About the Project
The Belfast Faith Trail, written and directed by acclaimed theatre professional Stephen Beggs, is a cultural heritage initiative celebrating the diversity of faith and belief communities that help shape Belfast’s social and cultural life.
Through a unique combination of storytelling, youth participation, and creative collaboration, the trail explores how different traditions have contributed to the city’s past, present, and future.
By visiting important places of worship and community gathering, participants are invited to learn about the beliefs, histories, and lived experiences of Belfast’s faith communities while discovering the shared values that connect us all.
The project aims to encourage understanding, challenge assumptions, and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue across communities.
Belfast PEACEPLUS
PEACEPLUS is a European Union funding programme designed to support peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building on the work of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes.
PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.
The £15.1m Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan is delivering sixteen projects, across three strategic themes, which will continue to build on peace and reconciliation, connect communities and strengthen good relations.
The Belfast Faith Trail has been supported under the Multiculturalism to Interculturalism project focusing on history, heritage, and sharing different cultural identities through cross-cultural dialogue.
ArtsEkta
Stephen Beggs
ArtsEkta is a multi-award-winning intercultural organisation working across the island of Ireland to build meaningful connections between people, communities and cultures.
At the heart of their work is a simple but powerful belief: that creativity can bring people together, foster understanding and help shape a more inclusive and confident society.
ArtsEkta is also home to Belfast Mela, the largest celebration of cultural diversity on the island of Ireland, which each year welcomes tens of thousands of people to experience the colours, tastes, rhythms and stories of the city’s shared multicultural life.
Stephen is an actor, writer, theatre director and producer. He was a Board member of Tinderbox Theatre Company from 2018 to 2023, four of those years as Chair.
Stephen was Manager of Bruiser Theatre Company from 2002 to 2013 and is joining the Board of the Company in 2024. He facilitates theatre and drama workshops for a wide range of schools and community groups.
He was a founding member of comedy writing and performing team Those Who Can’t and is also the MC for “Pigeon & Plum” Vaudeville Circus Cabaret. Stephen also develops and performs walkabout characters for a variety of public and private events.
The Journey
The Belfast Faith Trail has been developed through a collaborative process involving faith organisations, young people, artists, and community partners.
Young participants worked directly with faith communities to:
Visit important religious and cultural sites
Listen to personal stories and experiences
Document histories and traditions
Co-create immersive content for the trail
This approach ensures the trail reflects authentic voices and lived experiences while giving young people the opportunity to develop new skills, perspectives, and connections.
