This immersive experience, based on Francis Higgins’s book ‘You Could Die Laughing—Growing Up in the Troubles,’ is led by two professionally accredited guides who grew up near each other in Belfast but met only recently, reflecting Northern Ireland’s deep divisions. Validated by App State professors and German educators, the tour explores the origins of the Troubles, touching on invasions, Partition, Civil Rights marches, paramilitarism, and terrorism. Participants visit significant sites, hear both academic analysis and personal stories, and view murals and memorials that highlight different perspectives. Delivered worldwide, the experience also discusses how the Troubles ended and the ongoing effects today. Both guides remain dedicated advocates of the Peace Process initiated by the Good Friday Agreement.  You can Book this experience by contacting us at the form below for prices, dates and details. 

Based on the book ‘You Could Die Laughing- Growing Up in the Troubles,’ by Francis Higgins and delivered by the author in person as well as a gaeilgeoir Nationalist this immersive experience is validated by App State professors and German educators. The two professionally accredited guides were born and lived 300 meters apart yet did not meet until 2020 demonstrating the long history of division in Northern Ireland before, during and after the erection of the infamous Peace Walls. This unique experience takes visitors to the origins of the ‘Troubles’ from the many invasions of Ireland to Partition and then onto the Civil Rights marches and the birth of paramilitarism and terrorism.  This totally unique experience offers both an academic perspective of the ‘Troubles’ plus the stories behind some of the worst murders perpetrated on either side.  You travel through and visit many sites of atrocity and you will also gain unique insights into the many mural and memorials that paint and present different perspectives of the many conflicts that occurred over hundreds of years on these same sites. This experience has been delivered to groups, educators and academics from all over the world who travelled to Belfast to learn of the ‘Troubles’ but also why and how the ‘Troubles’ ended and the consequences of the conflict today.  Both guides worked on and were and are still passionate advocates of the Peace Process that began with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and both work together to help cement the legacy of peace and to demonstrate its lasting success.