#emerald garrison

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Taken a couple of weeks ago at the Fantastic Beasts Release at the Odeon, Belfast

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A week later and still finding good photos of my Newt Scamander

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I’ve rarely met a nicer group of nerds and dorks

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On a rather cold weekend the folks from Emerald Garrison braved January Weather to put on A Wizarding Weekend and transport everyone to JK Rowling’s wonderous world of Harry Potter and to the iconic wizarding school, Hogwarts.

Over the weekend of January 13/14, Carrickfergus Castle was transformed into Hogwarts and was the Mecca for those two days for all those who adore anything Harry Potter. There were four ticketed sessions overall, two each day.

The queue waiting to get in.

I went with my kids on the Sunday and by all accounts the Saturday was a real learning curve. Due to this being the first Wizarding Weekend in the Castle, the staff of the Department of Communities were a bit overwhelmed by the popularity of Harry Potter. Long queues and really cold wind whipping rain around everyone meant those caught in queues outside were not going to be happy.

A real pity but it you can’t change the weather. From what I was told the Emerald Garrison and wizardly friends pulled out all the stops to do their best to make sure as many people got round the different exhibits and activities staying on well into the evening for the punters.

People should keep in mind all the costumed characters are not paid a penny – they do it for the love of it all. So fair play to them, and it must have broke their hearts to see what attendees were going through.

When we went on the Sunday for the afternoon session it was cold and windy but the weather had abated somewhat so it was at least dry. Hey, its January! The queue was already long and we arrived about 1.45 for the 2pm kick off. Some of the characters worked the line to keep the spirits up, if you can call being abused by Professor Snape keeping up your spirits! (the outfit was superb and the girls loved the interaction)

Once in through the gates staff and characters were on hand to try split the ensuing Potterheads directing them to different areas to ensure queuing for the activities was kept to a minimum. Which was a feat in itself. The first place we visited was the fantastic World of Owls exhibit, overseen by the Master of Owls Mike Gibb. I’ve known Mike for a while but this was the first time I saw him in action. He was absolutely amazing and was duly aided by a couple of Hogwart students, resplendent in their uniforms. He had a number of owls on display including Harley, the first owl to appear in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, delivering that very special letter to Harry himself. If you ever get a chance do go visit World of Owls or you can arrange to have them come to you for events. They can also follow them on Facebook Page and Twitter

World of Owls http://www.worldofowls.com/

World of Owls http://www.worldofowls.com/

Photo by Mike Gibb http://www.worldofowls.com/

Next on the list was visiting a little piece of Azkaban where we met the (thankfully) chained Bellatrix and was overseen by a very studious guard. You got to take a picture alongside her once you Stupefied her (for obvious reasons – we didn’t want any biting incidents. Think of the paperwork!!) Harry even popped in to make sure the chains were holding. Once we were about to leave, none other than Death Eaters appeared, no doubt hoping to release Bellatrix, but to no avail. The costumes and makeup for all the characters were superb and second to none. Everyone loved the experience in the dungeon.

Bellatrix Lestrange finally chained up in Azkaban

Stupifying Bellatrix to be able to get closer

Extra protection from Harry Potter himself

Outside Azkaban was the Broomstick flight school were ordinary muggles could learn how to fly. This was overseen by Professor Snape who kept everyone in line. All the while characters wandered the grounds meeting people and putting on an excellent show. And like anything the Emerald Garrison puts its mind to, Be it Star Wars, Heroes and Legends, or Harry Potter, it was always the evil characters people were most taken with. The Death Eater costumes were perfectly scary and fascinating. They put on a great performance throughout.

Mad Eye Moody protecting the muggles from the Death Eaters

Learning to fly under the steeling critical eye of Professor Snape

Death Eaters watching as the muggles enter Hogwarts

A Death Eater checking for any of Dumbledore’s Army

Overseeing the throng, Death Eaters were getting ready for a fight

On we traveled to see the dragon in the small tower. It was a very well crafted dragon with a wonderful Hogwarts student on hand to keep the magic going. Once we had taken this all in we moved on to the keep itself.

It was then we got to bump into the utterly amazing Newt Scamander! And it was uncanny how much the actor looked like Eddie Redmayne. He was fantastic with us and the kids loved the whole get up. Again the costume was detailed and on point.

At the Keep there was a bit of queuing again, but thankfully we got in under its eaves before a flurry of icy rain started to belt down. As we walked in through the doorway we were greeted by none other than Hagrid. Wow, is all i can say. The costume was fantastic and dominated the room with lots of people quickly getting the opportunity to have a photo as they queued for the Sorting Hat and Potions class. And keeping an eye on everyone making sure nobody stepped out of line was none other than the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts herself, Dolores Umbridge!

Dolores Umbridge keeping the queue in order.

Being pointed out as a wanted man.

Hagrid keeping an eye on the goings on

As we filed through the castle staff were gracious, friendly and chatty as they split the attendee, some to the Sorting Hat and some to Potions, and so queuing in this portion was quite short. We headed to the Sorting Hat room first and as the door opened we were greeted with a table resplendent with china tea cups readied for reading by Professor of Divination, Sybill Patricia Trelawney. She looked amazing and was perfectly in character. The kids loved it as they sat and each told to swirl the cups, pour out the ‘tea’ and see what the tea leaves would divine, before getting ready for the Sorting Hat.

Sybill Trelawney greeting the students to Divination

Trelawney reading the tea leaves

McGonagall giving me a warning to behave in Gryffindor or else its Slytherin for me

Everyone was sorted, and I mean EVERYONE, including myself. I was not surprised my eldest was put into Slytherin and my youngest was put into Gryffindor but with an option for Hufflepuff.

I was…… on probation for Gryffindor with a review in 6 months to be put into Slytherin if i failed. Hmmmmmm.

Professor Minerva McGonagall oversaw this ceremony and she looked absolutely fantastic. Incredibly talented in keeping everyone entertained and under control, as only McGonagall could. Both the professors made everyone feel special and was a great experience for kids and the not so small kids.

Up next was potions with a special visit to Dolores Umbridge’s desk. Thankfully I didn’t get any lines to write out, though I felt the back of my hand tingle at the thought. Umbridge brilliantly interacted with the kids and kept them entertained until we got a special potion lesson in how to turn others a different colour. Unfortunately i don’t think the ingredients are easy to come by.

Playing some Wizard Chess

Learning about potions

Potion Lesson

Potion Lesson

Dolores Umbridge ready to give out lines

When they side with the Death Eaters and turn you in for the reward for the capture of Sirius Black!!

Off next to Wand class were the girls learned how to disarm their opponent. They were enraptured as they learned their moves from Nymphadora Tonks.

Wand class with Nymphadora Tonks

Unfortunately, we missed the Herbology class but we were actually exhausted by this point and after a few goodbyes off we went home.

The whole experience was great. The exhibits were stunning, with a lot of detail going into them and are a real credit to the members and friends of the Emerald Garrison. The character costume were very detailed and professional – no cheap halloween costumes here, thank you very much! Their interaction with the attendees was second to none – they really put their heart and soul into making it an experience to remember, for all the right reasons. Full credit to the castle staff and the Emerald Garrison for such a fantastic experience. The only fly in the ointment was the weather but there is no accounting for that.

I have heard they may be doing it again at Halloween at the castle. If you have the opportunity, have even a passing interest in Harry Potter, this experience needs to be seen to be believed. Get your tickets as soon as they are available and enjoy every moment.

Professor Sprout getting ready for Herbology class. Photo by Martin Ryan

Death Eater. Photo by Martin Ryan

The Dragon. Photo by Martin Ryan

Professor Sprout taking the Herbology class. Photo by Martin Ryan

Newt Scamander. Photo by Mike Gibb

A final note on the castle itself, it is well worth a visit on its own merit. You can find out more at Carrickfergus Castle.

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