ベルファスト政治ツアー - 対立する物語ウォーキング ツアー

Paul our tour guide for the first half of the tour spoke with obvious passion about his own personal experience of the troubles but also with great knowledge of its history. Yes, his views were quite obvious but they did not come across as dictatorial & he did not shirk questions, answering with refreshing honesty. So moving on to part two of the tour we were hoping for an equally impassioned counter argument or some kind of reasoning/justification of what we had heard from Paul but let’s just say …. we didn’t get that!! Probably best to say nothing more other than that with many oversea visitors, with possibly no prior awareness of the conflict, on this tour on Saturday morning, it is very unlikely that they will be going home with any great impression of the UK & it’s actions during that time …. whether that’s right or wrong will probably always be contentious but it would have been good to have had a fair debate on which a person can form their own opinion & thoughts. Was still a really good tour & a great concept but could have been so much better ….

This was an amazing tour, but the time from 11 to 2 pm means you need to eat a hearty breakfast and pack some protein snacks with you as there's not a stop for lunch

Great guides. Well-informed, engaged. Passionate

Amazing experience walking through Belfast and hearing the guides personal stories. The suffering of the people and the troubles that have shaped generations was so clear and moving.

Being shown both sides of the story was excellent. We talked about what we’d learned as a family for the rest of the day. Hearing about the violence from guides who’d lived through it was very moving. Anne-Marie was exceptional, her details of events were incredible. Overall a must-do for anyone visiting Belfast

10/09/2026 – Conflicting Stories Tour The tour certainly lives up to its title, “Conflicting Stories.” It offered two very different perspectives on Belfast’s past and present, although, for me, the experience became increasingly bitter as the tour progressed towards its conclusion on a particularly rainy day in Belfast. Seemed ironic. The female tour guide representing the Catholic nationalist perspective had a warm, welcoming demeanour and made everyone feel included, despite Belfast’s best efforts with the weather. What stood out most was the way she combined facts and figures with personal and lived experience. Her stories gave a genuine glimpse into what life during the Troubles was like, while also offering insight into how those experiences continue to shape people and communities today. Importantly, I never felt that she was trying to persuade us to choose one side over another. Despite sharing experiences of personal loss and trauma from the Troubles, she remained calm and professional when discussing the unionist and Protestant community. Her closing message about the importance of working together and living in harmony was particularly touching. It was clear that she wants Belfast’s younger generations to have a different experience of the city and to grow up without the divisions and trauma that shaped her own life. The male guide representing the unionist and Protestant perspective felt very different to me. From the outset, I felt there was a stronger sense of an agenda, despite his stated desire for harmony. Some of his comments came across as digs at Catholics and nationalists, and there were moments when nationalist culture appeared to be belittled rather than explained or explored. I respect his lived experience shaped this. Without living it, who am I say to it’s wrong despite appearing bitter. There were glimpses of humour and some lighter moments, but these were ultimately overshadowed for me by the tone of the commentary, including the comparison between nationalists and Hamas. At times, plaques and memorials were pointed out without much context or explanation, which left me feeling that there was an opportunity to provide greater insight into the unionist experience that wasn’t fully taken. Overall, I would still recommend the tour. Hearing both perspectives is valuable, particularly because Northern Ireland’s history is complex and deeply personal. However, I do think the male guide could reflect on the context and delivery of some of his comments. If the aim is to help others understand your lived experience, I believe that creating space for empathy and understanding is far more effective than making the other side feel attacked. I left the tour with a lot to reflect on. It made me wonder whether lasting peace in Northern Ireland is truly within reach, or whether it may take several more generations.

I’ve never been on a tour which told both sides of the story so authentically. We learned about The Troubles from a former member of the IRA who identified as Irish and a resident of the loyalist side who viewed themselves as not Irish but as “Ulster Scott”. It was so thoughtfully presented and gives the audience a chance to think through the conflict for days and years afterwords, wrestling with the challenging conflict in our own minds. We could ask questions and have a dialogue along the way. I would do this tour over and over again. Thank you so much.

+6

The emphasis is too much on who did what to whom. The tourguides (both) wallop in their hurt and anger, and only feed the anger. The guides honestly wonder why the wall and gates are still there, but if you feed your anger like the guides also do, then it doesn't contribute to bonding and bridging. But, reconciliation is not easy. If that is the lesson, than the lesson is well taught.

As a solo traveller interested in learning more about the history of Northern Ireland it was much too costly for me alone to book a black taxi. I was delighted when I discovered this gem of a walking tour which was not only three hours but unlike any other tour featured personal stories and history lessons from a Nationalist and Unionist. The wealth of information was overwhelming and left me wanting only to learn more more more. It is an excellent segue into learning more about the history of the Troubles and the people on either side.

The first half Of the tour, with the Nationalist Irish woman guide, was very good and would rate a five on your scale. The British male guide was terrible and would rate a one. He spent the first half hour standing in one spot expounding on his beliefs and denigrating the woman who did the first half of the tour. She had talked about how both sides need to come together as one and he spent the entire tour putting her and the Republicans down. No less than 5 times he commented that she had not come through the gates to greet him when the tour switched sides. He made comments that were negative about everything to do with the Republican/Nationalists but did not bother to tell us about the Loyalists. He spent 2 hours expounding on his beliefs and she spent her allotted 1.5 hours teaching history without expounding.on her beliefs. He referred to Palestine as Hamas and she spoke of the troubles being experienced there without expressing her own beliefs. She shared facts throughout and he just denigrated the Irish/Republican side.