Hidden Ulster Tours

28/05/2026

Quiz question of the day...

Can you identify the five people represented by the carvings on this marble altar?

More info to follow soon 😀

19/05/2026

On a visit to PRONI this morning with my tour group, I was delighted to receive a copy of this new publication which marks 250 years of stories of people from Ulster in North America - since the landmark Declaration of Independence and the formation of the United States.

Many thanks to David Huddleston for showing us some rare and thought provoking documents.

Lolly Spence
Stone Circle Consulting

25/04/2026

My lovely Canadian tour group is on the loose in the market. We have been on a walking tour of Belfast City under blue skies and a welcome sun. From here, we have a pub stop in the historic Cathedral Quarter.

On a good day, few cities are as friendly and relaxed to walk round. We passed a demonstration - campaigners on the streets raising awareness of domestic violence. My tour group commented on the civilised nature of the parade. If only they were all like that!

10/04/2026

I will be helping to facilitate elements of this exciting programme 😀

Calling all residents of Newry, Mourne & Down District Council and Louth County Council!

We have something exciting lined up for you 👀

Curious about our shared medieval heritage?
Interested in history, cultural change, settlement patterns, or built heritage?

Opportunity to gain OCN Level 2 in Tour Guiding ( additional hours required)

Join our fun and interactive programme exploring castles and tower houses! 🏰

What’s involved?
✔ Just 15 hours over 5 months
✔ Running from April to August

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early to avoid missing out!

📩 For more information or to sign up, contact: [email protected]

This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

10/04/2026

Tour season 2026 is shaping up to be very busy as many people choose to visit the Emerald Isle.

Last night the Rick Steves' Europe guides met virtually on Zoom to hear from Rick and prepare for this year's programme. I will be guiding six of the Best of Ireland 14-day tours.

Rave Reviews for Our Tour Guides Rick is adamant about hiring guides he personally knows and trusts, and who share his love for Europe and passion for teaching. It's the biggest reason why each year nearly half of our tour members are repeat customers. Here are some "raves" about just a few of the f...

08/04/2026

There is something very clean and fresh about the colour combination of yellow and white - the shades of brightening Spring.

I am strolling down a country road, listening to birdsong, feeling warm air on my skin, smelling cut grass and appreciating the return of the light months.

Mayflower and whin (gorse) fill the hedges. When whin is in flower, kissing is in season. There are vagrant (and fragrant) daffodils, dandelions, celandines, wild primroses, stitchwort, daisies and the first (yet to turn blue) bluebells. I can see the leafing honeysuckle and ivy everywhere.

People's gardens have the pinks and purples too - heathers and camellias.

While I was typing this, I just met two people walking goats up the road on leads. The goats had just been bathed and were practising their catwalk in preparation for next month's Balmoral Show. I got to pat Star and Angel which was great!

How I love a walk in the country :)

26/02/2026

🦁 Three scheduled C.S. Lewis tour dates in February and March just announced! 🦁

One ticket for two guided tours - the Narnia Sculptures at C.S. Lewis Square by Hidden Ulster Tours and the fascinating St Mark's, Dundela church tour!

🎟️ Full info and booking here: https://www.glistrr.com/events/lf/cslewistours

26/02/2026

The first of three dates is coming up for a chance to tour both C.S. Lewis Square Narnia Sculptures and St Mark's, Dundela for one ticket! There are options to book just the Narnia Sculptures tour with Hidden Ulster Tours OR just the Church Tour too 🦁

⌚WHEN:
Saturday 28th February 2026
Saturday 7th March 2026
Saturday 21st March 2026

🎟 Full info and booking here: https://www.glistrr.com/events/lf/cslewistours

18/02/2026

In partnership with St Mark's Dundela (the CS Lewis Church) and my friends at Eastside, we are offering tours on three dates. Come and find out more about CS Lewis, his family in Ulster, the traces of 'home' in Narnia, and more. Refreshments at the church.... Lions! Witches! Wardrobes!


Eastside
Mark's, Dundela
C.S. Lewis Square
Circle Consulting

11/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GAAfujDsc/

Yep, I nodded through most of this 😀

Things Irish People Say and do…😂

1. “I will, yeah.” – Translation: Absolutely not, under any circumstances.
2. “I’m grand.” – Could mean anything from “I’m thriving” to “I’m on the brink of collapse.”
3. “Sure, it’ll be grand.” – National coping mechanism.
4. “Ah, stop.” – Means “That’s hilarious, keep going.” or “You’re deadly serious and I can’t believe it.”
5. “Fair play to ya.” – The Irish way of giving a standing ovation without standing up.
6. “What’s the story?” – Not a request for your biography, just “hello.”
7. “I’m only after having…” – The most confusing tense in the English language.
8. “Ah, sure look.” – Universal conversational glue. It works as an ending, beginning, or entire middle of a chat.

Things Irish People Do

1. Complain about the weather while standing outside in it.
2. Bring a coat everywhere — and then never wear it.
3. Turn tea into a full-blown medical treatment. (“Have a cuppa, you’ll be fine.”)
4. Clap when the plane lands like it was touch-and-go all along.
5. Argue passionately about counties no outsider has ever heard of.
6. Queue up without complaint but with plenty of muttering.
7. Use mass as a social event more than a religious one.
8. Say goodbye for half an hour at the door before finally leaving.
9. Call the immersion a national security threat.
10. Insist they don’t like drama, right before telling you the juiciest scandal you’ve ever heard.