The Body Bus - full-day body snatching history guided coach tour
Schedule
Fri Jan 02 2026 at 10:00 am to 06:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Belfast Cathedral | Belfast, NI
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RESURRECT THE RESURRECTIONISTS!Join dark historian Andrew Johnston of Alternative Ulstours for the return of our original guided coach tour, as we travel back to Georgian Ireland to explore the ghoulish activities of the body snatchers!
Relive the dreaded reign of the 'resurrection men' and investigate what relics remain of this grimly fascinating era.
Journey across counties Antrim and Down, darkening a series of historic burial grounds frozen in time.
Along the way, confront the terrible tale of infamous Ulstermen Burke and Hare, as well as many lesser-known cases and characters.
Stop 1 - Academy Street, Belfast
• Learn about Belfast's graveyard ghouls Stewart and Feeney near where they wretchedly resided
Stop 2 - Royal Avenue, Belfast
• The notorious William Burke once allegedly spent a fateful evening here on old John Street
Stop 3 - Knockbreda Cemetery, Belfast
• Hear the extreme lengths one scandalous individual went to in order to protect his remains
Stop 4 - Magheradrool Old Graveyard, Ballynahinch
• The gateway to this ancient necropolis held a watch-tower to ward against 'stiffy-lifters'
Stop 5 - High Street, Ballynahinch
• See where local 'resurrectionists' concealed their grim 'merchandise' in a secret chamber
Stop 6 - Shankill Graveyard, Belfast
• Behold the remnants of another watch-house in one of Belfast's earliest burying grounds
Stop 7 - Mallusk Cemetery, Mallusk
• A rare 'resurrection lamp' still stands in this last resting place of rebels and poets
Stop 8 - Templetown Mausoleum, Templepatrick
• Visit the hidden graveyard of Castle Upton, filming location for The Frankenstein Chronicles
Stop 9 - St John's Church of Ireland, Donegore
• Inspect the day's first 'morthouse', atop a neolithic burial mound
Stop 10 - St Saviour's Parish Church, Connor
• A curious 'death house' awaits on the home turf of the feared 'Connor Body Boys' gang
Stop 11 - Rashee Old Cemetery, Ballyclare
• This eerie site contains a morthouse and one of the north's few surviving 'mortsafes'
Stop 12 - Christ Church, Ballynure
• Lurking in County Antrim's second-oldest cemetery is another notable 'corpse house'
Stop 13 - Ballylinney Old Burial Ground, Ballylinney
• Discover the spooky secret of this country graveyard, before returning to Belfast as night falls
Please note:
• The tour starts outside Belfast (St Anne's) Cathedral on Donegall Street in Belfast city centre, where your guide will be waiting for you
• Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time
• The tour will last eight hours and will feature some walking, including on hilly, rough and potentially wet ground
• Please advise us in advance of any relevant mobility issues or health conditions
• The tour ends at Belfast (St Anne's) Cathedral on Donegall Street in Belfast city centre
• The itinerary is subject to change due to unexpected events, local conditions or other circumstances out of our control
• The tour will go ahead in all weathers
• Please wear sturdy, waterproof footwear
• Please wear warm clothing and bring a waterproof coat
• Please bring drinking water and stay hydrated
• A head torch is optional, but may be useful in the event of low light conditions
• There will be comfort and refreshment stops throughout the day (refreshments at own cost)
• There will be a 45-minute lunch stop (lunch at own cost)
• Your guide is a Level 4 'blue badge' tour guide and Visit Belfast industry partner
• The tour is fully insured through Tour Guides NI
Very important:
• The tour is open to all ages, but parental guidance is advised due to the graphic nature of some content. You have been warned!
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Where is it happening?
Belfast Cathedral, St Annes Cathedral (C of I), Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2HB, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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