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I’m running two courses as part of the QUB Open Learning programme for 2025 In the Autum I’m looking at the social history of Belfast in the 19th century and in the Spring of 2026 I explore Belfast’s slavery past.…

Helen Lewis (1916-2009) was a pioneer of modern dance in Belfast and a survivor of the Holocaust. Born into a German-speaking Jewish family in Bohemia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (now the Czech Republic), she moved to Prague in…

Union Theological College serves as the primary theological and ministerial training institution for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Established in 1853, the College is renowned for its Renaissance Revival architectural style, featuring a grand Doric porch and Baroque attic, designed…

Isabella Maria Susan Tod (18 May 1836 – 8 December 1896) was a Scottish-born campaigner for women’s civil and political equality, active in Northern Ireland. She lobbied for women’s rights to education and property, the dignified treatment of sex workers,…

Fitzroy Avenue Presbyterian Church has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1813, making it one of the earliest Presbyterian congregations in Belfast. Since 1874, it has been located in the University area of the city. The church…

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…

Is Belfast’s tourism future being built on solid ground — or seduced by shiny tech? In this reflective piece, I explore Augment the City, a bold new programme introducing AI and immersive storytelling to Belfast’s visitor offer. Drawing on personal experience in…

Botanic Gardens in Belfast has a fascinating history rooted in its origins with the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society, who purchased the area in 1829. Initially, access to the gardens required a private subscription, with costs reflecting the exclusivity of…

William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin (1824-1907), was a Belfast-born mathematician, mathematical physicist, and engineer renowned for his significant contributions to science over his lifetime. Thomson served as the Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow for an impressive…

Situated in front of the McClay Library at Queen’s University Belfast, “ECO” stands as a notable piece of public art created by the Breton artist Marc Didou. Crafted from bronze, this sculpture represents Didou’s exploration into digital imaging techniques, encapsulating…