Meet your local Irish guide and storyteller

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After a successful career in education I set up a tourism business called
Sustainable Journeys Ireland in 2017. Committed to promoting sustainable
tourism and to the adoption of sustainability principles I joined the
Sustainable Giants cluster group within our local council. It comprises a group
of like-minded people who share the same values and vision in relation to
sustainable communities.

I am a local Irish guide and storyteller offering tailormade, specialised walking
tours and coach tours for groups in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We
offer general heritage tours covering subjects including colourful characters,
maritime heritage, Christian heritage, nature and environment. There are
many amazing stories of peoples’ lives and stories of emigration and the

impressive achievements of emigrants who left the area and I have personally
researched this theme on visits to New Zealand and Canada.
My special interests are in people, nature and Christian heritage.  As a
chartered environmentalist and green tourism provider I take great pride in
showing you the most interesting aspects of nature in this region. With
extensive experience as an educator and communicator of knowledge allied to
an expert knowledge of landscapes you will be guaranteed a truly unique
experience covering a wide range of topics from saints to smugglers!

Brigid and Hugh at Slanes Graveyard

What clients said

Simon Calder

Thanks for a fabulous tour, it was great to meet you and appreciate your passion for the Ards Peninsula. You were also so kind to provide elevenses in such a beautiful location. (at the picnic table at Kearney Irish Sea coastline) Simon Calder TV Travel Correspondent for the BBC

Marion Kohl

very knowledgeable tourguide, showed us stunning parts of the countryside with many botanical and geological explanations, also some history Marion Kohl

Green Holiday Cottages

Brigid is a mine of information about all things St Brigid and I loved taking part in the St Brigid’s cross workshop. Green Holiday Cottages

Nigel Stanley

Our walking tour of buildings in the oldest part of Downpatrick with Brigid was informative for all of us, regardless of our previous level of knowledge. She kept the rain off and we also benefited from additional speakers in the Cathedral and The Denver Hotel. A fascinating tour. Nigel Stanley

Sandra Perrett

Brigid took us on a very informative walking tour around Kearney on the Ards Peninsula. We were on a combined tour and picnic arranged by Recharge Workshops.The weather was amazing and the history of Kearney and surrounding areas leading to Quintin Castle was fascinating. Brigid was well prepared and we were all provided with a…

Carol Hatfield

Hi Brigid Thanks so much for the really interesting walks over the last 5 weeks. Having only lived in Northern Ireland for 2 years now, I thought your walks would give me some valuable insight into the history of this area. Wow – that really is the case. From the geology of the area to…

Background information on your tour guide

  • Graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast BSSc (Honours) in Geography/History; MSSc in European Integration; London Southbank University MSc with Distinction in Education for Sustainability
  • Chartered Environmentalist
  • Specialist Tour Guide and Storyteller
  • Green Tourism provider
  • Member of TourGuidesNI, professional tour guiding association
  • World Host Ambassador
  • Secretary of the Friends of Columbanus Bangor
  • Member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences, London
  • Member of the Strangford Lough Steering Group Cluster
  • Associate Director of Portaferry and Strangford Trust
  • Hobbies : Tennis, travel, gardening and research
  • School Governor : 2018-2024
Brigid with a tour group
Roadside stall with honesty box

Our farm

I live with my husband Hugh on our coastal farm overlooking the Irish Sea on the outer Ards Peninsula, County Down.  Over the last ten years we have grown traditional Irish varieties of potatoes and sold them at a roadside stall with an honesty box .Free range eggs are also sold and sometimes free plants are available.  We  have sheep and springtime is a busy season with lambing in full swing. If you visit in April or May you can be photographed with a newborn lamb!

We have participated in several agri-environmental schemes over many years which have enhanced the biodiversity of the natural environment and increased the numbers of birds in species with declining numbers. For example, the population of  yellowhammers (chosen as the business logo) has increased significantly due to measures implemented on our farm and other farms in the region and a wider range of bird species has been recorded in the area. We have planted hundred of native species of trees including an apple orchard of native Irish varieties and a small woodland of native species including hazel, crab apple and bird cherry .

You can visit our farm, meet my farmer husband, learn about the agri-environmental programmes we have participated in and the changes in farming locally over the last century.

Our heritage

This ancient eastern coastal area is endowed with a treasure trove of historic monuments, castles, forts, abbeys, ancient graveyards and churches. You will be taken on a journey through the centuries, connecting you with nature and with our  heritage, folklore and Christianity. You could try your hand at making a St Brigid’s Cross after seeing a demonstration. I enjoy researching and telling the amazing life stories of emigrants from this area who travelled to places such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand and who made a very significant contribution in the countries in which they settled. I have undertaken research in New Zealand and Canada, uncovering some amazing stories and have helped visitors from the USA, Australia and Canada who came here to trace their ancestors.

Looking at a headstone

Why choose a tour with Brigid from Sustainable Journeys Ireland?

  • Superior personal service
  • Authentic and memorable experiences
  • Flexible dates and times for tours
  • Hidden gems off the beaten track
  • Engaging stories of the place and people

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