Private tour in Belfast Dr Tom T

Discover People and Places of Belfast with a Local Guide

5.0

(3) reviews

-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Dr Tom T.

5.0

Guide rating

12

Reviews

Tours delivered

1 hrs

Avg. response time

Get ready to go back in time! My name is Tom and I specialise in walking you through Belfast's amazing and complex history. Belfast is an amazing city. Many tourists are drawn to the city because of the three Ts - the Titanic, Thrones (Game of) and the Troubles, the period of civil strife that ended in 1998. My tours seek to show you a different side of Belfast's history, its maritime heritage as a port and shipbuilding centre, its fine architecture and its story as the centre of the industrial revolution in Ireland. Originally from London, I moved to Belfast in 2014 to marry a local girl and have fallen in love with the city. People visit the city for many reasons, the food, the craic (Irish for fun, entertainment) and the culture, but what I love about Belfast's is its messy, multifaceted and magic past. I hope to share Belfast's amazing atmosphere and hidden history with you. I want to tell you about some of the lesser known aspects of the city's past; that the first republicans who fought for an independent Ireland free of British rule were Protestant not Catholic, that Belfast was the centre of the global linen trade for a century and that the city suffered the greatest loss of life in a bombing raid during the German bombing Blitz of the Second World War. If you are looking for a historical tour that aims to take a different perspective on the past of the city, I very much look forward to hearing from you…or better still…if I'm around and you're in town, book me! All the best, Tom I am a qualified professional Belfast Green Badge Tour Guide, certified to deliver walking tours in Belfast as an affiliate of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. I am also a member of the Northern Ireland Tourist Guide Association, a professional association of tour guides in the province. I am a published professional historian, holding a Bachelors and Doctorate in history from King's College London. I have also been involved in a number of local history projects such as The Men Behind the Glass project at Campbell College Belfast and Epidemic Belfast, a project about the medical history of the city. I also host and produced a weekly podcast that explores the history of the Great War. I am currently a Tutor on Queen's University Belfast Open Learning programme, have also been an Honorary Research Associate at Ulster University and Visiting Research Associate at Queen's University Belfast. I deliver walking tours around public areas in Belfast. Some historical sites don't permit external guides to guide on their premises (e.g. Titanic Belfast). I am not a driver; I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car/driver.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Dr Tom T.

Overview of your Belfast tour

This one-and-a-half hour Belfast history walking tour is an introduction to the story of Belfast; from its foundation by royal charter in 1613 to the present-day city. You will discover the amazing public art, iconic buildings and unique history of the city. I will share with you about pivotal individuals whose lives shaped Belfast's history. These include Mary Joy McCracken, the anti-slavery activist who campaigned against slavery for over 70 years; her brother Henry, executed for treason in 1798; Crawford McCullagh, son of a tenant farmer who became a millionaire draper and was Lord Mayor of Belfast for 17 years; and Waddel Cunningham, a merchant prince of Belfast who tried to establish the Belfast Slave Ship Company in 1786.

Recent Reviews

Downing B.United States
July 2023

My wife and I very much enjoyed our tour of Belfast with Tom. He tailored the tour to our interests and we had a great time walking around the city with him. Belfast is a big city but it's small enough that it's easy to walk around and see many of the important historical sights in just an hour and a half. We highly recommend Tom.

Michael V.United States
June 2023

Tom was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was great

Your Belfast tour itinerary

Meet at The Salmon of Knowledge (The Big Fish), Donegall Quay (location for phone GPS, BT1 3NG). We shall pass the Albert Memorial Clock. Known as Belfast's 'leaning Tower of Pisa', this clock was erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's late husband in the 1860s. We shall also visit Rosemary Street, home to three Presbyterian churches, named in sequential order, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd churches. The 1st Church still remains and is the oldest still-in-use church in Belfast. Its worshippers were famous Belfast citizens such as shipbuilder Edward Harland (of Harland & Wolff, the company that built the Titanic). Our next destination is Winecellar entry, home to White's, reputedly Belfast's oldest pub from 1630. Our last stop will be the gardens of Belfast's City Hall (BT1 5GS). Opened in 1906, the City Hall is a fine example of municipal architecture. In the gardens is the Titanic Memorial Gardens, erected to remember the tragic 1912 disaster. * This tour can be changed upon request. Please do contact.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

This is a walking tour. Bring comfortable shoes.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: at The Salmon of Knowledge (The Big Fish), Donegall Quay, Lagan River bank (postcode BT1 3NG). This is by the Lagan Weir footbridge and behind the Customs House.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
History
Off The Beaten Path
Tour reference number
1021700
Languages
English
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Belfast best suited for?

This private tour in Belfast is perfect for travellers who are interested in the rich history and culture of the city. It's ideal for those who want to explore iconic buildings, public art, and learn about pivotal individuals who have shaped Belfast's history. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Belfast be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 1 hour 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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