Game of Thrones could inspire China Ireland flight

There could soon be a direct flight between China and Ireland - and one of the key driving forces behind the route is apparently Ireland's many famous film sights.

County Antrim in Northern Ireland has become well known internationally due to Game of Thrones. [Photo: sina.com.cn]

That's according to a report in the Irish Independent, who claim that a route between Beijing and Dublin will be announced shortly.

The newspaper also proposes that Hainan Airlines could be a likely operator of the flight.

As for the film connection - well, Ireland, together with Northern Ireland, are home to countless locations that have been made famous through exposure in internationally famous films and TV series.

For example, when it comes to Game of Thrones alone, the Irish tourist board names many scenes and settings. It describes one of the most famous as follows:

''Nature was definitely smiling on HBO’s location scouts when they found the Dark Hedges, a haunting avenue of serpentine beech trees near Armoy, County Antrim.

It became the Kingsroad, where Arya disguised herself as a boy to avoid capture. But captured she was, and dragged to the Brotherhood without Banners’ hideout, otherwise known to us as Pollnagollum Cave in County Fermanagh. Part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, it's an extensive maze of underground passages that attracts explorers from distant lands.''

Of course, film locations are far from the only reason that Chinese and Irish people might want to travel directly between their two countries.

As we've reported extensively over the last few months, there are fast expanding cultural and trade connections between China and Ireland.

For example, in March we revealed that Irish beef is set to be promoted in China thanks to a multi-million pound investment from the European Union and the Irish Food Board.

Bord Bia - as the Irish Food Board is officially known - recognised that the growing demand for quality meat amongst Chinese consumers made the country an excellent market for potential growth.

With that in mind, it will spend €3.75 million over three years on promoting Irish beef and lamb across Asia, but with a particular focus on China from its regional headquarters in Shanghai.