Van Morrison’s
East Belfast Walking Tour
Van Morrison’s East Belfast Walking Tour
Thursday 5 February, 11am-1pm
Van Morrison is undoubtedly among the most-distinguished musicians of our times. He celebrated his 80th birthday in 2025, released a new album in June 2025, Remembering Now, and another in January 2026, Somebody tried to sell me a Bridge. He continues to tour and perform extensively. His songs are loved by people around the world.
On this gentle two-hour walking tour, we will explore Van Morrison’s East Belfast. We will walk around the around the area he grew up in, see the parks he played in, the primary school he went to and the house he first lived in. There are now plans to open a small museum at Van Morrrison’s former home at 125 Hyndford Street. Many of the streets and place names we will encounter, will be familiar to us from the lyrics of many Van Morrison songs: including The Hollow, ‘Beechie River’, Hyndford St, Cyprus Avenue, Donard Church and more. Van’s home area shaped the musician, and he pays tribute to it and reminisces about it in his songs. The tour will also reference the area’s history and industrial heritage.
A soundtrack of short Van Morrison music clips will be played along the way. Your guide experienced and fun guide will also mention several other musicians with links to this part of the city.
Each guest will receive a copy of the ‘Mystic of the Easts’ booklet, that includes a map of the area, with information on many of the tour’s key stops.
Please meet outside Café Nero at the Eastside Visitor Centre on Newtownards Road for 11am. The tour will conclude back there for 1pm. The tour is delivered by Creative Tours Belfast for EastSide Partnership.
Artwork image by Glen Molloy.
Tickets cost £19 (plus bf) per person and may be purchased here.
Practical Details
Please meet outside Café Nero at the Eastside Visitor Centre on Newtownards Road for 11am
Advanced booking is required and can be made up to a hour before the departure time.
The tour will take place in all weather – and Belfast weather is changeable! Please come prepared.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. We will walk around two miles on mainly flat terrain, but with some cobbled street.
Van Morrison’s
Belfast
Taxi/Minibus Tour
Van Morrison’s Belfast
A Tour by Coach or Taxi
Van Morrison, born in Belfast, is undoubtedly among the most-distinguished musicians of our times. He celebrated his 80 th birthday in 2025, released new albums in June 2025, Remembering Now, and in January 2026, Somebody tried to sell me a Bridge. He continues to tour and perform extensively. His songs are loved by people around the world.
We have developed a special tour of Belfast, by taxi or minibus, that includes a gentle walking tour, to let you best explore the city and places connected with Van Morrison. Once we meet, we will travel to East Belfast, the industrial heart of the city, and the area where Van Morrison was born. We will take an easy 40-minute walk, of under one mile, to see:
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The house on Hyndford Street where Van Morrison first lived (soon to become a museum)
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A mural tribute to the artist at the back of his first home
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‘The Hollow’, an open space where two streams join, that he played in as a boy - mentioned in most of his most popular songs, ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’, and
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The primary school he attended.
Van Morrison was shaped by his home area, and he pays tribute to it and reminisces about it in many of his songs. We will also take in the Beersbridge Road, Donard Church, Orangefield and Cyprus Avenue, all places referenced in the musician’s lyrics.
The tour will also reference East Belfast’s industrial heritage, including the shipyard where Van Morrison’s father worked. Several other musicians of note, including two great guitarists with links to this part of the city, Gary Moore and Eric Bell, will also be mentioned.
Leaving East Belfast, we will travel to see other locations in the city to learn why they are important to Van Morrison’s story. These will include:
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Queen’s University Belfast
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The Grand Opera House
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The location of ‘The Maritime Hotel’ and Club Rado
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The Waterfront Hall
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Belfast City Hall
The route will also take in other venues in the city where Van Morrison has performed, including the Ulster Hall and The Limelight. The tour will conclude with a visit to the Oh Yeah Music Centre, to view its Northern Ireland Music Exhibition and its display case of Van Morrison memorabilia.
A soundtrack of clips of Van Morrison’s songs will be played along the way.
The Tour usually lasts for three hours. This includes the gentle 40-minute mini-walking tour in East Belfast (less than one mile), two photo stops, and a 20-minute visit to the Oh Yeah Music Centre.
We can arrange a convenient city centre location to collect you by taxi or coach and the tour usually ends with the visit to the Oh Yeah Music Centre, in the Cathedral Quarter.
Email to enquire about dates and prices:
creativetoursbelfast@gmail.com
