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 22nd August at 11AM (Sold Out)

Saturday 22nd August at 2pm

Friar’s Bush is an ancient graveyard located on Stranmillis Road, South Belfast, with over 450 years of known history on a site that's much, much older than Belfast itself. It's an incredible place, full of the history of both the rich and the poor. The late Dr. Éamon Phoenix called it "two acres of Irish history."

The tour lasts around an hour and a half and is accessible being mostly on flat, well drained cut grass paths.

This special extra tour is offered to celebrate National Heritage Week.

Friday 25th September at 7pm

An evening 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.

Early bird discount available!

Summer sessions are sold out - join the waitlist to get priority access to the next dates around half-term.

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.