Belfast political tour
✨ Tour Information ✨
- 💰 Price: You decide the price!
- ⏱ Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🗓 Schedule: 10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m.
- 🇺🇸 Language: English
- 🏷 Ticket: Sent to your email
- 📍 Meeting point:
Belfast City Hall
- 📍 Meeting point:
- 💔 Cancellations: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Belfast Political Tour: Itinerary
Discover the history of Belfast through its murals and neighbourhoods with our Belfast Political Tour ! Learn about the city’s most challenging periods, the legacy of The Troubles, and how communities today reflect on their past.
“<<A nation that has one eye on the past is wise. A nation that has both eyes on the past is blind.>>” – Khalil Gibran.
Starting the Belfast political tour: Meeting at Belfast City Hall
Our Belfast Political Tour begins at the iconic Belfast City Hall. Look for a blue umbrella on the main gate. Here, you’ll get a brief introduction to the history of Northern Ireland, giving you the context to fully appreciate the tour.
After centuries of British rule, Ireland rose up in 1916. Most of the island gained independence, but the Ulster region, with 69% Protestant population, remained in the UK. This division will lead to the start of The Troubles, a period of conflict from 1969 to 1998. This is a horrific period that scarred the northern Irish population.
During the tour, we will visit both Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods to explore different perspectives of The Troubles.
Belfast Political tour: Let´s go to the Republican Neighborhood & Murals Area
After the intruduction at the city hall, we head to Falls Road, the heart of the Catholic community and home to Belfast’s most famous murals. Here, you’ll learn about the culture, language, and history of the neighborhood.
We visit Divis Tower, where the army stood until 2005, and walk along the International Wall, or ‘murals area’, to explore the origins of the IRA, historical attacks, and political prisoner protests. A stop at the Memorial to IRA members and the Bobby Sands mural completes the Republican side experience.
Belfast political tour: The Peace Wall
We will cross the Peace Wall of Belfast, separating neighborhoods to prevent hostilities. Locals leave messages of peace here, and visitors can also leave a small signature. Exploring the Peace Wall is a key part of understanding Belfast’s political history.
Belfast political tour: Protestant Neighborhood – Shankill Road.
We visit Shankill Road, the Protestant neighborhood most affected during the conflict. Explore the side of Belfast rarely shown, learn about unionist communities, and see murals honoring paramilitaries and victims. Visit the Bayardo Pub Memorial and learn about the history of this community.
We conclude with murals celebrating unity and art by William Conor. Thanks to moments of reconciliation, the Good Friday Agreement ended the conflict.
End of the Belfast political tour: Return to City Centre
From here, we will accompany you back to the city center. Although the tour ends at Lower Shankill Road, we will escort anyone who needs it back to the main street connecting to City Hall. We do not recommend stay at this area at night.
The Belfast Political Tour gives context to the city’s past while allowing safe exploration of its history.
Reviews of our Belfast political tour
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Belfast Political & Murals Tour
📅 When should I book the Belfast Political & Murals Tour?
We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. During high season, spots fill quickly, and in low season, we need a minimum number of participants to run the tour.
⏱ How can I contact the guide if I arrive late?
Simply send a WhatsApp message, and we’ll share a live location so you can find the group easily.
💳 Can I pay in euros?
No, but a card machine (POS) is available for convenient payments.
👨👩👧👦 Is the Belfast Political & Murals Tour suitable for children?
Children can join, but the tour covers periods of conflict and difficult history. It is acceptable but may not be engaging for younger kids.
🚶♂️ What happens after the tour?
Guides can accompany you back to City Hall if needed. We also provide our famous “extra stop” for a more complete experience.
🍽️ Dining and Pub Recommendations
After your tour, explore Belfast’s culinary and pub culture:
- Dinner: Fish City, Stix & Stones, Whites Tavern
- Irish Pubs / Drinks: Kelly’s Cellar, Crown Liquor Saloon, Whites Tavern
✨ Tour Information ✨
- 💰 Price: You decide the price!
- ⏱ Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
- 🗓 Schedule: 10:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m.
- 🇺🇸 Language: English
- 🏷 Ticket: Sent to your email
- 📍 Meeting point: Belfast City Hall
- 💔 Cancellations: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Belfast Political Tour: Itinerary
Discover the history of Belfast through its murals and neighbourhoods with our Belfast Political Tour ! Learn about the city’s most challenging periods, the legacy of The Troubles, and how communities today reflect on their past.
“<<A nation that has one eye on the past is wise. A nation that has both eyes on the past is blind.>>” – Khalil Gibran.
Starting the Belfast political tour: Meeting at Belfast City Hall
Our Belfast Political Tour begins at the iconic Belfast City Hall. Look for a blue umbrella on the main gate. Here, you’ll get a brief introduction to the history of Northern Ireland, giving you the context to fully appreciate the tour.
After centuries of British rule, Ireland rose up in 1916. Most of the island gained independence, but the Ulster region, with 69% Protestant population, remained in the UK. This division will lead to the start of The Troubles, a period of conflict from 1969 to 1998. This is a horrific period that scarred the northern Irish population.
During the tour, we will visit both Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods to explore different perspectives of The Troubles.
Belfast Political tour: Let´s go to the Republican Neighborhood & Murals Area
After the intruduction at the city hall, we head to Falls Road, the heart of the Catholic community and home to Belfast’s most famous murals. Here, you’ll learn about the culture, language, and history of the neighborhood.
We visit Divis Tower, where the army stood until 2005, and walk along the International Wall, or ‘murals area’, to explore the origins of the IRA, historical attacks, and political prisoner protests. A stop at the Memorial to IRA members and the Bobby Sands mural completes the Republican side experience.
Belfast political tour: The Peace Wall
We will cross the Peace Wall of Belfast, separating neighborhoods to prevent hostilities. Locals leave messages of peace here, and visitors can also leave a small signature. Exploring the Peace Wall is a key part of understanding Belfast’s political history.
Belfast political tour: Protestant Neighborhood – Shankill Road.
We visit Shankill Road, the Protestant neighborhood most affected during the conflict. Explore the side of Belfast rarely shown, learn about unionist communities, and see murals honoring paramilitaries and victims. Visit the Bayardo Pub Memorial and learn about the history of this community.
We conclude with murals celebrating unity and art by William Conor. Thanks to moments of reconciliation, the Good Friday Agreement ended the conflict.
End of the Belfast political tour: Return to City Centre
From here, we will accompany you back to the city center. Although the tour ends at Lower Shankill Road, we will escort anyone who needs it back to the main street connecting to City Hall. We do not recommend stay at this area at night.
The Belfast Political Tour gives context to the city’s past while allowing safe exploration of its history.
Reviews of the Belfast Political Tour
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Belfast Political & Murals Tour
📅 When should I book the Belfast Political & Murals Tour?
We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. During high season, spots fill quickly, and in low season, we need a minimum number of participants to run the tour.
⏱ How can I contact the guide if I arrive late?
Simply send a WhatsApp message, and we’ll share a live location so you can find the group easily.
💳 Can I pay in euros?
No, but a card machine (POS) is available for convenient payments.
👨👩👧👦 Is the Belfast Political & Murals Tour suitable for children?
Children can join, but the tour covers periods of conflict and difficult history. It is acceptable but may not be engaging for younger kids.
🚶♂️ What happens after the tour?
Guides can accompany you back to City Hall if needed. We also provide our famous “extra stop” for a more complete experience.
🍽️ Dining and Pub Recommendations
After your tour, explore Belfast’s culinary and pub culture:
- Dinner: Fish City, Stix & Stones, Whites Tavern
- Irish Pubs / Drinks: Kelly’s Cellar, Crown Liquor Saloon, Whites Tavern
Your Tour guides for the belfast political tour
We want to be your Trusted Guide in Ireland. At Tours por Belfast, we achieve this by bringing together the best guides as a team.
Let us introduce ourselves!
Born and bred in Belfast, Jessica has worked as an extra in Game of Thrones and is an exceptional guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
Charming and cheerful, Michael has spent years working in the Titanic Quarter and is now a true expert on the entire city.
After his experience working as a tour guide in Scotland, this talented tour guide has come back to Belfast to show you the best and the hidden of the city
Belfast political tour: a little bit of context.
Belfast is divided into Two Communities
- Catholics: Descendants of native Irish. Identify as Republicans, seeking a united Ireland.
- Protestants: Descendants of British settlers (mainly English & Scottish). Identify as Unionists, wanting Northern Ireland to remain in the UK.
Celebrates the patron saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the island in the 5th century. It also symbolizes Irish pride and the country’s cultural heritage: its language, music, folklore, and traditions.
Celebrates the victory of the Protestant King William of Orange over the Catholic James II in 1690. This is a holiday for the Protestant and Unionist community, with parades, bands, and bonfires the night before, where the Irish flag is burned.
Belfast: some key events during the conflict
Civil Right March
Through it, Catholics protested to demand the right to work, housing, and the vote.
March in Derry/Londonderry
The protest called for an end to discrimination against Catholics in housing and voting, but the police (RUC) dispersed it violently, leaving many injured.
Images of the repression spread widely, causing outrage and marking the beginning of the period known as The Troubles, according to several historians.
Battle of the Bogside
he confrontation pitted the nationalist Catholic community of Bogside, in Derry, against the Protestant police and loyalist paramilitaries, and was triggered by an attack on a civil rights march.
The violence and chaos resulted in street clashes, leaving many injured.
The British government responded by deploying large numbers of troops to the area, aiming to restore order..Internment Without Trial Act and Operation Demetrius
Bloody Sunday
During a march organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) to protest internment without trial, clashes broke out between demonstrators and the British Army, which opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing 14 people.
The exact circumstances were highly controversial and later led to trials over the use of excessive force.
Bloody Friday
The Bloody Friday occurred on July 21, 1972, in Belfast, when the Provisional IRA detonated 20 bombs in just over an hour, killing 9 people and injuring more than 130.
The attack was carried out as a show of force to pressure the British government during The Troubles. As a result, the military and police presence in the city increased, and sectarian tension between the Protestant and Catholic communities intensified.
Prison Protests and Hunger Strikes
Republican prisoners staged protests and hunger strikes to demand recognition as political prisoners, which granted them privileges such as not wearing prison uniforms and not performing prison work.
The most well-known hunger strike occurred in 1981, led by Bobby Sands, who died after 66 days without food.
Good Friday Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement brought an end to The Troubles in Northern Ireland, establishing power-sharing government, the disarmament of armed groups, civil rights guarantees, and cooperation between Ireland and the United Kingdom. It was ratified through referendums in both parts, significantly reducing violence.
Our recommendations after the Belfast political tour
Books about the Troubles in Northern Ireland
Say Nothing – Patrick Radden Keefe
After the Political Tour, this reflection helps you understand the conflict from a human perspective.
It tells the story of Northern Ireland through the lives of real people — spies, militants, victims, and families torn apart by decades of violence.
Instead of focusing solely on politics or historical facts, it highlights how the Troubles shaped ordinary life: the fear people lived with, the difficult decisions they faced, and the emotional scars that remained long after the violence ended.
It offers a deeper insight into what you’ve just explored on the streets of Belfast and helps connect the places you visited with the personal stories behind them.
The Dirty War – Martin Dillon
This book is a more advanced read than the previous one, but it remains one of the most complete and balanced works available on the Northern Ireland conflict. It’s ideal for readers who want a deeper understanding of the Troubles, though it isn’t designed for beginners and is available only in English.
If you’re looking for something easier to follow but still engaging — and perfect as a companion to our Belfast Political Tour — you’ll find excellent alternatives in the recommendations above and below.
TV Shows and movies
Belfast Travel tips
Which document do I require to visit Belfast?
If you’re from Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, or Latin America, you’ll need an ETA to visit the UK. Most other nationalities require a visa.
What is the weather like in Belfast?
Belfast isn’t extremely cold, but it’s very windy and often rainy. It’s best to dress warmly and in layers — the weather can change every half hour.
What about transportation in Belfast?
Public transport includes the Translink bus and the Glider. Additionally, Uber and Fonacab offer private rides at very reasonable rates.
