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A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

3,200 Reviews 4.97 out of 5 stars Based on 3,200 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 42 (23) days in advance.

2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Over 2 hours and 30 minutes, our local expert guides will take you on a journey back in time through the city centre of Belfast. You will discover how 'the Troubles' started, visit the locations where some of the most important events occurred, and learn about the path to reconciliation and eventually peace (and the challenges the future may hold). You will discover the realities of growing up and living your life during the conflict, and how it touched everyone. The tour is factual and historically accurate to ensure it is unbiased, the guides are conflict historians, who also weave their own stories into their tours to bring history to life, transporting you back to the Belfast of the 1970s and giving you a unique understanding of the recent past. The tour starts each day at 10.30am.

What's Included

  • N-depth historical commentary
  • Visits to key historical locations
  • Local guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Donegall Square North
Belfast BT1 5GS, UK

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

End point

Belfast BT1 3NB
UK

The tour ends at the Beacon of Hope on Oxford Street, from here it is just a 5 minute walk back to 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

In the grounds of Belfast City Hall your guide will introduce you to the tour and also give an introduction to the history of the Troubles. The introduction sets the scene for the rest of the tour, explaining the centuries old relationships between the British and the Irish and how and why the Troubles started in the late 1960s.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Donegall Place

Today Belfast's main shopping street may look like any other British or Irish city, but it hides a troubled past. Your guide will explain the story behind a bomb attack on a nightclub here in 1971, the tragic events which followed and the introduction of what became known as the 'Ring Of Steel'.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Castle Lane

Our next stop is in the heart of the pedestrian precinct. In what is now a bustling shopping street you will discover the realities of our lives at the height of the troubles, and the details of an event which still lives prominently in our minds to this day.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Spirit of Belfast

The Spirit of Belfast is an artwork which is intended to evoke the resilience of the people of Belfast, but we just know it as 'the Onion Rings'. As we stand in its shadow your guide will introduce you to a series of events which started in a bar nearby in 1971. These were to prove the catalyst in propelling Northern Ireland into a rapidly escalating spiral of violence.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cathedral Quarter

As you walk through the newly regenerated Cathedral Quarter, at the heart of our cultural and nightlife district, your guide will introduce you to the stories of more significant events while also discussing the beginnings of the path to peace. Today the streets and alleys of the Cathedral Quarter are home to fantastic examples of street art and some of our best bars and nightspots, but through the powerful story-telling of the guide you will be transported back in time and realise how far we have come since the dark days of the 1970s.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Ann Street

Whilst standing beside the largest police station in Belfast you will discover how Northern Ireland was policed during the troubles, how it has changed since the peace agreement and the potential impact of Brexit on our borders!
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Nuala with the Hula

We end the tour by the Waterfront on the banks of the river Lagan and the Beacon of Hope, our favourite piece of public art which champions our resilience and regeneration. Here we will compare Belfast today with one of the darkest days in our history, explain how we achieved our fragile peace and discuss what the future may hold.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved (1.5 miles)
  • Minimum age is 12 years

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour?

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). 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?

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Activity code: C-50813P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.97
3,200 reviews

Average 4.97 out of 5 stars based on 3,200 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
3,121
4 stars
66
3 stars
10
2 stars
1
1 star
2
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 42 (23) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • N-depth historical commentary
  • Visits to key historical locations
  • Local guide
  • Headsets to hear the guide clearly
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved (1.5 miles)
  • Minimum age is 12 years
  • The tour will take place regardless of the weather. Please check the forecast and dress accordingly
  • A waterproof jacket is recommended just in case of showers, as is warm clothing during the winter months
  • Belfast City Center is completely flat, so no hills or steps are involved. However, comfortable footwear is advised
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers

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