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Free walking tour · Falls Road and Shankill Road
Belfast Political Walking Tour: Troubles and Peace
The murals, the Peace Wall and the story of the Troubles, told from both sides of the wall.
About the tour
Highlights
- Belfast's most famous murals, on the International Wall
- The Bobby Sands mural and the republican Falls Road
- The Peace Wall, where you can leave your own message
- Shankill Road, the loyalist neighbourhood, and its murals
- The Bayardo Bar memorial and the story of the bombings
- How the Good Friday Agreement came about
Itinerary
A 2 h 30 min walk through the two neighbourhoods that lived the Troubles, from Falls Road to the Lower Shankill Road. 10 stops in 4 parts; the order may change on some days.
Meeting point: Falls Road
Raidió Fáilte
Look for the blue umbrella outside the Irish-language radio station on Falls Road. We start with an introduction to the history of Northern Ireland so the whole tour makes sense, whether you arrive knowing a lot, a little or nothing at all.
The republican neighbourhood: Falls Road
Divis Tower
The tower block where the poorest Catholic families lived under constant watch from the British Army.
International Wall
The heart of the murals. Here we talk about the origins of the IRA, the bombings in the city and the protests of the political prisoners.
IRA memorial
The garden where the neighbourhood honours its fallen paramilitaries.
Bobby Sands mural
The best-known mural in Belfast. We explain why Bobby Sands is the most important figure in this community.
The Peace Wall
Peace Wall
The wall that still separates the Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods. It is covered in messages of peace, and you can leave yours.
The loyalist neighbourhood: Shankill Road
Shankill Road murals
The less-known side of the conflict: the British loyalists and the murals that honour the paramilitaries of their side.
Bayardo Bar memorial
We talk about the bombings this community suffered and what everyday life was like in such a violent time.
William Conor tribute
The neighbourhood's painter, who immortalised his neighbours in his art.
Murals of unity, Lower Shankill Road
We finish by the murals that celebrate the moments of unity between the communities, the road that led to the Good Friday Agreement. Then we walk you back towards the city centre.
What's included
- A local guide who lives in Belfast
- A 2 h 30 min walking tour
- We walk you back towards the city centre at the end
- Entrance tickets to monuments
- Food and drink
Meeting point
Raidió Fáilte, Falls Road, a 15-minute walk from City Hall. Your guide will be there a few minutes before the start.
Look for the blue umbrella.
Good to know
- What to bring: comfortable shoes and a rain jacket. The weather in Belfast changes quickly.
- Children: they can come, but the tour deals with violence and difficult history, so it isn't designed for young children. For families, the city tour is a better fit.
- Booking: reserve your place on the booking calendar. If your plans change, cancel with the link in your confirmation email so someone else can take the spot.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tour start and finish?
It starts outside Raidió Fáilte on Falls Road (look for the blue umbrella) and finishes on the Lower Shankill Road. At the end we walk you back towards the city centre.
How much should I pay?
Whatever you feel the tour was worth. There is no fixed price and no minimum. Most travellers give between £10 and £20 per person, in cash or by card.
Is it a balanced tour?
Yes. We walk both neighbourhoods, Falls Road and Shankill Road, and tell the story from both sides, with the facts and without taking sides.
What if it rains?
The tour goes ahead whatever the weather. Bring a rain jacket and comfortable shoes.
Is it suitable for children?
They can come, but we talk about violence and painful history. If you're travelling with young children, the city tour is a better choice.
I'm running late. How do I find the group?
Message us on WhatsApp and we'll send you the group's live location so you can join along the way.
Your guides
We are licensed Northern Ireland tour guides who live in Belfast. Some of us grew up with the Peace Agreement; some of us lived through the Troubles. We tell it as it was.
Other tours in Belfast
Belfast Free Walking Tour
City Hall, the Titanic story, the Crown bar, the Cathedral Quarter and the harbour, with a local guide.
Private political tour
Murals, memorials and the Peace Wall with your own guide.
Political tour for students
The Troubles explained with rigour and at the level of your group.
Book the political walking tour
Reserve your place in a minute on our booking calendar.