
Arrival Amid Eerie Vibes
This unassuming spot boasts a rich history, winding glens, and a starring role in major productions like Game of Thrones. It now features prominently in Netflix’s dark comedy thriller How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (HTGTHFB), created by Lisa McGee. The Harbourview Hotel, once known as the Londonderry Arms, transforms into a rundown motel that launches the story’s murder mystery road trip.
The series follows longtime friends Dara, Saoirse, and Robyn, drawn to Donegal for the wake of their estranged schoolmate Greta, who shares a buried secret with them. They soon discover the funeral is a hoax, sparking a quirky ghost hunt that unearths past truths.
Strange Coincidences During the Stay
Visitors arrive to find themselves behind a wake procession heading to the Harbourview Hotel, mirroring the show’s plot. Dinner brings tales of a husband who fell down stairs, and breakfast features a ghostly coffee art design amid ghost stories.
Rich History of the Harbourview Hotel
Founded by the Marchioness of Londonderry and once owned by Winston Churchill, the hotel has evolved into Ireland’s first whiskey hotel. Its reception desk, manned by Ardal O’Hanlon’s eccentric character, remains recognizable despite renovations. The owner insists no ghosts haunt the corridors, though mysterious noises at dawn raise doubts. Nearby, Ballygally Castle hosts the spirit of Lady Isobel, locked away by her husband and said to leap from a turret.
Creators on Ireland’s Supernatural Allure
Lisa McGee highlights Ireland’s unique storytelling tradition: “There’s something about Irish storytelling where the gap between this world and the next—there’s a healthy respect for the stuff we don’t know about—the afterlife and magic and all the fairy tree myths—which I think is kind of unique. I think we are a very superstitious place, even though we pretend we aren’t anymore. I think that kind of belief that ghosts aren’t real…but they might be.”
Location scout Richard Glenholmes describes the vision: “[Lisa] said: ‘Think of Twin Peaks, Fargo, Psycho,’” noting the team’s success in making the hotel look rundown. He adds that the Irish tourism board owes them for showcasing the stunning landscapes.
Sinead Keenan, who plays Robyn, reflects on the scenery: “When you come from an area or country, I feel like one never fully appreciates it. It’s only when you move out of it and come back, you go ‘gosh, this is actually quite good.’ My god, the locations and some of the scenery was extraordinary. Michael and the whole team made it look amazing as well. We were always joking the Irish tourism board should be forking out some money for the job we’ve done for them, because it just looks stunning.”
Northern Ireland’s Filming Legacy
The road trip traverses Ireland’s rugged beauty, from urban areas to vistas in minutes. The Glens of Antrim offer rolling mountains, fierce winds, and rain that amplifies the drama. Game of Thrones filmed extensively here, including Arya’s flight scene nearby and Glenarm Castle’s grounds for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Locals boast connections to major shows; taxi drivers share crash tales and family ties to stars like Lena Headey. Richard Glenholmes notes HTGTHFB signals a shift: no police tape or army jeeps, unlike Derry Girls. McGee crafts distinct adult characters, hinting at darker future works.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast streams on Netflix now, spotlighting Northern Ireland’s evolving screen legacy.
