1798 A Belfast Rebellion Walking Tour

I am born and bred in Belfast and decided that I wanted to learn a bit about some of our history. My brother and I met with our guide Colin Shaw and began or tour at 10am. Colin was a gentleman, polite, informative and well versed in his craft. His knowledge was superb and his delivery made the 2 odd hours go by effortlessly. Colin not only educated us on days of yore but made connections to more current events. I learned about buildings that I routinely walk past without knowing their secrets and prominence in the history of our great city. What a class way to spend a Saturday morning.

I did this tour yesterday with Colin Shaw. It started at 10 and ended at 1pm. It was around 4km in length. It was really enjoyable. I would suggest a small amount if knowledge about the 1798 rebellion is helpful but not essential. Meet up was easy. Id thoroughly recommend.

We found this company on social media. We arrived early to find Colin waiting for us. He was very welcoming and chatted while we waited for the rest of the group to gather.The tour was well organised and very professionally delivered. Colin was well organised with relevant aids and a superb grasp of the story of the rebellion. He provided great context taking the story back to the Plantation as a start point. The role of education, the enlightenment and the particular economics of the period helped explain the motivations of the key players, He also illustrated how their actions both influenced and were influenced by European and global affairs. Rather than a straight chronological narrative Colin used the geography of the city to introduce characters and events and the importance of place as well as ideas. This engaged the audience and aroused curiosity drawing us deeper into the events of the insurgency. Overall the tour was engaging, entertaining and informative, Colin also provided a reading list for further investigation. He pointed out that one of the books was rather old and could be found on Internet Archive, A very useful direction. This tour good value and a great way to find out about a formative event in history that is grossly overlooked.

Colin was so knowledgeable- this was a really interesting tour about an often forgetten aspect of Belfast’s history which I would highly recommend.

We had a fantastic and very informative walking tour of the Troubles in Belfast. Jim Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and thoughtful, bringing the history to life while providing valuable insight into the events and their lasting impact. A fascinating experience that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Belfast.

Loved it, interesting and detailed. Really engaging and well presented. A good look at an underdiscussed bit of history

Colin was highly knowledgeable and well organized in his tour. He answered our questions with thoughtfulness and humor. Overall it was great craic.

Colin is a VERY knowledgable guide and friendly as well. Worthwhile to get beyond history of simply the 1900s conflict and understand a bit more about the troubles.

Our tour guide, Colin, was excellent and really painted a vivid picture of life in Belfast around 1798 with a mixture of knowledge and humour. We learnt so much about the major players in the Rebellion and so much more! It was a really wet day but even that didn't ruin the experience. We would really recommend this tour.

‘The 1798 – A Belfast Rebellion’ walking tour was absolutely fascinating with Tour Guide Colin Shaw. I’ve long been captivated by the story of the Joy family, particularly Henry Joy McCracken and his sister Mary Ann, so this tour was a must for me. Hearing Colin explain the story while standing in the very streets and entries where Henry Joy walked alongside his fellow United Irishmen and ultimately to the gallows—was a truly unforgettable experience.  Colin’s knowledge, passion, and storytelling brought the people and events of 1798 to life with their philosophy of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.  I almost felt I was a witness to this part of history, listening to the ideals and sacrifices these young men and women made, with a poignant twist at the end that stayed with me ever since. Colin explained the motivations behind the Rebellion and the lasting impact it had on Belfast and its complicated future. A truly remarkable story that deserves to be known and Colin is the perfect person to tell it. Well done DC Tours for another great tour and bringing this important chapter of our history so vividly to life. If like me you love your history, I recommend you book this tour now. M

Fantastic overview of the political situation in 18th-century Ireland and Belfast particularly. Colin provided an insightful background context surrounding the penal laws and other circumstances which brought about the formation of the Society of United Irishmen in Belfast in 1791. Colin's expertise on the subject was evident, yet what he shared was digestible, captivating and done so with a gentle and warm approach, while always encouraging questions. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone with even a passing interest in 18th-century Irish history!

Had a brilliant tour with Mylie as our tour guide her knowledge and story telling were second to none a must do tour if you are in Belfast

I would like to thank Colin for such an engaging and well researched tour. I thought I knew quite a lot about the 1798 rebellion but I was wrong. Colin's depth of knowledge is phemonenal and it was fascinating to see the actual sites where so many important events took place. Thanks also to Colin for the handout he has produced which I will use to find out even more about such an important period in our history.

Our Tour Guide Colin, was so enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge of this incredible time in Irish History, answered all questions and I now have a face and a bio on some of those names mentioned on the Blue Plaques around the city.

Excellent tour, Colin ( guide) was a mine of information on 1798 Rebellion and events leading up to it. I learned so much about the Presbyterian influence and Belfast of the time.

An excellent tour with Colin Shaw who kept us entertained us as he traced the history of the 1798 rebellion through the streets of Belfast. A fascinating period of history was brought alive as we became familiar with the events and characters of the time. A most enjoyable few hours with a very welcome cup of coffee midway through! I can highly recommend this tour.

We took a 1798 walking tour with Colin on the 20th of December. All five of us throughly enjoyed the tour. Colin is a very knowledgable and engaging guide, I would recommend his tour to anyone. Colin brought Belfast in the 1790s back to life! Great characters in the story, and Colin’s a great character himself. Merry Christmas Colin and all the DC team!

A huge thank you to Colin Shaw our guide, who provided a wealth of information about the rebellion, in terms of its historical context, in Ireland and further afield (USA ,France).His knowledge& detail on the key individuals was fantastic. He brought them to life. Highly recommend this tour, looking at a fascinating period in Irish history. Paul

A very informative & interesting walk & talk by Colin. I didn’t know much about this period in history. I intend to read more about it.

So enjoyed this informative tour with Colin. His knowledge was amazing and he brought the streets of Belfast of that era to life. Plus the many stories of the folk from Ireland who tried to change circumstances and ended up in the gallows. Who could you trust? So many names to remember. Would definitely do this tour again but on a warmer day. Loved it.

So glad that we booked this tour, 1798 - A Belfast Rebellion. Colin was so informative and brought the past back to life by talking about key individuals from Belfast who became involved in the United Irishmen's quest for freedom in 18th Century Ireland. Colin skilfully related these Belfast stories to other key events happening in the American War of Independence and the French Revolution. A fascinating and highly enjoyable walk of historic 18th century Belfast

My brothers and I attended a tour led by Colin. He was extremely well briefed and very enthusiastic about his subject matter, as well as engaging and open to questions. It was very very enlightening and in some ways overturned everything I thought I knew about republicanism in Ireland. Highly recommended.

One of the best and well informed tours that I have ever been on. Over 3 hours of pure ‘gold’ detailing background to origins of Belfast, setting the conditions in Ireland, USA and France for revolution, highlighting several of the leaders of the 1798 Rebellion and taking us to hidden parts of 18th century Belfast. Colin was a well informed guide who imparted his knowledge with outstanding enthusiasm. A tour not to be missed! Thank you.

Outstanding. Enjoyable and highly informative. Colins knowledge-sharing on the subject was brilliant and I came away with so much I didnt know.

I thoroughly enjoyed Colin's talk and our walk. Certainly inspired me to read much more about this fascinating time in Belfast's history.

This is a tour to be recommended. Colin, our guide, was clearly an authority on Belfast. Weaving events in the American colonies and revolutionary France into his account, the story of this unique period in the town's history was shared expertly and with humour. The colourful personalities were explained and the use of Colin's picture file to set the scene at various points added to the narrative. It was clear that Colin had a deep knowledge of the period. The context was set superbly at the start and the tour concluded with a thoughtful consideration of '1798 after 1798.' This was a skilled and nuanced tour which would suit anyone interested in the United Irishmen as well as those with no prior knowledge. No bias, no attempt to mislead or take modern political sides. If you are local this is a very worthwhile experience. If you are from the US you will see the American Revolution's influence writ large. Excellent value all round. You will never look at Belfast in the same way again.

To borrow words from Seamus Heaney: “Not to take this tour is to miss the opportunity of understanding what life in this country has meant and could mean in a better future." This is a Belfast story with global reach. It is a potent cocktail of the French Revolution and the American Revolution, with a heady dash of Irish history. With expert knowledge and humour, Colin brings to life the characters, buildings, and politics that have been deliberately understated and hidden for over 200 years. You will learn of Presbyterian radicals, feminist pioneers, revolutionary librarians and eavesdropping bar-maids. This is an extraordinary walk through Belfast city centre, carrying hope for an extraordinary future and the end of all sectarianism. Or at the very least 'something better than we have grown used to'.

An excellent tour which whetted our appetite to know more about this era. Our guide Colin is very knowledgeable about this episode in history and his humour and engaging manner made the tour very enjoyable. Highly recommended.

A truly fantastic walking tour, guided by Colin who's passion and knowledge of all things about the United Irishmen's Rebellion was totally inspirational! What a great story-teller, he brought the main characters to life, and explained the significance of that era to modern Ireland. Very well worth every penny. Lynne B

This walking tour on the 1798 Rebellion was fantastic. Colin was an incredible guide – full of knowledge, a brilliant storyteller and good craic. He brought the history to life and made every stop engaging. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Irish history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Really interesting, very well paced and delivered by Colin, lots of relevant sites visited around the city and all questions answered - I learned a lot.

As someone who grew up in Belfast, I was astonished how much I learned about the history of the city on the 1798 Rebellion tour with DC tours. All the history, the people, the politics brought to life by Colin who navigated us through a fascinating period, vividly illustrated by visits to lots of buildings and places and illustrated with pictures, maps, and stories. A Tour de Force! Thank you Colin

I had already done this tour late last year and it was so good. So when a friend from Glasgow came to stay, I had to take her on the same tour. I was blown away the first time with Colin's knowledge and expertise on the subject, I thought it could not be bettered. But Colin surpassed himself. It was even more amazing with further insights on the main players. The whole tour group were entranced with his stories of Mary Anne McCracken, her brothers Henry Joy and William, her possible lover "The Man from Nowhere" Thomas Russell, Wolfe Tone, William Drennan, Jemmy Hope, Belle Martin and other members of The Muddlers Club. So much I cannot fit it in. This tour should be mandatory for all!

Belfast has such a deep history, and I was so glad to see this new tour offered by DC Tours. I have enjoyed their tours before, and today’s 1798 tour was just as brilliant. Colin’s in-depth knowledge about the period shines through, and we got to envision a different era in the history of the city. The pace was very appropriate and the walking was quite easy. I enjoyed hearing about the United Irishmen movement and the 1798 Rebellion, but also about the personalities of the main “characters.” I also appreciated the effort to highlight the contributions of women to Belfast at the time (sadly, much of that history has been lost). I am someone that knows a good deal of Belfast’s history, but I learned quite a bit of new details thanks to Colin’s insight. Even if you have more interest in the recent history of Belfast and Northern Ireland, I would *highly* recommend the 1798 tour to give you deeper context and understanding of the complex political and cultural history of the island.

Thanks to Colin my knowledgeable guide. This explored a fairly unknown part of Belfast's progressive history when in 1798 many Presbyterians rose up in rebellion against English rule in pursuit of civil and religious liberty.