Irish Heartbeat Tours

Irish Heartbeat Tours gives the opportunity for people to discover the places in NI that has inspired songs such as 'Brown Eyed Girl' and 'Coney Island'.

Van Morrison themed half-day tours available - 'Brown Eyed Girl' Tour & 'Coney Island' Tour - details as follows:

Van Morrison - 'Brown Eyed Girl' Belfast Tour

For more than fifty years Sir George Ivan Morrison has literally provided a soundtrack for the lives of many people from across the world. The 'Brown Eyed Girl' Irish Heartbeat Tour gives the opportunity for people to discover the places in Belfast that has inspired ‘local’ songs such as 'Brown Eyed Girl', 'Bright Side of the Road', 'Cleaning Windows', 'On Hyndford Street', 'Orangefield', 'Madame George', 'A Sense of Wonder' and the iconic 'Cyprus Avenue' plus many others all of which are evocations of his early life.

However, no story of Van Morrison would be complete without the mention of The Maritime Hotel, the birth-place of the Belfast rhythm 'n' blues scene, where Van played with Them singing classics such as 'Gloria' and 'Baby, Please Don't Go'. The Maritime effectively launched the career of Van Morrison and put the city on the musical map. The site of where the Maritime Hotel stood is included on the half-day guided tour. From central Belfast the tour travels across to the heart of Van-Land (East Belfast).

In East Belfast we will take in the following points of interest and a must-see for any Vanatic / Vanorak - East Bread Street, Elmgrove Primary School, Abetta Parade, The Hollow (Beechie River & Connswater), Hyndford Street, Grand Parade, Orangefield Park, Belfast & County Down Railway, Cyprus Avenue and St Donard's Church. (Separate arrangements can be made for those with mobility issues). Along the way there may the chance for some 'soul food' such as a Paris bun, gravy ring, wagon wheel, barmbrack, snowball or even a pastie supper!

The Van Morrison 'Brown Eyed Girl' Irish Heartbeat Tours meeting point is outside the front of the Europa Hotel, Belfast and costs £85 per group tour (industry standard rate). We prefer small intimate groups of 1-4 people but can take further numbers on the portion of the East Belfast walking trail or as a tour-guide on an arranged coach trip. Hotel pick-ups /drop-offs may be available at additional cost.

Van Morrison - 'Coney Island' Tour

In Sir Van Morrison's 1989 album 'Avalon Sunset' he describes a road trip to Coney Island on the Ards Peninsula. His beautifully mundane descriptions of a day out in the south Down area has become one of the most evocative songs ever written about any part of the world. This particular road trip guided tour with the ultimate Celtic soul soundtrack, along with stunning visions of the Mountains of Mourne, has touched the heart of many Van Morrison fans and others. Along the way he name-checks Downpatrick, St John's Point, Strangford Lough, Shrigley, Killyleagh, the Lecale District, Ardglass, and finally, Coney Island.

Follow in the footsteps of a lyrical genius in this half-day guided tour, and depending on availability, perhaps sample some potted herrings in case we get famished before dinner.

The Van Morrison 'Coney Island' Irish Heartbeat Tour normally starts at Downpatrick at the grave of Saint Patrick and costs £85 per group tour (industry standard rate). Hotel pick-ups /drop-offs are available at additional cost (Belfast, Newcastle, Warrenpoint and surrounding areas).

'Coney Island' by Van Morrison

"Coming down from Downpatrick
Stopping off at St John's Point
Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was good
Stopped off at Strangford Lough
Early in the morning
Drove through Shrigley taking pictures
And on to Killyleagh
Stopped off for Sunday papers at the
Lecale district, just before Coney Island

On and on, over the hill to Ardglass
In the jamjar, autumn sunshine, magnificent
And all shining through

Stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of
Mussels and some potted herrings in case
We get famished before dinner

On and on, over the hill and the craic is good
Heading towards Coney Island
I look at the side of your face as the sunlight comes
Streaming through the window in the autumn sunshine
And all the time going to Coney Island I'm thinking,
Wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time"

Full-day combined ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and ‘Coney Island’ Tours available at £160.

New Tour being added.

Van Morrison - 'Tir na nOg'

A lake and garden walk at the National Trust Mount Stewart with a visit to the burial ground Tir na nOg.