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Belfast: The Troubles Walls & Bridges Guided Walking Tour
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 3h
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
Overview
- Discover the history of The Troubles on a guided walking tour in Belfast
- Learn about both perspectives of the political and cultural divide
- Hear true personal stories on the lived experiences of the people of Belfast
- Admire the colourful murals that adorn the peace walls between areas
- Explore the city centre of Belfast, and learn about its contemporary character
Activity location
- Belfast
- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Donegall Square N, Belfast BT1 5GS, UK | Meet your guide on the pavement outside the large railings of Belfast City Hall. The guide will be located outside the grounds of the City Hall on the pavement beside a blue information table. The guide wears green and carries a large green and white golf umbrella. There is a small blue information board positioned between two large, black, ornamental lamp posts. Across the road is the main shopping avenue. Some map applications are directing people to Donegall Square West where the buses park. The meeting point is directly between two large ornamental lamp posts. If you look through the railings into the grounds of the City hall, you will see a large statue of Queen Victoria. Across the road, there are shops and a Nationwide Building Society. If you cannot see the guide or meeting point, you may be at the back of the City Hall as some satellite location devices misdirect people there.
- Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
Check availability
Belfast: The Troubles Walls & Bridges Guided Walking Tour
- 3h
- English
What's included, what's not
- Walking tour
- Guide
- Headsets for larger groups
- Food and drinks
Know before you book
- Not suitable for: Children under 14 years
- In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
What you can expect
Discover the history of Belfast and The Troubles on a 3 hour guided walking tour with a local guide. Learn about the history of division that sparked the Troubles as you explore local neighbourhoods. This tour is not a standard sightseeing or walking tour. It is a deep dive into the history of the political divisions that lead to the Troubles. It details key events from our troubled past but it also looks forward. Discover the bridges that have always been built between the two communities. On the tour you will see Political Murals, Security Gates, the Peace Walls and also a Post Box and a 24 Hour Garage. Greater truths can be learnt from what is hidden in plain sight or what is out of view. The tour aims to place the Troubles and Belfast in context of a fast changing world. It reflects our humanity and sometimes our lack of humanity.
Walk from Belfast City Hall towards Divis and the Falls Road, the Irish part of West Belfast. Along the way, listen to a detailed commentary that provides a historical context with a human touch. At Divis learn how the Conflict exploded with mobs and housing set ablaze. Walk to Divis Tower and see the first mural, a statement of pride in Irish and local identity.
Stroll towards the vibrant and colourful International Wall comprising political murals which change to reflect local and world events. Cross to the British Shankill Area. You will move through heavily fortified Security Gates which act as a Border between the Irish and British Communities. Walk towards the Peace Walls. Learn the background to their creation and also why they are still standing. This is a working class area that was never intended as a tourist attraction. The tour reflects some of the tragedies that occurred and contains some graphic detail which is not suitable for children under 14.
At the Peace Walls, there is plenty of time for photographs. Wander back to the Irish Falls Road, walking through more heavily fortified Security Gates to the sound of an Irish ballad. As you look back, observe again the Gates and the Walls that tower over them. Returning to the Belfast City Centre, learn about the Economic and Political backdrop to the Peace Process. The tour aims to reflect another side to Belfast the people who lived lives dedicated to building bridges, musicians, boxers and historians.
Back in Belfast City Centre, marvel at a beautiful Victorian Building repurposed as a Arts Venue reflecting Belfast today; a vibrant city full of character, creativity, and hope for the future. The tour finishes in a Historical Church which sits at the Centre of Irish History and which confounds binary stereotypes about Belfast and its people.
The tour is 3 hours long and starts and finishes in Belfast City Centre. The logistics are such that we cannot visit the Shankill Road but do visit the Shankill Area. There are opportunities for photographs but the purpose of the tour is to provide detail and explanation. Listening Sets are provided.
Location
Activity location
- Belfast
- Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Donegall Square N, Belfast BT1 5GS, UK | Meet your guide on the pavement outside the large railings of Belfast City Hall. The guide will be located outside the grounds of the City Hall on the pavement beside a blue information table. The guide wears green and carries a large green and white golf umbrella. There is a small blue information board positioned between two large, black, ornamental lamp posts. Across the road is the main shopping avenue. Some map applications are directing people to Donegall Square West where the buses park. The meeting point is directly between two large ornamental lamp posts. If you look through the railings into the grounds of the City hall, you will see a large statue of Queen Victoria. Across the road, there are shops and a Nationwide Building Society. If you cannot see the guide or meeting point, you may be at the back of the City Hall as some satellite location devices misdirect people there.
- Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom