
Friar's Bush Graveyard Belfast
Belfast's oldest Christian graveyard, offering a poignant journey through centuries of history, famine, and faith.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Best for historical insights

Friar's Bush Graveyard Belfast
Best Time
Best for historical insights

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Belfast's oldest Christian graveyard, offering a poignant journey through centuries of history, famine, and faith.
"Mark Doherty's tour guiding is a magical journey back in time!"

🎯 Book a Guided Tour
Highly recommended for a deep dive into history. Tours often include music and local treats! :musical_score: :cookie:
🚶♀️ Explore with Local Guides
Guides are passionate and knowledgeable, making the history come alive. :bulb: :speech_balloon:

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Ancient Christian Burial Site
Discover one of Belfast's oldest Christian graveyards, a silent witness to centuries of history and thousands of lives.

Famine and Penal Times History
Learn about the graveyard's role during the famine and mass burials under penal laws, revealing a poignant chapter of Belfast's past.
Guided Historical Tours
Experience a magical journey back in time with passionate local historians and volunteers who bring the graveyard's stories to life.
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Planning Your Visit
Uncover Belfast's Ancient Roots
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Next time you walk up stranmillis past the Ulster Museum and past Friar's Bush graveyard, just know the road gets narrower as they didn't want to cut into "plaguey hill" and accidently release cholera from the mountain of plague victims buried near the entrance.
🎯 Book a Guided Tour
Highly recommended for a deep dive into history. Tours often include music and local treats! :musical_score: :cookie:
🚶♀️ Explore with Local Guides
Guides are passionate and knowledgeable, making the history come alive. :bulb: :speech_balloon:
Can anyone recommend any lesser-known historical sites or landmarks in Belfast?
Exploring
💰 Support Site Maintenance
Your visit and tour fees help volunteers maintain this significant historical site. :heart: :moneywithwings:
📜 Learn About Early Belfast
Discover the importance of this early burial site and its connection to Belfast's origins. :scroll: :cityscape:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book a Guided Tour
Highly recommended for a deep dive into history. Tours often include music and local treats! :musical_score: :cookie:
🚶♀️ Explore with Local Guides
Guides are passionate and knowledgeable, making the history come alive. :bulb: :speech_balloon:
💰 Support Site Maintenance
Your visit and tour fees help volunteers maintain this significant historical site. :heart: :moneywithwings:
📜 Learn About Early Belfast
Discover the importance of this early burial site and its connection to Belfast's origins. :scroll: :cityscape:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Friar's Bush Graveyard, particularly praising the highly informative and engaging guided tours that bring Belfast's history to life. The passionate guides, atmospheric setting, and added touches like live music and local treats create a memorable experience. It's considered a hidden gem offering a unique perspective on the city's past.
"Toured Friar's Bush graveyard today courtesy of Cairde na Cille CIC. Very informative tour by Deirdre and her team. Talented musicians added a great touch. Hidden gem in Belfast."
Kim Orr
"Mark Doherty's tour guiding is a magical journey back in time! Mark did more then just tell the historical facts he actually transports you back in time long ago! It was an epic tour and then a trip to the pub next door for a lovely treat and chat! EXCELLENT AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
Martin Agnew
"Edit to say there are other providers who I believe are not as good . Make sure that it’s the Fri tour or same group if you go….
I thoroughly enjoyed the new tours around Friars bush graveyard by the local historian and volunteers who have been clearing the site. I discovered so much about the history of Belfast in its early days and the importance of this early burial site , its use during the famine and the 1000s that are buried here, Mass during penal times . I would highly recommend this for anyone. The tour I went in was 11am on a Friday and there is also another one at 2 pm . The history of the local bread maker at his resting place and then enjoying a Belfast bap with local Tayto crisps and a chat with others afterwards was a great end to the trip. Definitely recommend. Currently £10 at the gates ."
Aine Young
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Friar's Bush Graveyard is located on the Stranmillis Road, near the Ulster Museum. It's easily accessible by public transport or a short walk from the city center. Many visitors find it a pleasant walk up Stranmillis Road.
Parking can be limited in the immediate vicinity. It's often recommended to use public transport or consider walking from nearby areas if you're exploring Belfast.
Yes, it's a walkable distance from Belfast city center, taking approximately 20-30 minutes. The walk up Stranmillis Road offers views of other attractions like the Ulster Museum.
If arriving by train or bus, you can take a local bus service towards Stranmillis or a taxi. The graveyard is a well-known landmark in the area.
Yes, Friar's Bush is close to the Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing in Belfast.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While the graveyard itself is accessible, guided tours are highly recommended and usually require a ticket. These tours are essential for understanding the site's history.
Tours are typically around £10 per person, payable at the gate. This fee supports the volunteers who maintain the site and provide the tours.
The graveyard is generally accessible during daylight hours. However, for the full historical experience, it's best to check the schedule for guided tours, which have specific timings.
Yes, you can walk through the graveyard independently. However, a guided tour provides invaluable context and stories that you might miss otherwise.
Tickets are often available for purchase at the gate on the day of the tour, especially for the Friday tours. It's advisable to arrive a little early.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
It's one of Belfast's oldest Christian burial grounds, holding thousands of interments from famine times, penal laws, and earlier periods, offering a unique glimpse into the city's past.
Expect passionate guides sharing stories of historical figures, the graveyard's role during significant events, and often live music with Gaelic instruments. Some tours conclude with local treats.
The graveyard is looked after by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about its preservation. Visits and tours help support their efforts.
While many thousands are buried here, tours often highlight stories of local figures, including a local bread maker, and discuss the broader historical context of those interred.
The road narrowing near the graveyard is linked to historical concerns about plague victims buried nearby, with a belief that disturbing the ground could release illness.
🍽️ 🍴 Food & Dining
Yes, tours often conclude with a visit to a nearby pub for a 'lovely treat and chat' or enjoying a Belfast bap with crisps afterwards, offering a taste of local hospitality.
Some tours include a treat, like a Belfast bap and crisps, as part of the experience, offering a local culinary touch.
The area around Stranmillis Road offers various cafes and pubs, providing options for a meal or a drink before or after your visit.
📸 📸 Photography
The graveyard offers a unique, atmospheric setting for photography, with old headstones and a sense of history. It's particularly evocative during tours with added musical elements.
Early morning or late afternoon light can create dramatic shadows and a more atmospheric feel. However, tours often provide the most engaging narrative for capturing the essence of the place.
Generally, photography for personal use is permitted. However, it's always respectful to be mindful of ongoing tours and any private memorials.
Focus on the textures of old headstones, the atmospheric pathways, and any unique carvings. Capturing the guides during their storytelling can also add a human element to your photos.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's advisable to check with tour providers about age appropriateness and consider focusing on the more engaging historical narratives rather than the darker aspects of the graveyard's history. The proximity to the Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens also provides excellent complementary activities for a family day out in Belfast.
🏛️ History Enthusiasts
Opting for a guided tour led by local historians is essential. These guides provide in-depth knowledge and passionate storytelling that brings the graveyard's complex past to life. The opportunity to learn about the thousands buried here, including specific local figures, provides a profound connection to the city's heritage.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Enduring History of Friar's Bush
Today, the site is lovingly maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about preserving its heritage and uncovering the stories of those interred. They work tirelessly to clear the grounds and research the lives of the people buried there. Guided tours, often led by local historians, are the best way to experience Friar's Bush. These tours don't just present facts; they aim to transport visitors back in time, offering a deeply engaging and emotional connection to Belfast's past.
The experience is often enhanced by the inclusion of live music, frequently featuring Gaelic instruments, which adds a beautiful and evocative layer to the historical narrative. Many tours also conclude with a taste of local culture, such as enjoying a traditional Belfast bap with crisps or a chat in a nearby pub, making the visit a well-rounded cultural immersion.
Experiencing Friar's Bush Through Guided Tours
Travelers consistently praise the guides for their ability to 'transport you back in time,' making the historical facts feel personal and impactful. The tours often incorporate elements beyond just storytelling, such as live music played on traditional Gaelic instruments, creating a unique and moving atmosphere. This blend of history, music, and personal connection is what sets these tours apart and makes them a 'magical journey.'
Furthermore, many tours offer a delightful conclusion with local refreshments, like a Belfast bap and crisps, or a social gathering at a nearby pub. This provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience and connect with fellow visitors and guides. The cost of these tours, typically around £10, directly supports the ongoing efforts of the volunteers who maintain this vital historical site.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit