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Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges

1,088 Reviews 4.98 out of 5 stars Based on 1,088 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Belfast, Northern Ireland
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from $32.90 per person

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Peace Walls in Belfast
Outside St Mary's Chapel, Belfast
Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges Image 3
Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges Image 4
Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.
160 to 180 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges is one part walking tour, one part street theatre and 100% astounding. It entertains, engages and informs using original songs and lived experience to help you understand the day to day realities of the Troubles.
The tour brings history to life but not in chronological order — instead it builds an immersive picture of a city, its people and its conflicts through a powerful mix of education, storytelling and theatrics.
Participants will visit political murals on both sides of the divide, pass through heavily fortified security gates and stand at the Peace Walls. Along the way, an original song captures the turbulent reality of the times in a way that no history book can.
This tour goes beyond history. It reveals the culture, the humanity and the hidden stories that shaped this city — and the remarkable people who built bridges when others were building walls.
Ideal for anyone interested in history, culture and politics — and unforgettable for everyone.

What's Included

  • Local guide
  • Private tour
  • Visits to key areas including political mural sites, Peace Walls, Cathedral Quarter
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
See 3 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

City Hall
Belfast BT1 5GS, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Rosemary Street
Belfast BT1 1QB, UK

At the First Presbyterian Church - within sight of Belfast City Hall

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Belfast City Hall

We begin at Belfast City Hall — one of the most magnificent civic buildings in these islands. Built at the height of Belfast's industrial power and opened in 1906, it is a statement in stone of a city that was once among the wealthiest and most productive on earth. Belfast built the ships, linen and ropes that supplied the world — and City Hall reflects that confidence and ambition. Walking along the front of the gardens we pause at the statue of Mary Ann McCracken — radical Presbyterian, abolitionist and humanitarian. She represents a hidden radical tradition at the heart of Belfast's story that will resurface at the very end of our tour. From here we walk from opulence and civic grandeur into the heart of West Belfast's working class communities. That journey — from wealth to deprivation, from the centre of power to the margins — is not accidental. Class and economics are central to understanding the Troubles.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Donegall Place

Crossing to the Linen Hall Library — officially The Belfast Library and Society for Promoting Knowledge, founded 1788 — we encounter another product of Belfast's radical enlightenment tradition. A city that was thinking, debating and organising at the very moment revolution was reshaping the western world. We move into Donegall Place and pause. All is not as it seems here. Look carefully and you will find echoes of a past that the city has quietly absorbed into its everyday surface. Streets that once felt very different. A city centre that bore the marks of a conflict that many would prefer to forget. Your guide will help you see what others walk past without noticing — the traces of division that remain hidden in plain sight, written not in stone or bronze but in the ordinary fabric of the street itself. In this city, it is rarely what you see that tells the real story. It is what you don't.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Spirit of Belfast (pass by)

The Spirit of Belfast sculpture stands at the heart of the city centre on Cornmarket — a striking and deliberately ambiguous piece of public art that invites interpretation. Known locally by rather more colourful nicknames, it sits at the junction of one of Belfast's busiest shopping areas, surrounded by the ordinary rhythm of daily city life. But your guide will ask you to look beyond the sculpture itself to what surrounds it — because this unremarkable corner of the city centre holds a story that Belfast has never fully acknowledged. Adjacent to where you are standing, something happened that deserves to be remembered. That it has not been — and why — is a question your guide will answer here. Sometimes the most significant places are hiding in plain sight."
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Madden & Finucane

On the surface, the offices of Finucane Solicitors on Castle Street appear unremarkable — a modest, nondescript building on an ordinary urban street. But appearances can be deceptive, and this is precisely the point. The name Finucane is central to one of the most disturbing and unresolved chapters of the Troubles — the issue of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and the British state. It is a story that challenges comfortable narratives about the conflict and raises profound questions about justice, accountability and truth that remain unanswered to this day. Your guide will explain the full significance of this building and why it matters — not just to Belfast but to our understanding of what the Troubles really were and how they were conducted. It's a very ordinary office until it's not.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Divis

Approaching Divis, we encounter the first mural of the tour — a powerful statement of Irish identity in a community that was deliberately stigmatised and marginalised during the Troubles. The mural depicts Gaelic sports, boxing and an Irish dancer — cultural symbols that represented defiance and pride at a time when that identity was under profound pressure. A reminder that the Troubles were not simply a political conflict but a battle over identity, culture and the right to exist on your own terms. Towering above is Divis Tower — used as a military lookout post during the conflict, its upper floors occupied by the British Army for decades. For the community below, it was a constant reminder of the realities of living through the Troubles. This area carries deep trauma — one such case being featured in the acclaimed Netflix series, 'Say Nothing'.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

International Mural Wall Divis Street

The International Wall on the Falls Road is one of the most remarkable open air galleries in the world. Originally used by Irish Republicans as a political billboard to counter mainstream media narratives, it was designed to destigmatise and decriminalise the armed struggle — connecting Belfast's conflict to injustices across the globe. The murals change constantly, reflecting local, national and international events and causes. No two visits are ever quite the same. The wall represents a tradition of visual storytelling that goes to the heart of what the Troubles were about — the battle for narrative, identity and truth. Standing before it, you begin to understand not just what people were fighting for, but how they fought to be heard. Your guide will help you read between the lines — exploring not just what is depicted, but what is deliberately left out. Sometimes what is absent tells you as much as what is there
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Shankill Road

Passing through large, bolted security gates — effectively a border between Irish and British communities — you enter the Shankill Road, the heartland of loyalist, British-Protestant Belfast. Here, powerful murals tell an entirely different story of identity, loyalty and loss. Depicted across the walls are defining moments of the loyalist tradition — the Battle of the Somme, the signing of the Ulster Covenant, and the Twelfth of July celebrations. The murals also reference the Bayardo Bar atrocity and loyalist paramilitary organisations — a reminder that this community experienced its own profound tragedy and conflict. This is not a tourist trail. It is a living, breathing community with a story that deserves to be heard.
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Peace Wall

These Walls divide the two communities in Belfast. They are approximately 16 metres high topped with mesh to stop petrol bombs. There is plenty of time to photograph and examine the Walls with detailed explanations provided.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bobby Sands Mural

Leaving the Peace Walls, we pass back through new, imposing security gates — another no man's land — returning to the Falls Road. Your guide will explain the story behind their recent construction — a detail that tells you everything about where Belfast truly stands today. Your guide will point out two landmarks that encapsulate the republican experience — the Republican Memorial Garden and the world famous Bobby Sands mural on Sinn Féin's headquarters. Time does not permit a full visit but context will be provided as we pass. As we make our way back toward the city, the iconic Harland and Wolff cranes dominate the skyline — a reminder of a time when Belfast was among the most productive cities on earth. The return journey is as rich as the outward one — economic forces, fractured communities and the bridges quietly built across the divide in boxing gyms, music venues and the unexpected common ground of punk rock.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Hope Chapel Lane (pass by)

Back in Belfast City Centre, we pause at St Mary's Church on Chapel Lane — the oldest Catholic Church in Belfast, dating from 1784 and tucked away on a narrow lane just steps from the busy city centre streets. Modest and easily overlooked, St Mary's rewards those who look closely. Like so much in Belfast, the surface tells only part of the story. Behind its quiet exterior lies a history that connects directly to the radical tradition you have encountered throughout the tour — and one that has remarkable and surprising links to the First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street where our tour concludes. A connection that fundamentally challenges the standard narrative of division in this city — and that has been hiding in plain sight for over two centuries.
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Albert Memorial Clock Tower (pass by)

From High Street we can view Belfast's own leaning tower — the Albert Clock, standing 113 feet tall with a noticeable lean of 4 feet from the perpendicular. But this is more than a quirky landmark. The Albert Clock stands on the exact spot where the original crossing point of the River Farset established the town of Belfast itself. Where the clock stands, the city began. Look closely and you will spot the statue of Prince Albert at its summit — a reminder of the Victorian confidence and imperial pride that built this city. Film enthusiasts may recognise it from the iconic film noir Odd Man Out, starring James Mason, which captured Belfast at one of the most turbulent moments in its history.
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The Belfast Entries (pass by)

Belfast's Entries are narrow historic passageways threading through the city centre — hidden in plain sight, invisible to those who don't know where to look. We meander through them past the sites of revolution, intrigue and rebellion that shaped this city and its radical tradition. And yes, some rather fine pubs too.
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Frederick Douglass Statue (pass by)

On Lombard Street stands a statue of Frederick Douglass — one of the most remarkable figures in the history of human rights. Born into slavery, Douglass escaped to become one of the most powerful orators, authors and abolitionists of the 19th century, and his connection to Belfast is profound and personal. Few visitors to Belfast are aware of that connection — or of the extraordinary story that links Douglass directly to the First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street where our tour concludes. It is a story that will surprise you and that speaks to a Belfast very different from the one defined by division and conflict. His image appears earlier on the International Wall on the Falls Road — one of the murals you will have passed at the beginning of the tour. Standing before this statue near the end of your walk, that earlier image takes on a deeper and more remarkable significance. Your guide will connect the threads.
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First Presbyterian Church

From the outside, First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street gives little away — a modest facade on a narrow city centre street. Step inside and you are transported back to 1783, into one of the most beautiful and unexpected interiors in Ireland — a magnificent elliptical space that once moved John Wesley to marvel from its pulpit. But this is far more than a beautiful building. Everything you have encountered today — Mary Ann McCracken, Frederick Douglass, St Mary's Church, the radical tradition that runs as a hidden thread through Belfast's story — leads here. A congregation that made tremendous stands for civil and religious freedoms at a time when doing so carried real risk. This is a Belfast that contradicts every standard narrative of division. A hidden history that points toward a better future. There is plenty of time to explore and photograph. A wonderful conclusion, five minutes from where we began.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Adult, graphic content - not suitable for children under 14
  • High level of English required
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-68715P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.98
1,088 reviews

Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 1,088 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1,070
4 stars
14
3 stars
0
2 stars
3
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 18 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Local guide.
  • Private tour.
  • Visits to key areas including political mural sites, Peace Walls, Cathedral Quarter.
  • Professional guide.
  • Personalised recommendations from your guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
  • Food and drinks.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Personal expenses.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 15. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Belfast Troubles Tour: Walls and Bridges will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Local guide
  • Private tour
  • Visits to key areas including political mural sites, Peace Walls, Cathedral Quarter
  • Professional guide
  • Personalised recommendations from your guide
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Personal expenses

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Adult, graphic content - not suitable for children under 14
  • High level of English required
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name