The Hidden Histories of Northern Ireland

Journey North & Historical Icons

You will depart Dublin and make your way to Northern Ireland. On the way, you will choose between a guided visit to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour with a tailored narrative, or Hillsborough Castle for a specialist LGBTQ+ History Tour. This royal residence visit explores hidden narratives, from historical relationships and public scandals to political activism and evolving attitudes. You will then check in for your overnight stay at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, a boutique Belfast hotel explicitly celebrating local literary and artistic figures.

Belfast’s Hidden Histories & Street Art

You will begin the morning with a tailored Queen’s Quarter walking tour blending rich history with exclusive queer cultural insights. Starting at the iconic Lanyon Building, you will uncover Oscar Wilde’s local legacy before heading into Botanic Gardens. At the Ulster Museum, you will explore the deeply moving Oughley Shed exhibit, which reveals hidden mid-century gay sanctuaries. After a scenic stroll through the Victorian Tropical Ravine, you will track the historic 1974 Cara-Friend helpline movement near the McClay Library. Your morning journey winds through the bohemian Crescent Arts Centre, concluding with celebratory drinks at The Harrison’s stylish bar.
Following a relaxed lunch, you will move to Belfast City Hall to view the vibrant, permanently installed LGBTQ+ Pride stained-glass window. Unveiled on the ground floor with widespread cross-party support, it stands as a brilliant architectural monument to queer visibility and modern inclusion. Next, you will travel to Great Victoria Street, stopping directly in front of the iconic Europa Hotel to study the bronze “Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker.” Originally rejected by a conservative council, this raw, intersectional sculpture by Louise Walsh highlights the historical invisibility of marginalized female labor and human rights. Finally, you will enter the Cathedral Quarter to admire the city’s famous, progressive street art. The emotional anchor here is the towering Lyra McKee mural on Kent Street, painted by urban artist EMIC. This beautiful, large-scale portrait celebrates the memory of the inspiring queer journalist and serves as a powerful symbol of modern resilience, artistic expression, and social progress across Northern Ireland. You will overnight at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction.

Civil Rights & Queer Liberation in Derry

You will depart Belfast this morning and travel northwest to Derry/Londonderry for a one-night stay at the boutique Walled City Hotel. Upon arrival, your exploration shifts to the powerful intersection of civil rights and queer liberation. You will experience a customized walking tour through the historic Bogside neighbourhood, where the city’s world-famous political street art takes on a vibrant new meaning. Your expert guide will reframe these monumental Bogside murals, showing how modern street artists have woven the LGBTQ+ struggle directly into the city’s historic narrative.
A major highlight is the iconic Free Derry Corner, a famous gable wall historically repainted in bright pink and crowned with a pride flag to honor Foyle Pride. This artistic transformation highlights Derry’s evolution into a progressive and inclusive space. In the afternoon, you will visit Waterloo House to engage with The Rainbow Project, Northern Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ charity. Here, you will participate in a private discussion with local activists, learning firsthand about their ongoing grassroots campaigns for rural queer visibility and regional healthcare equity. You will conclude your evening with a stroll across the illuminated Peace Bridge before returning to the Walled City Hotel.

Literary Foundations & UNESCO Music Finale

You will depart Derry, driving through scenic landscapes to reach Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy. This award-winning literary center celebrates Ireland’s Nobel Laureate, whose lyrical focus on identity and non-sectarian art laid the social foundation for Belfast’s later punk and alternative musical movements. You will explore the interactive exhibits, hear Heaney read his own poetry via immersive audio guides, and view his personal library. Following an artisanal lunch at the on-site HomePlace Café, a short 45-minute drive brings you back into Belfast city centre.
In the afternoon, you will embark on an exclusive UNESCO City of Music walking tour led by an expert local guide. A veteran of the alternative scene, your guide leads you through the Cathedral Quarter’s cobblestone streets, tracing Belfast’s musical evolution from traditional folk to raw 1970s punk rock. The tour winds past iconic venues and stops outside the historic Oh Yeah Music Centre. The day culminates in a private finale inside an inclusive venue, where you will enjoy a special, intimate concert by local independent singer-songwriters, capping off a perfect blend of Irish literature and live music. You will overnight back at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction.

Departure