Ghosts of the Shankill

08/09/2026

31/08/2026

Next Saturday at 11AM we're back in the Cathedral Quarter for 'Brothels, Babies & Old Belfast': Cathedral Quarter Tour where we visit the oldest part of Belfast. This interesting little object from the collection of the National Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh is described as a "shoe doll" and it's something that might have been played with here. It's made from the heel of a mans shoe, a black stocking and some other scraps of fabric. You could argue that it was a symptom of the poverty of some of these cities, including Belfast, that children had to make their own dolls, but I like to think it came straight from the imagination of a child who decided to make a doll from some of the things people had left lying around.
What do you think?

29/08/2026

The original dedication in 'Ghosts of the Shankill' was to the late great Mo Mowlam, who spent her teenage years in Coventry and still has some family here. I changed it when I found out Billy Lambe, a hero of the Coventry Blitz, had strong Shankill and North Belfast connections and dedicated it to him instead. However, I haven't forgotten Mo, so if you are in Coventry on Saturday 19 September I've organised a little celebration for her heavenly birthday (18 September). Brian, a native of County Tyrone but long time Coventry resident, will be playing a few tunes on his bagpipes and we'll have a beautiful peace themed cake plus LTB Showrooms themed vegan cup cakes from Miss Ellie's of Coventry - Ellie's husband's family has Belfast connections. The LTB played a big part in the development of the book - its former location where that took place has now been demolished but this fab creative hub now lives on at the Priory Visitor Centre in Priory Row, Coventry - the site of Coventry's original Cathedral which Earl Leofric and Lady Godiva had built way back in the day. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be celebrated with cupcakes and the wail of bagpipes! 😊

24/08/2026

I'm blown away at all the love that my wee post about Mo Mowlam got on the 21st anniversary of her death ❤
Of course we'll be talking about her on Sundays tour, 'Sorry For Your Troubles Missus' so if you'd like to hear more (and some of the stories about her are legendary!) you can book a place here ⬇⬇⬇

20/08/2026

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It was remiss of me not to post about this lady yesterday on the 21st anniversary of her death.
She features on a number of my tours as she was definitely a woman who DID make history! Her personality and reputation for straight talking meant she was able to make difficult decisions at a time when it was necessary, never doubting that peace was possible here. She listened and took part in those difficult conversations which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 which its widely believed wouldn't have happened without her. I have talked to many people who met her and have heard many great stories about her and I have never heard anyone say anything bad about her.
So Doctor Marjorie Mowlam we absolutely salute you for your courage and your kindness. I'm not sure we'll ever see her like again ❤

16/08/2026

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15/08/2026

On 15 August 1872 the largest Nationalist procession that Belfast had ever seen took place. There were some skirmishes as it made its way to Hannahstown. After the processionists returned to Belfast all seemed calm in the town ... but serious sectarian rioting, housewrecking and looting soon erupted which lasted for a week or so.

14/08/2026

New resident harpist Ursula Burns shows our vision for a restored Carnegie Centre for Weaving and Community resource.