The Ulster Museum, founded originally as the Belfast Natural History Society in 1821, has evolved into one of Northern Ireland’s foremost cultural institutions. Its history of public exhibitions began in 1833, and it expanded with the addition of an art…
Very kind feed back from one of my troubles tours this week (4 June 2025). Link is here: tinyurl.com/33yh7pxa To book tours head here: www.drtomstours.com.
The Palm House stands as a remarkable greenhouse within Botanic Gardens, Belfast, renowned as one of the oldest surviving examples of curvilinear iron and glass structures worldwide. Constructed in 1839, the Palm House was designed by Charles Lanyon and built…
Tourism Northern Ireland (Tourism NI) is the public body charged with developing and promoting tourism across Northern Ireland. It plays a central role in supporting the tourism industry by commissioning research, shaping strategy and delivering marketing campaigns aimed at boosting…
As I was training to be a tour guide in Belfast in 2021, my father-in-law gave me a small pamphlet by Norman Ballentine titled Belfast Official Tourist Handbook produced by Belfast City Council in 1969 just before the outbreak of…
Neighbourhood tourism is fast becoming a cornerstone of Belfast’s evolving visitor strategy, aiming to share the benefits of tourism more equitably across the city. By spotlighting local stories, culture and community-led experiences, this approach seeks to attract culturally curious travellers…
As Belfast gears up for the 2025 tourist season, this article explores whether the city is ready to meet soaring expectations and global competition. With cruise tourism on the rise, a renewed focus on sustainability and a £2 billion economic…
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has unveiled 13 brand new visitor experiences, designed to strengthen the region’s tourism offer and attract more domestic and international guests. A cohort of enthusiastic new tourism entrepreneurs gathered at The Halfway House,…
This article explores the pros and cons of free walking tours versus paid guided tours, highlighting hidden costs and quality concerns associated with “free” options. It makes the case for professional guides as a more reliable and enriching way to…
Tom Hartley’s Written in Stone is an engaging and meticulously researched account of one of Belfast’s most historically significant burial grounds. As a former Lord Mayor of Belfast and a Sinn Féin politician, Hartley might not be the most obvious…
