What Price Peace?
This week sees the 50th anniversary of Bloody Friday. The most violent day of the most violent month of the most violent year of the Troubles.
Steering Us Through The Conflict
Very simply being a civilian bus driver or conductor here was an incredibly dangerous job. And just being a passenger on a bus could be a very dangerous ‘activity’.
Things To Do In Belfast On Sundays
Some people think there isn’t much to do or that the city isn’t much fun on a Sunday morning before the shops and pubs open. But they would be wrong. Very, very wrong.
Tales From The Tours
People often ask me “what makes a good tour?”, but this is inevitably from the perspective of the participant. Recently I was asked the question “what makes a good tour for a guide?” And that is a bloody good question.
Belfast & Branagh
The DC Tours phone rang on Monday, and I answered professionally and courteously as usual. Nadia, a pleasant woman with a posh London accent, quickly explained that BBC Breakfast wanted to interview me as a Belfast tour guide and historian about the Kenneth Branagh film ‘Belfast’.
Ghosts Of Christmas Past
The sprouts have wreaked (reeked?) their havoc, the remaining turkey has been curried and the tree shoved back up its hole, it is time to reflect on the Christmases past. Every year should be a learning year and whilst it has been an ‘annus horriblis’ to borrow a phrase, this year I have learned several things
Ruby Murray – The Heartbeat Girl from The Donegall Road
Paul Donnelly, DC Tours' lead guide (and old punk), looks back at the life of the most successful singer (from a very different era) to be born in Belfast.
The Belfast Sludge Boats
Tour guide James Ellson takes a deep dive (not literally thankfully) into the Belfast Sludge Boats and their role in keeping the city clean.
Lunch In Belfast
Where are the best and closest places at the end of the tour to get a tasty lunch? Here's a few of our favourite recommendations.
Dr. William Drennan
Dr. William Drennan, a United Irishman centuries ahead of his time in many ways, comes under the microscope of our lead guide Paul Donnelly.
Belfast and the Cinema (or the ‘Picture House’)
Donzo's blog about the lost cinemas of Belfast
Donzo’s Ma, Belfast, and the ‘Swinging Sixties’…
Donzo interviews his Ma about Belfast's nightlife before the Troubles really got started...