• City Hall - The tour begins at Belfast City Hall, a stunning civic building that stands as a testament to the city’s industrial might. Completed in 1906, it symbolizes a time when Belfast was a global leader in shipbuilding, linen, and rope production. The City Hall embodies the city’s confidence and ambition. In the gardens, the statue of Mary Ann McCracken, a radical Presbyterian, abolitionist, and humanitarian, highlights Belfast’s hidden radical tradition, which will be revisited at the tour’s conclusion. The journey continues from the grandeur of City Hall to the working-class communities of West Belfast, illustrating the economic and class disparities central to understanding the Troubles.

• Donegall Place - Crossing to the Linen Hall Library, officially The Belfast Library and Society for Promoting Knowledge, founded in 1788, visitors encounter another product of Belfast’s radical enlightenment. The city was a hub of thought, debate, and organization during a time of global revolution. In Donegall Place, echoes of a past conflict are subtly woven into the city’s fabric, often unnoticed by passersby. The guide will reveal the hidden traces of division, emphasizing that in Belfast, the true story often lies in what is unseen.

• Spirit of Belfast - The Spirit of Belfast sculpture, located in Cornmarket, is a striking piece of public art that invites interpretation. Known locally by colorful nicknames, it sits amidst one of Belfast’s busiest shopping areas. The guide will encourage looking beyond the sculpture to uncover a story that Belfast has yet to fully acknowledge. This corner of the city holds an event that deserves remembrance, and the guide will explain its significance.

• Madden & Finucane - The offices of Finucane Solicitors on Castle Street may appear ordinary, but they are central to a significant and unresolved chapter of the Troubles involving collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the British state. The guide will explain the importance of this building and its relevance to understanding the Troubles.

• Divis - Approaching Divis, the first mural of the tour is encountered, depicting Irish identity through Gaelic sports, boxing, and an Irish dancer. These cultural symbols represented defiance during the Troubles. Divis Tower, used as a military lookout, looms above, reminding the community of the conflict’s realities. This area carries deep trauma, as highlighted in the Netflix series ‘Say Nothing’.

• International Mural Wall Divis Street - The International Wall on the Falls Road is a remarkable open-air gallery. Initially used by Irish Republicans to counter mainstream media, it connects Belfast’s conflict to global injustices. The murals change frequently, reflecting various events and causes. The wall embodies the battle for narrative, identity, and truth during the Troubles. The guide will help interpret the murals, exploring both what is depicted and what is omitted.

• Shankill Road - Entering Shankill Road through security gates, visitors find themselves in the heart of loyalist, British-Protestant Belfast. Murals here tell stories of identity, loyalty, and loss, depicting events like the Battle of the Somme and the signing of the Ulster Covenant. This community’s story, marked by tragedy and conflict, deserves to be heard.

• Peace Wall - The Peace Walls divide Belfast’s communities, standing 16 meters high with mesh to prevent petrol bombs. Visitors have time to photograph and learn about the Walls.

• Falls Road - Returning to the Falls Road through new security gates, the guide explains their recent construction, reflecting Belfast’s current state. The Republican Memorial Garden and the Bobby Sands mural on Sinn Féin’s headquarters are highlighted. The return journey showcases economic forces, fractured communities, and bridges built across divides in unexpected places.

• Hope Chapel Lane - At St Mary’s Church on Chapel Lane, the oldest Catholic Church in Belfast, visitors discover a history connected to the radical tradition encountered throughout the tour. This connection challenges the narrative of division in Belfast.

• Albert Memorial Clock Tower - The Albert Clock, Belfast’s leaning tower, stands where the city began. It symbolizes Victorian confidence and imperial pride. Film enthusiasts may recognize it from the film noir Odd Man Out.

• The Belfast Entries - Belfast’s Entries are historic passageways filled with sites of revolution and rebellion. They also house some fine pubs.

• Frederick Douglass Statue - On Lombard Street, the statue of Frederick Douglass, a former slave and abolitionist, highlights his profound connection to Belfast. The guide will connect this story to the First Presbyterian Church, challenging the narrative of division.

• First Presbyterian Church - The tour concludes at First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street, a beautiful building with a rich history of civil and religious freedoms. This hidden history points to a hopeful future for Belfast.

• Private tour
• Professional guide
• Local guide
• Personalised recommendations from your guide
• Visits to key areas including political mural sites, Peace Walls, Cathedral Quarter

• Gratuities
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Personal expenses

Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges is a unique blend of walking tour and street theatre, offering an experience that is 100% captivating. It entertains, engages, and educates through original songs and personal experiences, providing insight into the everyday realities of the Troubles.
The tour vividly brings history to life, not in a chronological sequence, but by creating an immersive depiction of a city, its inhabitants, and its conflicts through a compelling combination of education, storytelling, and theatrics.
Participants will explore political murals from both sides of the divide, navigate through heavily fortified security gates, and stand at the Peace Walls. Throughout the journey, an original song encapsulates the turbulent reality of the era in a way that no history book can.
This tour transcends history, unveiling the culture, humanity, and hidden stories that shaped this city, highlighting the extraordinary individuals who built bridges while others constructed walls.
Perfect for those interested in history, culture, and politics, and unforgettable for everyone.

• Adult, graphic content - not suitable for children under 14
• High level of English required

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.