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Literary Belfast!

Overview

Belfast has a rich literary heritage and an exciting contemporary writing scene to discover!  The city has produced so many great writers, all drawing inspiration from Belfast's knotted and troubled history - C. S. Lewis, Seamus Heaney and Paul Muldoon have all called Belfast home at one point.  Our literary tours include a range of historical visits with a literary focus, allowing students to discover the story behind some of the most famous literary works to come from Irish writers. 

Students will discover the city’s literary heritage along with visits to its most famous attractions. They’ll also have an opportunity to visit Seamus Heaney’s hometown of Derry (also known as Londonderry).

Our literary tour is an exciting mix of history and literature - two things that truly go hand-in-hand in this city! 

You might also consider combining this trip with our Literary Dublin itinerary or another one of our Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland itineraries.

Our Suggested Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Travel by coach and ferry to Belfast.

    Visit the Crumlin Road Gaol for a guided tour of the iconic former prison.

    Learn more about the historical context of the Troubles with a guided walking tour of Belfast’s most notorious areas – the Shankill Road and the Falls Road.

    Check in to your accommodation and settle in.

    Optional evening activity: 10-pin bowling!

  2. Day 2

    Coach transfer to Derry for a guided walking tour of Ireland’s only remaining walled city – discover the scene of the infamous Bloody Sunday of 1972.

    Enjoy some free time in the historic centre of Derry.

    Learn more about one of Ireland’s most notable literary talents with an afternoon visit to the fantastic Seamus Heaney Homeplace.

    Take a bespoke guided tour of Heaney’s native South Derry to find out more about the inspiration behind his works.

  3. Day 3

    Morning visit to the Titanic Belfast to discover the story of the Titanic, from her birth in Belfast to her discovery on the sea bed.  

    Discover everything from WW1 to dinosaurs at the Ulster Museum, the largest museum in Northern Ireland.

    Return ferry crossing and coach travel home.

School Trip Accommodation

Accommodation

We use safe and secure accommodation especially suited to schools.  Our accommodation is usually 2* or youth hostel standard and provides a perfect base for enjoying your tour.  All accommodation we use is audited, and our auditing regime is verified by independent experts.