Steering Us Through The Conflict
Very simply being a civilian bus driver or conductor here was an incredibly dangerous job. And just being a passenger on a bus could be a very dangerous ‘activity’.
Tales From The Tours
People often ask me “what makes a good tour?”, but this is inevitably from the perspective of the participant. Recently I was asked the question “what makes a good tour for a guide?” And that is a bloody good question.
Belfast and Branagh
The DC Tours phone rang on Monday, and I answered professionally and courteously as usual. Nadia, a pleasant woman with a posh London accent, quickly explained that BBC Breakfast wanted to interview me as a Belfast tour guide and historian about the Kenneth Branagh film ‘Belfast’.
Ghosts Of Christmas Past
The sprouts have wreaked (reeked?) their havoc, the remaining turkey has been curried and the tree shoved back up its hole, it is time to reflect on the Christmases past. Every year should be a learning year and whilst it has been an ‘annus horriblis’ to borrow a phrase, this year I have learned several things
Violet Gibson – The Woman from Dublin who shot Benito Mussolini
The spectre of assassination was probably not envisaged as being in the form of a mentally ill, 50-year-old Dublin woman clothed in a black shawl and armed with a rock and a revolver. This however was how Violet Gibson appeared as she shot and wounded Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Walter Devereux, The 1st Earl of Essex. Never Shortlisted for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Sir Walter Devereux 1st Earl of Essex may not be as (in)famous as Sir Arthur Chichester, the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell or King William of Orange amongst those to visit Ireland and leave an indelible historical mark on the land, but he certainly deserves a mention.
Ruby Murray – The Heartbeat Girl from The Donegall Road
Paul Donnelly, DC Tours' lead guide (and old punk), looks back at the life of the most successful singer (from a very different era) to be born in Belfast.
The Millisle Kinder Farm
During the Second World war a derelict farm in Millisle, County Down, would become home to hundreds of Jewish refugee children fleeing the war in Europe.
Dr. William Drennan
Dr. William Drennan, a United Irishman centuries ahead of his time in many ways, comes under the microscope of our lead guide Paul Donnelly.
Belfast and the Cinema (or the ‘Picture House’)
In the 1930s Belfast had over forty picture houses. Here Donzo reminisces about Belfast cinemas like the Winkie, the Alhambra, the Strand, the Hippodrome, the Gaumont and the Curzon.
Donzo’s Ma, Belfast, and the ‘Swinging Sixties’…
Donzo interviews his Ma about Belfast's nightlife before the Troubles really got started...
Barry’s Amusements – The Only Thing To Do In Portrush
All empires crumble and fall and so it seems to come to pass in Portrush, County Antrim.