the Northern Ireland peace tourism initiative with belfastlad & Co
Discover Ireland's 'Troubles' Peace Journey Through History, Culture & Art
Join us on an unforgettable journey through Northern Ireland’s rich history and culture, guided by experts in peace tourism. BelfastLad’s expert guides have been delivering history and culture focused tour experiences focusing on the ‘Troubles’ in Ireland and also in conflict and battlefield sites across Europe for over 20 years. Now consulting on Peace Tourism to Tourism Northern Ireland our tour experiences are academically validated and include walking, taxi and coach tours. Using only accredited and 5 rated guides, former combatants and British Army soldiers our tours are totally authentic as they are delivered by guides who took part not only in the Troubles but also the Good Friday Peace Agreement that ended the long history of sectarian violence in Ulster.
The Origin of the ‘Troubles’ – Religion, Riots and Rebels: Walking Tour Immersive Experience
Conflicting Stories’Belfast Cab Tours with former combatants and soldiers who fought in Belfast during the Troubles
Academic Lecture(s) Walking/Coach Tour Immersive Experience for students, teachers and for visitors wanting to know the real history of the conflict
‘Two Sides – One Story’ the Causes and Consequences of the ‘Troubles’a walking tour with guides from Loyalist and Nationalist authentic expert guides
Conflicting Stories – Understanding Belfast’s troubled history,
a political walking tour by Republican and Loyalist ex-political prisoners
Belfast’s ‘Hidden Gems’: Discover the City’s Path to Peace Story with Expert Guides, Music and Dance
Understanding the ‘Troubles’: An Authentic and Unique Academic Reflection on Irish history and Conflict Memory
‘Cleaning Up the Mess’ The Emergency Services during the Troubles An Authentic Walking Experience with Former Ambulance Officers
Why Choose Belfastlad?
Our tours offer a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure, tailored for all devices.
Mobile-Friendly Booking
Book your tour seamlessly on any device with our user-friendly platform Beyonk.
Expert Guides
Our Driver/Guides, Walking Guides and Academic Lecturers are Former Combatants and Soldiers.
Customizable Pickups/Dropoffs
We can pick you up/Drop you off from the Grand Central Train Station or Cruise ship for a small additional charge.
Murals, Murders and 'Say Nothing'
We take you to the locations that you have seen on TV or read in books in the company of those who survived.
What Our Customers Say
“The Conflicting Stories Tour was an incredible experience that truly showed what makes Belfast so unique. It helped us understand history from multiple perspectives with our two guides and genuinely widened our horizons. We didn’t feel like tourists, we felt connected, informed, and emotionally engaged. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to go beyond the surface and explore Belfast in real depth! Thank you!” – Carina from New York.
“We all enjoyed the tour immensely , very informative yet able to be understood. The drivers , Frank and Manuel ,were not only knowledgeable of the information but the personal information they shared about their lives. This experience was riveting yet heart felt.” Joe from Manchester
“Frank and Michael were amazing guides. Each with their unique take on the history but respectful of the diversity. We’ve travelled all over the world and had some fabulous guides – these guys were up there with the best..” Sharon from Canada .
Explore Our Prices
Conflicting Stories Black Cab Tour for up to 3 People
Two Hour Experience beginning in Castle Street Belfast- Black Cab Experience with one hour with Republican and one hour with Loyalist/British Army Driver Guide of the Murals, Peacewalls and sites of killings and riots. The driver guides are former Combatants who lived in the areas you will visit on your experience.
Coach Tour Student Academic Package for those studying the Conflict
Includes a pre-tour lecture and post tour follow up Q&A- For those seriously wanting to study the conflict from writers, lecturers, Loyalists and Nationalists who are former combatants and soldiers who lived or served in the areas you will visit. The package includes a pre-tour online lecture and an online follow question and answer lecture. Please note minimum numbers apply and you supply the coach, we do the rest.
'Two Sides One Story' Walking Tour with Locals who lived and Survived the Troubles
Two and a Half Hour Experience beginning in Castle Street Belfast- The only authentic tour of its type that sees writers and local activitists who lived in the areas you will visit tell their unique stories of the conflict from different perspectives. Nationalist, Loyalist and Front Line Troops who lived and fought on the very streets you will visit. You are fitted with VOX sets to hear every detail.
Blogs, Articles, Books and Podcasts from BelfastLad & Co
Insights into Northern Ireland's Rich History
Steelchest, Nail-in-the-Boot and the Barking Dog
I was privileged to be asked to speak at the recent showing of Steelchest, Nail in the Boot and the Barking Dog. After watching the film to a packed audience at the Strand Arts Centre as part of the Digital NI week the audience and my fellow guest speaker was George...
About the Belfast Lad
The Belfast Lad is Francis Higgins a 60 year old post-graduate tour guide who was born and bred in Belfast. He was born in Woodford Street on the Old Lodge Road in Belfast City in 1960 and went to school in Brown’s Square primary school until aged 11. His next...