In May 2025, I delivered my 250th tour as a certified Green Badge guide — a milestone that gave me pause to reflect on how I got here, what I’ve learned and what I might have done differently. This article shares my journey from academic research to walking the streets of Belfast with thousands of visitors, the unexpected joys of guiding, the challenges of starting out and the lessons I’ve picked up along the way. It’s a look back at a job that’s tested, surprised and deeply fulfilled me — and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Introduction
In May 2025, I reached a personal milestone: my 250th tour as a certified, accredited and professional tour guide in Belfast. Since qualifying in November 2021, I’ve guided 3,317 people on walking and coach tours across Belfast and Northern Ireland. It’s a good moment to reflect — on why I became a guide, what I’ve learned and what I might have done differently.
Why Become a Guide?
The decision came during what could politely be called a midlife crisis — one that led to a PhD. I began doctoral research with a hazy ambition of becoming an academic, but that was quickly scuppered by the state of higher education. My research focused on motivation and interpersonal dynamics in Great War combat units — fascinating, but hardly fashionable in modern academia.
My wife suggested I consider guiding. The Northern Ireland Tourist Guide Association (NITGA) was offering its Green Badge training in autumn 2020. It offered a practical route that made use of my historical expertise — and a chance to do something real.
The Work
My tours cover Belfast’s political, social, economic and cultural history over the past three centuries. Work is seasonal but richly varied. I’ve led groups through City Hall, cruise ship excursions to the Giant’s Causeway and Glenariff, visits to Hillsborough Castle and the Game of Thrones Studio Tour — and created my own walking tours too.
It’s more rewarding than many ‘real jobs’ I’ve done. You’re only as good as your last tour, which keeps you sharp. The flexibility, independence and variety are unmatched. You get exercise, stimulating conversation and an audience (mostly) glad to be here. Locals enjoy rediscovering their city and the guests can be delightfully unexpected — like the group of American equine dentistry students I once led through the Shankill and Falls.
The guiding community has also been a joy. It’s a solitary profession at times, so building a network through NITGA has been invaluable — not just for professional support and development but for friendship and comradery.
Lessons Learned
Like any job, it has its downsides. Cruise work can be chaotic, last-minute and unpredictable. Starting out was tough: building a brand, a digital presence and finding my voice took time.
The biggest lesson? Believe in yourself. Early on, I lacked confidence and didn’t seek feedback or reviews — a mistake. Branded clothing, business cards and leaflets would have helped from the outset. Networking too — the old advice holds true.
Support and Development
Go Succeed, Northern Ireland’s business support service, has been a huge help. Their early social media support wasn’t great, but later interventions were spot on. A digital audit of my website and socials was especially useful, and their design input produced a far better logo than my own efforts. Their online courses were practical and insightful — with particular thanks to Christine Watson (marketing), Sinead McKeever (SEO) and Clara Maybin (video).
Media work has raised my profile, even if it hasn’t directly generated business. More importantly, it’s provided useful social content.
One of the best decisions I made was to carve out a niche. With my colleague Mark Doherty, I co-developed the Anti-Slavery Belfast tour, exploring both Belfast’s ties to the slave trade and its abolitionist legacy. I also created tours on the Belfast Blitz, local medical history and the Troubles. This thematic historical approach has helped me stand out.
It’s been heartening to receive consistently positive feedback. I bring a deep love of history, reading and learning to the work — and, as a trained historian, I hope I also bring nuance. History is rarely neat; it’s often contested. That matters especially when guiding guests through subjects like slavery or Northern Ireland’s recent past.
Professionalism and Credibility
In Belfast’s tight-knit guiding community, your reputation is everything. Professionalism matters: turn up, stick to time, do what you say you’ll do. I’m proud to be a partner with Belfast City Council, though I’ve yet to make full use of the opportunities that offers.
Listening is also key. Guests often share personal stories that add real value. On one Blitz tour, I mentioned a fire engine hit during the Easter Raid of 1941 — only to be told by a guest that his father had been on board. You can’t plan for those moments, but they’re gold.
What’s Next?
There’s still much to do: improve my website, update older content, post more consistently, and make more videos — including a YouTube series of historical reels. I’d also like to build stronger links with local history groups and U3As.
Looking Ahead
Where do I see myself in five years? Hard to say. But I know what I’ll continue to value: the love of history, credibility, professionalism and turning up. This journey has been unexpected, challenging and hugely fulfilling. Long may it continue.