Every Friday (June - August) at 11am

Every Saturday at 11am year round, come rain or shine.

Our regular, all-interest tour of Friar’s Bush, the guides take this tour in turns, so every week will be slightly different as the guides all have their own unique perspectives, interests and styles.

This tour takes in a little bit of everything and lasts around 1.5 hours at a comfortable pace with lots of stops.

- the history of the graveyard itself, it’s age, why it is there, how it is older than Belfast itself, how it survived

- the stories of some of it’s most famous residents

- the story of the gate lodge, how it was built and by whom, why it was built and who last lived there

- the story of Plaguey Hill - a mass famine grave

… and lots more

Children 11 and under go free

Saturday 4th July at 7pm

Monday 27th July at 3pm

Monday 3rd August at 7pm

Friday 7th August at 7pm

The links between Ireland and the US were established through many centuries of trans-Atlantic migration. Family members from Belfast who died in the US are recorded at Friar’s Bush, with gravestones naming places such as New York & San Francisco.

Meet the ‘Men who built America.’ Hear about the many reasons people left, the tragic stories of some who didn’t make it to the other side, and the remarkable tale of a colourful US-born character who entertained Georgian Belfast.

Thursday 9th July at 2pm

Friday 17th July at 2pm

Saturday 15th August at 2pm

Friday 21st August at 2pm

A fun and educational tour of Friar's Bush Graveyard for Junior Historians (aged 6-11) including lots of activities with historian Dr Robyn.

Calling all Junior Historians!

This summer you can enter the gates of the ancient Friar's Bush Graveyard and learn all about its fascinating history from a real historian. If your child likes Horrible Histories, they will love this!

For around 90 minutes, children will enter this graveyard and learn lots about the history of Belfast. After touring through the 19th century, they will find out all about deadly diseases of the past before receiving their Junior Historians pack. This bespoke workbook includes activities for within the graveyard as well as some bonus worksheets to take home. After each activity, historian Dr Robyn will lead the kids through what they have learned & encourage their history detecting skills.

Grown-ups will stay with their Junior Historians in the graveyard and will probably learn something too!

Situated beside the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens, the Junior Historians Club at Friar's Bush can easily fit in to a whole day out in south Belfast.

Wednesday 29th July at 3pm

Wednesday 5th August at 7pm

This ancient graveyard is the evocative setting for three voices to share the poetry of death, burial & remembrance. The story of this place is told through a wide selection of verse, which includes many original pieces written over the last 200 years specifically about this graveyard and those buried here.

It includes popular pieces about death, including by Irish pens. There are poems of devastation, of inspiration and even humour. Join us on an emotional but uplifting journey of exploration of our mortality.

Wednesday 29th July at 7pm

Thursday 6th August at 7pm

Meet a colourful cast of characters who lie buried in Friar's Bush, brought to life by professional actor Stephen Beggs

Meet the nameless Friar, the dodgy grave-digger, the Marquess & his butler, a mysterious Frenchman, a cuckoo-clock maker and many others. Pitch and roll on the high seas with the ill-fated captain!

We time-travel through three centuries of local history, related by the people. The story of this old graveyard & the forgotten characters buried here are brought vividly to life by a narrator, with professional actor Stephen Beggs bringing pathos and humour to the proceedings.

Friday 31st July at 3pm - 4.30pm

Oscar Wilde visited Belfast on his second-last trip to Ireland, at a pivotal point in his personal & professional life.

Learn where he stayed, what he did, which author he met on the street, and many local links. The story includes intriguing links to Celtic Crosses, two Popes and Dracula!

Friday 31st July at 7pm

A tour of Friar's Bush Graveyard focusing on public health, disease and famine in Belfast in the 19th Century with Dr. Robyn Atcheson

Dr Robyn Atcheson leads this special tour of Friar’s Bush graveyard focused on the 19th Century.

The story of Friar's Bush is the story of Belfast. We begin with haphazard burials at a tiny religious settlement beyond the small town of Belfast and progress to an organised,19th-century graveyard. You'll learn about the people of Belfast's struggles with disease, epidemics, bodysnatching and the effects of the Famine.

This is a small group tour, limited to 20 people and taken at a sedate pace lasting around 90 minutes. There will be an opportunity at the end to roam, explore and take pictures.

Friday 31st July 2pm - 3.30pm

Discover the remarkable story of this ancient graveyard and those who lie within, shared through Irish with some English.

FRIAR’S BUSH GRAVEYARD AS GAEILGE

FRIAR’S BUSH GRAVEYARD, STRANMILLIS ROAD

Faigh amach faoi stair na seanreilige seo agus faoi na daoine atá curtha inti, a inseofar trí mheán na Gaeilge agus giota beag Béarla. Déanfaidh treoraí a bhfuil taithí aige/aici na cúig chéad bliain de stair chasta na hÉireann a iniúchadh sa turas seo a bheidh fóirsteanach do na daoine sin a bhfuil leibhéal maith Gaeilge acu.

SCÉAL AGUS STAIR REILIG FRIAR’S BUSH AS GAEILGE

REILIG FRIAR’S BUSH, BÓTHAR AN tSRUTHÁIN MHILIS

Discover the remarkable story of this ancient graveyard and those who lie within, shared through Irish with some English. Five centuries of turbulent Irish history will be explored with an experienced guide, in a tour suitable for those with a good level of Irish.

Saturday 1st August 2pm - 3.30pm

A special East Belfast themed tour to coincide with the EastSide Arts Festival.

Here's a review from last year. -

'What a fascinating journey we had following Peter McCabe through Friar’s Bush Graveyard! Concentrating mainly on East Belfast citizens buried there, Peter enthusiastically and informatively shared their stories and wider connections. He recounted their history with humour but also with great sensitivity. The graveyard felt like a sanctuary on the cusp of the city centre . . . so peaceful and calm. Freshly-mown grassy paths made it easy to navigate. Such an excellent and interesting hour and a half.'

This tour runs only once per year - try not to miss it!

Sunday 2nd August at 11am

This tour visits some remarkable memorials, from as early as 1685 and also teases out the stories of many who have been forgotten

Shankill (from the Irish meaning ‘old church’) is a truly ancient foundation, with evidence dating back more than 1,200 years.  This was the mother-church of Belfast, with the main burial ground. This tour visits some remarkable memorials, from as early as 1685 and also teases out the stories of many who have been forgotten and who deserve to be remembered. An audience with Queen Victoria is included!

Tours on 3rd August are FREE thanks to generous support from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Our regular, all-interest tour of Friar’s Bush, the guides take this tour in turns, so every week will be slightly different as the guides all have their own unique perspectives, interests and styles.

This tour takes in a little bit of everything and lasts around 1.5 hours at a comfortable pace with lots of stops.

Children 11 and under go free

Tickets for these free tours are very limited and are strictly by pre-booking below.

Sunday 8th August at 7pm

This tour will explore the lives and legacies of the many creatives buried at Friar's Bush Ancient Graveyard

This graveyard is the resting place for many creative people. This tour will explore their lives and legacies, while standing at their gravesides.

Learn of the priest-architect who designed a cathedral, and of the builder who finished a church, inspired by Westminster Abbey.

Learn about the woman credited with the best scream in show-business! And hear tales of the old friends, Montague Talbot & Valentine Rennie – two of the most popular entertainers of Georgian Ireland.

Additional dates and times to coincide with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

11am, 2pm and 4pm every day during the Fleadh

Our regular, all-interest tour of Friar’s Bush, the guides take this tour in turns, so every week will be slightly different as the guides all have their own unique perspectives, interests and styles.

This tour takes in a little bit of everything and lasts around 1.5 hours at a comfortable pace with lots of stops.

Children 11 and under go free