Belfast Taxi Tour: Explore The City's Past and Murals Through Local Insights
4.9
500 Ratings
Belfast
Immerse yourself in Belfast's troubled past and vibrant street art scene on a private taxi tour. Explore the city's murals, learn about the Troubles, and leave your mark on the largest Peace Wall in Western Europe!
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Falls Road - A visit to the World Famous Murals at the International Wall to learn all about the conflict. Ample photo opportunities-Learn about Belfast’s Dark History! Get a local’s insight into the Troubles that divided Belfast and how they shaped the city and its street art on this intimate street art tour. See colorful murals created by both Nationalist and Loyalist communities, including the celebrated Peace Wall, as you travel around Belfast with ease in your very own Private Transportation!
  • Peace Wall - A visit to See and Photograph the Peace Wall which still divides Belfast to this very day. Write your Name and a Message of Hope on the Wall, other notable signatories include US President Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama
  • Clonard Monastery - See the beautiful Clonard Monastery and where it is situated right in the middle of no-mans land.
  • Clonard Gardens - A visit to the Irish Republican Army C Company Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden in Bombay Street. You will learn a lot of history and how the conflict began in 1969, Address: Bombay Street, Clonard.
    Commemorating: Fallen Volunteers of IRA “C” Company, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade, Oglaigh na hEireann. Civilian casualties from the Greater Clonard area. Deceased Republican prisoners from the Greater Clonard area 1916-1970.
    Commissioned by: Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners’ Association.
    Date unveiled: 20 August 2000
    Notes: Plaques in memory of all Republican prisoners from the area who have died since 1916 were unveiled on 11 March 2001. Annual commemorative march held around 11th March.
  • Shankill Road - View the Loyalist UDA & UVF Murals
    See King William of Orange Aka King Billy Mural
    Take photos
  • International Mural Wall Divis Street - Politically Charged Street Art Murals in Northern Ireland have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region’s past and present political and religious divisions.

Belfast and Derry contain arguably the most famous political murals in Europe. It is believed that almost 2,000 murals have been documented since the 1970s. In 2014, the book, The Belfast Mural Guide estimated that, in Belfast, there were approximately 300 quality murals on display, with many more in varying degrees of age and decay. Murals commemorate, communicate and display aspects of culture and history. The themes of murals often reflect what is important to a particular community. A mural therefore exists to express an idea or message and could generally be seen as reflecting values held dear to that community.

In Irish republican areas the themes of murals can range from the 1981 Irish hunger strike, with particular emphasis on strike leader Bobby Sands; murals of international solidarity with revolutionary groups are equally common, as are those which highlight a particular issue, for example the Ballymurphy Massacre or the McGurk’s Bar bombing. In working class unionist communities, murals are used to promote Ulster loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force and commemorate their deceased members. However traditional themes such as William III of England and the Battle of the Boyne, the Battle of the Somme and the 36th Ulster Division are equally common

  • Shankill Road - The Bayardo Bar attack took place on 13 August 1975 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), led by Brendan McFarlane, launched a bombing and shooting attack on a pub on Aberdeen Street, in the loyalist Shankill area. IRA members claimed the pub was targeted because it was frequented by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Four Protestant civilians and one UVF member were killed, while more than fifty were injured.
  • Bobby Sands Mural - In Irish republican areas the themes of murals can range from the 1981 Irish hunger strike, with particular emphasis on hunger strike leader IRA Volunteer Bobby Sands.
  • St Peter’s Cathedral - Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast. (Irish: Ard Eaglais Naomh Peadar) is the Roman Catholic cathedral church for the Diocese of Down and Connor, and is therefore the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor. It is located in the Divis Street area of the Falls Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland and construction began in the 1860s. It is home to St Peter’s Schola Cantorum (Choir).
  • Cupar Way - The peace lines or peace walls are a series of separation barriers in Northern Ireland that separate predominantly Republican and Nationalist Catholic neighbourhoods from predominantly Loyalist and Unionist Protestant neighbourhoods. They have been built at urban interface areas in Belfast, Derry, Portadown and elsewhere. The stated purpose of the peace lines is to minimise inter-communal violence between Catholics (most of whom are nationalists who self-identify as Irish and Protestants (most of whom are unionists who self-identify as British.
    The peace lines range in length from a few hundred yards to over three miles (5 km). They may be made of iron, brick, and/or steel and are up to 25 feet (8 m) high. Some have gates in them (sometimes staffed by police) that allow passage during daylight but are closed at night.
    The majority of peace walls are located in Belfast, but they also exist in Derry, Portadown, and Lurgan.
  • Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden - Commemorating: Fallen Volunteers of “C” Company, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade, Oglaigh na hEireann. Civilian casualties from the Greater Clonard area. Deceased Republican prisoners from the Greater Clonard area 1916-1970.
  • 56 Sherbrook Cl - photo the armed Loyalist murals
  • Shankill Road Memorial Garden - Visit the Bayardo Memorial Garden on the Loyalist Side
  • Bobby Sands Mural - Visit and Photo the World Famous Mural of Bobby Sands, the Leader of the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike.
  • Garden of Remembrance - Visit and Photo the IRA Belfast Brigade D Company Garden of Remembrance.
  • Falls Road - See the Welcome Wall and Divis Tower Where the British Army had a Sniper’s Nest, this is the Heart of The IRA’s Territory.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Experience the Peace Walls and Gates firsthand
  • Explore political murals like Bobby Sands, Falls Road, and Shankill
  • Complimentary pick-up from Central Belfast
  • Personalized private tour service and itinerary
  • Learn about Belfast’s historical conflict from local guides
  • Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning
  • Stress-free navigation by your driver
  • Efficient round-trip hotel transfers
  • Leave your mark by writing on the Peace Wall
  • Deepen your knowledge of local history and culture
  • Guides who have lived through Belfast’s TROUBLES
  • Handle authentic Plastic and Rubber Bullets from British Crown Forces
What's Not Included
  • Tip for your Guide
  • Upgrade to OUR VIP PACKAGE Top of The Range Luxury Mercedes Benz V-Class for £20(When Available)
  • Pickup or Drop off to Titanic Museum or Crumlin Road Gaol, Lanyon Train Station Extra £10 Cash
  • Cruise Ship Extra £20 Pickup & £20 Drop Back Off Paid in Cash to Your Tour Guide
  • Pickup/drop off at Queen’s University/Botanic gardens/Ulster Museum/St George’s Extra £10
Additional Information

Experience firsthand the impact of Belfast’s Troubles through this immersive mural tour led by a local. Observe the vibrant murals from both Republican/Catholic and Loyalist/Protestant factions, including a trip to the iconic Peace Wall in the comfort of your private vehicle. Explore areas deeply affected by the conflict and gain insights into over 800 years of history. Your guide, equipped with visual support, will paint a vivid picture of life during the Troubles. Your journey includes a visit to the commemorative gardens, and stops at the peace lines and walls where you’ll have the opportunity to leave your signature and a message on the biggest Peace Wall in Western Europe! Umbrellas will be provided should the weather require. Flexible start times ensure this private excursion fits into most itineraries.

  • Tour Start Times8am 9am 10 11am 12 1pm 2 3pm 4 5pm Please indicate which time slot suits you
Location
Leonardo Hotel Belfast - Formerly Jurys Inn
Great Victoria Street
We offer Free pickup from the Leonardo hotel, if you want pickup from anywhere else in Belfast city centre it's further charges each way of between £5-£10 paid directly to your Tour Guide, depending on where you are staying, we will confirm these charges.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(500 Ratings)
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Chris_w
Apr 1, 2024
Excellent tour with knowledgeable guide - This was a fantastic tour. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and he spoke of the history of the Troubles from a place of personal experience, and with respect for different perspectives. I already knew something of the recent history, but I was impressed with how my guide connected it to the broader sweep of Irish history.
Review provided by Viator
Meghana_n
Mar 18, 2024
Great experience - Paula was very knowledgeable and explained the history of the conflict, the murals and answered all our questions. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Clive_h
Mar 18, 2024
Amazing tour. - Absolutely amazing experience with Paula our driver for the tour .Who’s knowledge was First Class.No question was off limits very informative.Well worth doing for anyone visiting Belfast.
Review provided by Viator
Patrick_o
Mar 17, 2024
Understanding the real Belfast. - The knowledge and experience our guide, Barry, shared with my wife and I was fantastic. We experienced the complete story of what Belfast was like during the troubles and today. Thank you so much Barry
Review provided by Viator
Tiffany_r
Mar 11, 2024
Learned a lot! - Loved the way that the tour set up the entire Irish history to explain the reason and state that led to the conflicts in Ireland. Being from the states we only learned big highlights of the conflicts, so it was interesting to hear a different point of view and in better and greater detail.
Review provided by Viator
Maura_k
Mar 3, 2024
Paula did an amazing tour... - Paula did an amazing tour with us. She was very informative and she made the tour very real. The tour was not rushed and she gave us lots of time. It was the highlight of our Belfast trip.
Review provided by Viator
Jack_d
Mar 3, 2024
Great Experience - Great experience and learnt loads we didn't know. Trip was made by Paula who was a brilliant guide. Knowledge, friendly and gave us an all round Great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Diana_m
Feb 25, 2024
Great background on complexities of current and past political tensions - A native Irish husband/wife who leads the van tour. easy in/out at various sites. Passion for sharing the history and complicated nature of the tension politically. Paired well with Martins' 90 minute walking tour. Plenty of time to take pictures. Loved how art is encouraged for expression instead of violence. Husband is fast talker so non-native English speakers may have trouble. Guide was friendly and passionate and proud of Ireland. Highly recommend tour to get the experience of past and present perspectives.
Review provided by Viator
Melissa_f
Feb 3, 2024
Great experience - Really interesting and great value trip. Paula our driver was so knowledgable, approachable and a great guide for the tour. We really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
Macarenascalia
Jan 25, 2024
Paula and the Black Taxi Troubles Tour - Paula was extremely knowledgeable and made this tour unforgettable. She was happy, polite, and very pleasant.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
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May 2024
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