belfast political tour

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Belfast Political Tours

Understanding Belfast's troubled past, experience living history, and explore the city through the eyes of those who lived, worked, and fought through these turbulent times

Unknown to most, modern-day Belfast remains a divided city. Forty kilometers of a physical wall, up to ten meters high in some locations separate two religious communities living side by side. For more than thirty years, the controversial time known as "The Troubles" has had a powerful impact on the city and its residents. Very few people, if any, were unaffected by the violence that plagued the area and everyone has a story to tell.

This is a unique opportunity to discover the real story you won't get from history books. We invite you to hear first-hand accounts from both sides of this conflicted region, shared by people who were intimately involved in this turbulent period of modern history. Explore up close, the world-famous murals that depict the social, political, and cultural history of the city that earns its reputation as the largest, outdoor art gallery in the world and understand the stories behind them. We offer a selection of tours

Falls Road Walking Tour Women in Conflict

Belfast  Murals Taxi Tour

Conflicting Stories Taxi Tour 

Conflicting Stories Walking Tour 

A 2+hour private tour in Belfast taxis with guides from both communities, the content of the tour is the same as our walking tour but on a much more personal level.  Upon arrival, you will be met by a Republican ex-political prisoner who will take you on a guided tour along the Falls Road you will disembark from the taxi at all major locations and you have an opportunity to photograph the local murals and you hear the stories behind them.  At the Peace Wall and We pass through the electronically-controlled gates leading to the predominately protestant area of The Shankill Road. You will change taxis and meet with the loyalist who will accompany you through the streets of the Shankill while sharing their personal story. You will have the opportunity to sign the Peace Wall, leaving your thoughts alongside those of Bill Clinton and The Dalai Lama. more info

A three-hour walk with guides from both communities Upon arrival, you will be met by a Republican ex-political prisoner who will take you on a guided walk along the Falls Road and share their personal story on this 3-hour tour. You have an opportunity to photograph the local murals and witness visible signs of this community's desire to be part of the Irish Republic. We pass through the electronically-controlled gates leading to the predominately protestant area of The Shankill Road. We meet with a Loyalist ex-political prisoner who will accompany you through the streets of the Shankill while sharing their personal story. You will witness the determination of the locals who wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. You will have the opportunity to sign the Peace Wall, leaving your thoughts alongside those of Bill Clinton and The Dalai Lama. more info

The Belfast Mural Experience tour will take you on a journey in a Belfast style taxi. on this journey of discovery we will stop at the famous murals on the Falls Road (Republican) and the Shankill Road (Loyalist) Through the Murals you will learn about the social, political, and cultural history of Belfast and Northern Ireland- particularly about the period known as 'The Troubles' or 'The Conflict'.

All our drivers are World Host Trained Belfast Ambassadors, local residents with intimate knowledge and someone who has lived through the troubles and has worked the Belfast roads, the Falls, and Shankill. This is an intimate look into a local's life during this period and they will explain how the conflict effected themselves, their families, and the local communities.

All guests will have an opportunity to sign the Peace Wall and leave their thoughts and hopes for lasting peace alongside the Dalai Lama and other famous people who have visited the city. more info

In most conflicts, the involvement of women is largely ignored or not well known, the recent Northern Irish conflict is no different. As violence raged across the city, the backbone of the community was the women of Belfast. This is the true and uncensored story of the women of Ireland in the recent Conflict. A living history.

As many struggled to raise their families in an increasingly violent environment, massive unemployment, social deprivation, and high rates of poverty controlling their daily lives, others consciously chose to directly involve themselves in the conflict. This is an opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of those troubled times from a woman’s perspective. Meet with a local female to explore the streets of  West Belfast, stop at world-famous murals and learn the stories behind them and, immerse yourself in the recent history of the conflict and the aftermath from a female perspective.

What Guests are saying about us

Check out npr interview with our guides on tour  .

The best tour that I have done and brilliant to get a different perspective from local people on each side of the conflict. 

reviewed by Elliott – United Kingdom

A must visit for anyone wanting to know about the history of the troubles

Reviewed by Helena United Kingdom 

A thought-provoking journey    Reviewed by Naomi E

One of the best and most challenging tours I’ve been on. Do not miss the opportunity to do this.  Reviewed by Noeleen S. Australia 

Insightful, powerful and thought-provoking  Reviewed by  Eleonore3 Austria 

A Highlight of our trip!!! Robert and Mark were incredible guides!!! 

Reviewed by KM United States  

I cannot recommend highly enough!

Reviewed by  phobic1d Canada 

Read More Tripadvisor Reviews Here

Troubles Tour Belfast

Learn about the troubles tour belfast.

Come with us on a walking tour where you’ll explore Belfast’s history of political, economic, and social unrest by visiting key sites associated with the conflict; peace walls, political murals, and the sites of attacks and bombs. 

This tour is a deep dive into the history and impact of the Troubles in Belfast, exploring the physical and emotional barriers that divided communities and the reconciliation efforts that followed. Led by experienced guides with first-hand knowledge of the conflict, this tour provides a powerful and thought-provoking experience.

You’ll learn about the causes of conflict within a historical context and you’ll see how Belfast’s past and future relates to all our stories. You’ll get to know and understand, the history, politics and conflict of Belfast but also the music, art and culture of the complex, wonderful city we call home. This is so much more than a standard tour, it’s an experience that will leave Belfast with you.

Discover history of Belfast's Troubles

Discover the history of Belfast’s Troubles on a walking tour through the city’s streets. Learn about the conflict, its causes, and its impact on the people of Northern Ireland. Explore the Peace Walls, Political Murals, memorials, and landmarks that tell the story of this turbulent time in Belfast’s past. Join us for a fascinating journey through history and gain a deeper understanding of the conflict.

What You Will Do

Starting at Belfast City Hall, you’ll meet your guide, an expert local historian and master storyteller, who has brought Belfast history to life for thousands of visitors from around the world in an original and engaging way, but the ins and outs of this treasure of  a city. From the meeting spot, you’ll proceed to walk in a small group towards the world-renowned Peace Walls. Along the way, you’ll learn about the historical and political aspects of the ‘Troubles,’ as well as the day-to-day realities of life, told in human terms based on lived experience. 

The tour wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the International Wall to view the political art and thought-provoking murals before returning to Belfast City Centre. Along our return, you’ll learn about another side to Belfast, too. You’ll come to appreciate modern Belfast, vibrant and full of creativity and hope. 

The tour is objective, factually accurate and detailed with plenty of time for questions. You will be engaged, informed and undoubtedly entertained. Most importantly, you will leave with a lasting memory of the place we call home, a place we love so much we wrote a book about it, ‘The Little Book of Belfast’.

We can’t wait to welcome you here in Belfast! 

Learn History Of The Troubles

At every step, you will learn about the history of ‘The Troubles’ and civil rights, the prejudiced and hate-filled atmosphere, the emergence of peace walls and political murals, and sites that are central to the story. You’ll receive a unique understanding of  the Troubles and the peace process, and its effect on the city’s economics and industry.

Belfast Walking Tour Reviews

Belfast troubles walking tour, view upcoming tours.

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Political Tours in Belfast

Political tours in Belfast offer an insight into 'the Troubles' and meanings behind the famous murals you see spread throughout the city. Learn about the political history of Belfast on foot, bike or in a taxi or bus.

A city as old as Belfast has many stories. Uncover these stories by booking one of Belfast’s political history tours run by professional tour guides. Discover how far Belfast has come ‘post-conflict’. Visit Belfast’s Peace Wall, learn about the different murals, hear people’s stories and be immersed in the history of Belfast.

My Troubled Past Tour

Belfast Lad Tours offer a unique tour experience that tells the history, background and consequences of ‘The Troubles’ in Ulster from 1966 – 2013. Francis Higgins takes you on a personal journey of his story as he survived a bomb attack and two incidents where those beside him were murdered in cold blood. He tells his story of watching as his great uncle drew the line of the current Peacewalls on his mother’s coffee table in 1969 and his loss of two family members to the conflict.

Black Taxi Mural Tours

Enjoy an amazing local tour with Cab Tours Belfast, Belfast’s only cross-community owned black taxi tour company. Sit back, relax, and take in the history and scenery of Northern Ireland. By joining this Cab Tours Belfast, you can experience the best black taxi tour Belfast has to offer with a political, historic, and culturally rich tour of Belfast City and beyond. Belfast Cab Tour’s legendary award-winning, 5-star rated Belfast Mural Tours will give you an insight into everything you need to know. All Mural Tours are private tours by local guides providing political and historical background information and local knowledge about the murals and ‘The Troubles’ and conflict in Northern Ireland.

‘A History of Terror’ Walking Tour

Running daily at 10.30am, ‘A History of Terror’ starts at Belfast City Hall where your expert guide explains how and why ‘The Troubles’ started. Over two hours and 15 minutes you visit seven locations in the city centre where some of the most important events of the conflict occurred. The tour allows you to explore and understand the most turbulent period in Belfast’s recent past and what it was like to grow up and live here during ‘The Troubles’ .

Value Cabs Taxi Tours

Value Cabs offers a range of tours throughout Northern Ireland, with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Value Cabs offer a range of taxi tours taking in many of the cultural and historical highlights of our beautiful country. They offer a Belfast Political Taxi Tour which highlights the unique past of Belfast.

Falls/Shankill Tours

The joint Falls/Shankill Tour is a unique experience, blending the narratives of local republican former prisoners telling their story of the past decades whilst guiding visitors through the republican areas of West Belfast and then, at the famous gates of the Peace Wall, handing over the visitors to former loyalists activists to hear their narratives of their localities. This gives a unique first hand narrative of experiences across Belfast communities.

Belfast Political Black Taxi

Take a tour of the turbulent political history of Belfast. Belfast Sightseeing’s guides have full knowledge of the British / Irish conflict and can give you an in-depth tour of the murals and their reason for being, the key sites and the peace walls. Your informative and educated guide will have you walk these streets with scars of bullet holes and old army barracks.

Falls Road Mural Tours

A unique walking tour delivered by former political prisoners who share their personal experiences of the British/Irish conflict. The Coiste’s Falls Road Mural Walking Tour starts at Divis Tower at the bottom of the Falls Road and travels through a main arterial route of West Belfast, visiting The International Wall, the Republican Memorial gardens and many murals, each with their own particular story, some relating to conflict in other areas around the world.

Belfast Black Taxi Mural Tour

Many people pass by the world renowned Murals every day. Do they know the background stories ? Many local people have taken a tour with Taxitrax Guides. During the tour you will be guided and taught about the historical and political significance of different Belfast murals. Taxitrax tours will entertain, educate, enlighten and challenge perceptions. A living history tour told through the medium of the politically inspired wall murals.

Political Murals Street Art & Peace Gate by Belfastology

On this 2.5 hour Walk, you will discover some of the modern street art, by International Street Artists, Belfast is now becoming known for. During this tour you will head into the West of the city to view some of the more controversial Political Murals and hear how Northern Ireland is working with locals to create peace. You will also see a project called re-imaging, which aims to put Street Art or Murals up that the local communities want to share with all that pass by.

West Belfast Bike Tour

This bike tour of West Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter explores the history, culture and environment which shaped this historic part of the City. The tour can be conducted in Irish and English by local guides and follows the fantastic Sli na Gaeltachta heritage trail. Standout features include the International Wall; iconic murals and memorials throughout the Falls; an extended coffee break at An Culturlann; Belfast’s historic City Cemetery; Beechmount House; the beautiful Falls Park and River with the Black Mountain in the background; Milltown Cemetery and memorials and the Bog Meadows UNESCO wildlife reserve.

Pack Up Your Troubles

Step into the darkest era of Belfast’s bloody history in this impartial and unbiased political walking tour. The 30-year conflict known as ‘The Troubles’ began in August 1969 and was responsible for more than 3,700 deaths across Catholic and Protestant communities. You’ll hear about how Belfast became divided emotionally, mentally, and physically by 40 kilometres of walls and steel. But you’ll also experience the power of hope and healing.

A taxi option is also available with this tour. Sit back, relax and experience Belfast from the comfort of a luxury vehicle. You’ll be chauffeured around the city come rain, hail, or shine.

Belfast Black Cab Tour

The Black Cab Tour brings you into the areas you’ve seen on television, where we use the murals to relate to events from an historical perspective and you follow in the footsteps of people such as the Dalai Lama and Bill Clinton and write your message on the Peace wall. These tour’s cover the origins of conflict, the mechanism of conflict and the resolution of conflict. All cabs are 6 seaters, wheelchair accessible, this tour can accommodate large groups.

Belfast à Pied

Discover the city on a tour of Belfast, exclusively in French, led by Stéphane. Stéphane offers a range of tours, including their political ‘troubles’ tour. The tour aims to give you a clear understanding of the how and why of the very particular situation in which the province of Ulster finds itself.

Belfast Hidden Tours

Belfast Hidden Tours explore the city’s art, history, politics and culture by walking the streets, meeting local people and enjoying the craic! Their Belfast Beyond Walls is a tour that will help people understand the complex history of our city and how and why the period known as ‘The Troubles’ began.

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• GAME OF THRONES TOUR

THINGS TO DO IN BELFAST

Belfast bus tours, political walking tour.

POLITICAL WALKING TOUR

REPUBLICAN GUIDE

BOMBAY STREET

PEACE GATES HANDOVER

PEACE WALL SIGNING

LOYALIST GUIDE - UVF MURAL

REMEMBRANCE GARDEN

BAYADA MURAL

Tour highlights.

A unique experience, blending the narratives of local republican former prisoners and former loyalists activists guiding visitors through the areas of West Belfast.

• Passionate Guides
• Immersive Tour
• The Falls Road
• Shankill Road
• Stunning Murals
• International Wall
• Belfast Murals
• Peacewalls & Gates
• Balanced & Insightful
• Unique Experience

Full Description

The Joint Falls & Shankill Walking Tour is a three hour Political walking tour led by ex-prisoners from the Republican community and former Loyalist activists. The political conflict raged through Ireland from 1969 to 1998. On this tour you will hear the stories and the experiences of two different guides from either side of that conflict who took part in it and are now helping to shape today's peace process. Your first guide will lead you on a walk up the Falls Road and describe the period of conflict to you from a Republican perspective. After 1.5 hours your first guide will hand you over at the Peace Wall to your second guide who will lead you through the Shankill Road area and describe the conflict from a Loyalist perspective. To Book Online choose number of passengers and your travel date - Instant Confirmation - Mobile E-Tickets - Use Instantly.

ITINERARY & TOUR ROUTE

THINGS TO BRING

• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing
• Bottle of water
• Republican Tour Guide
• Loyalist Tour Guide
• Bus Tour Discounts
• Transportation
• Fees Into Attractions
• Lunch - Drinks - Snacks

CANCELLATION POLICY

• 24 Hours+ 10% Admin Fee
• Less Than 24 hours Prior NO SHOW - 100% Forfeited.
• Reshedule Free 24+ Hours Message Us --- Call Us

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Parental Guidance Advised

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?

• What's the best way to explore Belfast? Onboard our Hop on Hop off tour , the buses visit all the main sightseeing attractions and key locations in the city. Each bus has a live tour guide providing entertaining and insightful commentary on your 75 minute loop. With 19 stops to explore, make sure you pack comfortable shoes should you wish to hop on and off.
• Do I need to print my Hop on Hop off ticket? No, we're environmentally friendly! We send all tickets instantly directly to your email. Just show your E-ticket on any mobile device when boarding the tour and you are all set.

UEST REVIEWS

Political Tour Providers Based In Belfast since 1999

Guided tour of the Falls Road and Shankill Road and the infamous Peace Wall

Find out about how we cater for Schools, Colleges & Universities for tours of political, historical, cultural and educational significance

Welcome to Coiste Na nIarchimí’s original West Belfast bespoke walking tours, delivered by former political prisoners who share their personal experiences of the British/Irish conflict. 

Coiste Irish Political Tours has been been awarded the “Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2022” award - being classed within the top 10% of visitor attractions in the world.

Coiste Irish Political Tours operates political tours, educational talks and programmes, and provides associated services to visitors, which advances education for the public regarding the historical and political context of the conflict in Ireland. We also organise discussions with former political prisoners, members of the republican community, and former members of the British forces who served in Ireland. These discussions allow visitors to take part in unique interaction with primary sources of history – those who were active during our recent conflict.

We have also developed a number of joint tourist initiatives with delivery partners from the tourism sector, including private sector tour operators, Crumlin Road Gaol, Derry Blue Badge Tour Guides and Áras Úi Chonghaile.

Political Ex-prisoners Tour Guides

Coiste guides are Republican ex-prisoners and members of the republican community whose narrative comes from their experience of our recent history, political activism and political imprisonment. Our story is the story of our communities and their struggles.

Community Project

Coiste is at the heart of our community and our guides are advocates for that community. During our tours we promote and engage with our cultural centres, pubs, clubs, restaurants and museums – ensuring you know what they have to offer and how they enhance your visitor experience.

Multi-lingual

Coiste tours provide tours in Irish, French, Spanish and Italian. As we live in a multi-cultural world we think in a multi-cultural context. Contact our staff to enquire about availability.

Experience Irish history

Hear from former political prisoners and former members of the British forces who served in Ireland. These discussions allow visitors to take part in unique interactions with primary sources of history.

While we like to leave our visitors speechless, here’s what some have had to say about our tours

Read our reviews, recognition & partnerships.

Keep up to date! Be the first to know about upcoming tours

Day Tours From Belfast

Yellow umbrella tours, discover hidden ireland, belfast political tour-conflicting stories walking tour.

The opportunity to experience a tour of a lifetime. 

Understanding belfast's troubled history with a political tour  by republican and loyalist ex-political prisoners. , starts @ divis tower, divis street,  (lower falls road) , this is a unique opportunity to discover the real story you won't get from history books.  we invite you to hear first-hand accounts from both sides of this conflicted region, shared by people who were intimately involved in this turbulent period of modern history. explore up close, on foot, the world-famous murals that depict the social, political, and cultural history of the city that earns its reputation as the largest, outdoor art gallery in the world and understand the stories behind them. unknown to most, modern-day belfast remains a divided city. 26 kilometers of a physical wall, up to ten meters high in some locations separates two religious communities living side by side. for more than thirty years, the controversial time known as "the troubles" has had a powerful impact on the city and its residents. very few people, if any, were unaffected by the violence that plagued the area and everyone has a story to tell.  .

Check out this NPR interview with our guides on the tour 

Upon arrival, you will be met by a Republican ex-political prisoner who will take you on a guided walk along the Falls Road where the history of world-famous murals will be explained.  The guides share their personal story and how the conflict affected their families and the community. Photograph the local murals and witness visible signs of his community's desire to be part of an Irish Republic.

We pass through the electronically-controlled gates leading to the predominately protestant area of The Shankill Road. We meet with either a Loyalist ex-political prisoner or an ex-member of the security forces who served during the troubles and grew up in the local area. They will accompany you through the streets of the Shankill while sharing their personal story.  You will witness the determination of the locals who wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. You will have the opportunity to sign the Peace Wall, leaving your thoughts alongside those of Bill Clinton and The Dalai Lama and with the thousands of visitors to the area.

* The recent period known as 'The Troubles' is a very contentious time and is still raw in many people's minds and hearts, the purpose of this tour is to give the guest insight into why young men and women would voluntarily involve themselves in a conflict knowing that it would ultimately lead to their imprisonment at best or potential death.

Any statements and opinions expressed on this tour by the guides are strictly their own and the Belfast Free Walking Tour does not endorse any political view, the use of violence, or the promotion of any political agenda. The guides are contracted to share their personal story of the troubles. 

The  Meeting point for this tour is at Divis Tower, Divis Street (bottom of the Falls Road), and finishes on the Lower Shankill Road with a total walking distance of 5km. This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 14 years old.**

** Children are allowed at parent's discretion Please be aware that graphic accounts of violence may be discussed on the tour.

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See. Learn. Explore. Northern Ireland’s hidden gems are one giant adventure.

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Are you a history buff interested in Northern Ireland’s dark past, The Troubles?

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Whatever you’re into, we’ve got the perfect experience for you.

Sightseeing Tours & Experiences

Belfast political & mural tour.

History captured through wall art, Pull back the curtain to the dark side of Belfast’s history.

3 Hour Ultimate Belfast Experience

Belfast: The small city with a big personality, Give us three hours of your day, and we’ll give you a lifetime of memories.

3 Hour Ultimate Political Tour

A brutal 30-year conflict. Real stories. Real people. Told by those who lived through it, Learn about Belfast’s bloody past, captured in colourful murals.

Luxury Giants Causeway & Antrim Coast Tour

Walk in the footsteps of giants where A giant Northern adventure awaits.

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Winter is coming. We’ll supply the swords and costumes to help you survive The Game of Thrones.

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Perhaps you have a large group who would like to do a tour, we can provide you with larger transport for this.

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Would you take a longer tour? We can create a 3 days tour just for you. Taking in Belfast, The Antrim Coast and Derry City

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Belfast and Northern Ireland is a place filled with history, good and bad, a place of culture and adventure. Let Taxi Tours Belfast tell you the tale of it all with one of our amazing adventure tours.

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Belfast Political Tours

Belfast political tour, belfast political taxi tours | black taxi political tours belfast.

Our Belfast Black Taxi Tours start at just £50 for two people, with £25 per person thereafter.

The average duration of each tour is around 1 hour 30 minutes, but can be tailored to suit. 

or call us directly +44 7415 100039

Belfast’s past has been chequered and troubled, this is well documented.

Now that Belfast and Northern Ireland is enjoying peacetime, the reminders of our countries problems can be clear for all to see.

The Belfast Political tours allows you to see the REAL Belfast. Learn all about the troubles in Belfast, what is was like to live through, what happened during the troubles and what it’s like now since the peace process.

Our guides will take you to the most historically important and interesting sites.

Forget Banksy and his gang, We want to show you some ‘grafitti’ that tells so many stories.

The Peace Wall is the World’s longest.

Why not add your own message of peace and goodwill during the tour.

Belfast’s mural’s depict life and the views of both Falls Road and Shankill Road residents.

We pride ourselves on being able to give an impartial account of all aspects of our Belfast Political tours.

As well as the Murals and Peace Wall, we cover Crumlin Road Jail and Court House.

Witness to killings, bombings and escape attempts, These Victorian buildings have been a major part of Irish history for over 160 years. Convictions, imprisonment and even executions in evidence within the buildings. Seventeen prisoners were executed in the prison, the last being Robert McGladdery who was hanged in 1961 for the murder of Pearl Gamble.

You can read many more reviews at Tripadvisor

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Belfast Political Tours

Our guides have a full knowledge of the british / irish conflict and can give you an in-depth tour of the murals and their reason for being., take a tour of the turbulent political history of belfast.

Welcome to our changing  city  it’s has shopping and coffee culture but Belfast city has a unique past  synonymous with coming out of 35 years of conflict.

The North of Ireland has become famous for the murals painted in almost every area of the country. These artistic visions of our past and future are often flashed around the world on news bulletins or used as a backdrop when interviewing people. They often depict the history and political views of both traditions and are a way of marking territory. These wall paintings often look intimidating but they have become as much of a tourist attraction when their history is explained  as many of the regular attractions within Belfast and beyond.

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Our Guides have a full knowledge of the British / Irish conflict and can give you an in-depth tour of the murals and their reason for being , the key sites and the peace walls.The Republican Falls Road birth place of the provisional IRA  and The Shallkill loyalist birth place of the UVF UFF.Your informative and educated guide will have you walk these streets with scars of bullet holes and old army barracks.

The tour is 90 minutes long but we are often requested to continue the tours at a reduced cost because once our passengers get a sense of scale and depth of Belfast’s troubled past they just want to know more and as always we are happy to oblige, this tour gives you an.insight into the North of irelands troubled and torn past but also the foresight to ensure you leave knowing the eclectic history but additionally the bright future that lies ahead for both sides of the community.

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Travelling to the most historically important and interesting sites, with Belfast Attractions, covering all sides of the conflict personally guided with all questions answered by outgoing friendly guides.We want to show you some ‘grafitti’ that tells so many stories, The famous murals both Loyalist and Republican expressing the feelings of a era of conflict and vision of the time. The Peace Wall is the World’s longest.

Travelling to the most historically important and interesting sites, with Belfast Attractions , covering all sides of the conflict personally guided with all questions answered by outgoing friendly guides.

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5 Best Belfast Mural Tours (Political Walking and Taxi Tours)

Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Top Belfast Mural Tours 1. Black Taxi Political Tour 2. Political Walking Tour 3. Belfast Taxi Mural Tour 4. Murals & Crumlin Road Gaol 5. Political Murals & Peacewall

One of the best things to do in Belfast is to take a walking tour to see the city’s famous Republican and Loyalist murals. There are a few different Belfast mural tours to choose from. In this article, we will look at the different options, as well as review one of these tours.

I spent an incredible three hours on a Belfast political and mural tour exploring the history of this troubled city. The tour was conducted by ex-prisoners from either side of the divide, which gave a unique insight into “the Troubles”.

Aside from the many walking tours, Belfast black cab tours are another popular way to see the city’s murals and learn about the history from a local cabbie.

• Conflicting Stories Mural Walking Tour – Book here with Get Your Guide
• Conflicting Stories Mural Taxi Tour – Book here with Get Your Guide
• Political Wall Murals and Peace Lines Tour – Book here with Get Your Guide

Table of Contents

The Three Types of Belfast Mural Tours

• a walking tour
• a black taxi tour
• venturing off on your own

Although Belfast is a reasonably safe city, wandering around the divided estates of East and West Belfast on your own, camera in tow, might raise a few eyebrows. It is certainly not recommended to visit these areas alone after dark as trouble can and does flare up sporadically.

The best way to witness the murals is with a guided tour, and personally, I found the three-hour “ Conflicting Stories ” tour to be fantastic. The tour is split into two, with the first guide being an ex-prisoner on the Republican side, and the second half with a former Loyalist prisoner.

The other option is a Belfast black taxi tour. These tours take you around both Republican and Loyalist areas to see the murals and peace walls. This is an especially good option if it rains, which unfortunately Northern Ireland has more than its fair share of!

For anyone interested in so-called “ dark tourism “, a Belfast mural tour is a must!

Top 5 Belfast Mural Tours

Below you’ll find a selection of the best Belfast mural tours including both walking and taxi tours. These experiences include visits to some of the most famous murals in Belfast as well as other related sights from the peace lines to Crumlin Road Gaol.

1. Black Taxi Political Tour

This one-hour guided tour with a Belfast taxi driver will take you to many of the famous murals on both sides of the divide.

You’ll learn about the history of the conflict from a local and see the peace lines as well as the Falls and Shankhill roads. Click here to book now .

2. Political Walking Tour

This three-hour political walking tour is a must for first-time visitors to Dublin to learn about the history of the Troubles . I did this tour myself and it was absolutely fascinating.

You’ll get to spend time with former prisoners from both sides of the conflict and see all the most famous murals including the Bobby Sands Mural on the Falls Road and UVF murals on the Shankhill. Click here to book now .

3. Belfast Taxi Mural Tour

This fantastic 90-minute tour will take you on a journey through both the Catholic and Protestant sides of Belfast while learning about the city’s troubled history from a local cab driver.

See the most famous murals on the Falls and Shankhill as well as the peace lines separating the two communities to this very day. Click here to book now .

4. Black Taxi and Crumlin Road Gaol Tour

This private taxi tour includes both the Catholica and Protestant murals and the peace lines.

You’ll learn a little about the conflict from a local cab driver before being dropped off at Crumlin Road Gaol for a self-guided tour of the prison where many on both sides of the conflict spent time. Click here to book now .

5. Political Murals and Peace Wall

This 90-minute tour by black taxi includes the murals of the Falls and Shankhill, the peace lines and lots of opportunities to stop for photos. You’ll learn about the Troubles from a local guide. Click here to book now .

How to Book your Belfast Mural Tour

Our partners at Get Your Guide offer a great selection of Belfast Mural Tours, from walking to taxi tours.

You can book direct on their website and you will be issued a receipt. Simply show this to your guide (they will cross-reference against your name on a list). Click here to book your tour today .

Cost of Belfast Mural Tours

The cheapest Belfast mural tour is just £23 (Conflicting Stories) up to around £60 for the Belfast Black Taxi Tour. The tours range from one hour to three hours in length.

Belfast Mural Tours are suitable for adults and those aged over 15 years old. Due to the subject matter of the tours, they are not suitable for children.

Geography of Belfast and Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is made up of six counties in the north of the island of Ireland. These provinces are (currently) part of the United Kingdom and not part of the Republic of Ireland.

When the Republic of Ireland broke away from the United Kingdom after the 1922 War of Succession, these six counties remained part of the crown and thus partitioning Ireland.

About the Belfast Murals

The murals in Belfast, on each side of the divide, are some of the most prominent reminders of Northern Ireland’s troubled past. These murals can be seen in areas like the catholic Falls Road and protestant Shankhill Road .

Since the 1970s some 2,000 brightly-coloured paintings have appeared across Northern Ireland, with the most famous of these being located in Belfast and Derry.

These murals depict the culture, struggles and lives of each community in Northern Ireland. Some of the murals depict historical figures, sporting heroes and martyrs to each cause.

Republican Murals

The republican murals depict the Irish struggle for independence and associated figures. There are also many murals painted in solidarity with other political causes around the world from Palestine to Cuba.

There are also murals championing Irish culture, Gaelic sports and so forth.

Loyalist Murals

The loyalist murals, by contrast, show of the solidarity to the UK and celebrate “Queen and Country” as well as figures related to the struggle against the IRA and republicanism.

About the Peace Lines

The so-called Peace Lines are a series of walls and high fences separating the two communities. These walls and fences can be found across areas of the city where both communities live in close proximity.

The primary aim of the Peace Lines is to de-escalate violence and stop attacks on either community. You can see that there are distinct sections that have increased in height over time to stop the throwing of missiles and petrol bombs.

In addition to the peace lines, there are many gates that allow traffic to pass through during the day, but are closed for a curfew every night at 7pm.

Review and Personal Experience of the Conflicting Stories Political Tour

The tour starts off on Divis Street which is about 600 metres northwest of the city centre. It then continues along Divis Street onto the Falls Road to take in different murals there. From there a right turn onto Clonard Avenue to visit Father Alec Reid’s former church and an IRA memorial garden.

It’s then a short walk onto Springfield Road and onto Lanark Way and through the gates and across the Peace Lines. From Lanark, the tour turns onto Cupar Way and follows the wall until turning off onto Lawnbrook Avenue and then the Shankill Road where the tour ends.

The meeting point for the tour was outside a large tower block on Divis Street, less than a kilometre from the city centre. The first half of the tour was to be with an ex-prisoner from the Republican side, presumably a member or former member of the IRA.

Even though we were only a few hundred metres from the centre of Belfast, it was possible to see the large fence of the Peace Lines behind some houses. Republican murals depicting scenes of Gaelic sports adorned some of the walls nearby and an Irish tricolour hung from one of the windows in the tower block.

There were around 20 people on the tour and we were greeted by our first guide; a stocky, bald-headed Republican in his mid to late fifties from West Belfast.

He had served 10 years in Long Kesh Prison (also known as the Maze) for offenses relating to the struggle for Irish independence. Presumably, this meant he was a member of the IRA or a similarly affiliated group. Now he works for a Republican prisoners’ association.

The Falls Road

Our guide started off with a 20-minute talk giving a background to the troubles and outlining each side and what they were fighting for/against. There was a strong wind blowing down from the hills and across the city, making it difficult to hear the guide at times, but thankfully the rain had held off.

We set off west along Divis Street, which then turns into the famous Falls Road; scene of so many street battles with protestants and the British army during the 30 years of the troubles. Now it looks like a normal road in any industrial city, save for the murals, memorials and large fences/walls separating the two communities.

The first large set of murals we came to were painted on the side of what looked to be an old factory. There were paintings celebrating figures from those the republicans sympathised such as Palestine, Cuba and so on. Other paintings depicted Irish prisoners, freedom fighters and martyrs throughout the years.

Bobby Sands Mural

A little further on we came to the famous mural of Bobby Sands; the famous IRA hunger striker and member of Parliament who died from his protest on 5th May 1981. The building was home to Sinn Fein; the republican political party active in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Our guide also pointed out the large gates that were currently open letting traffic pass through the two communities, and informed us that these gates close every day at 7 pm and open again at 7 am the following morning, separating both communities at night.

Clonard Cathedral and Father Alec Reid

Next up we visited the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer (also known as Clonard Monastery) on Clonard Street which was part of Father Alec Reid’s diocese.

Father Reid was instrumental in bringing about the peace process thanks to secret negotiations with both sides. He later went on to help broker peace in Spain’s Basque Country and other conflicts across the world.

Clonard Martyrs Memorial

After the church, we moved on to the Clonard Martyrs Memorial , a small red-bricked, gated enclosure and garden dedicated to the fallen volunteers of “C” Company, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade of the IRA.

Our guide explained that these types of memorials are erected in public land and built without permission, knowing that the authorities will not do anything about it in an effort to maintain the peace.

Crossing Communities

We made our ay from Springfield Road onto Lanark Way which separates it from the loyalist Shankhill Road. Here we crossed through heavy mechanised iron and concrete gates that close each night as with the others. We learned that there had been some rioting and petrol bombs thrown at police at this exact spot the previous night (you can read the news report here ).

Once through the gates, we met up with our second tour guide, a loyalist ex-prisoner from the Shankhill Road. Our republican guide exchanged pleasantries with our new guide and I managed to get a photograph of them standing together (with permission of course). I was going to jokingly suggest they give each other a kiss, but thought better of it!

From what I could gather, our new guide seemed to be a former member of the UVF, the Ulster Volunteer Force, a loyalist paramilitary group. He was decked out in blue and white sportswear with a mop of grey hair and a thick Ulster accent.

Belfast Mural Tours – The Peace Lines

We left the dividing gates on Lanark Way and made our way onto Cupar way, which runs adjacent to the peace lines. You can see three distinct sections; the concrete bottom, and then two metal mesh layers that were later added to stop petrol bombs and missiles from being hurled over.

The bottom section of the wall was covered in graffiti, a lot of which has been added by tourists.

The Shankhill Road

The guide led us through a housing estate and out onto the Shankhill Road. We passed houses decked out in Union Jack flags and poppies (it was close to remembrance Sunday) before coming to the Rangers Supporters Club, an outfit for fans of Glasgow Rangers Football Club.

Our guide told us that the previous day, a car with Irish number plates had been torched right outside the club and showed us pictures of the burned-out car from his phone. You can read the news story here .

The first loyalist mural we saw was a large painting on the gable end of a row of houses depicting five men carrying large, automatic weapons. The five men were all members of UVF – C COY from West Belfast.

Next, we visited the site of a former fish and chip shop that had been bombed by the IRA on 23rd October 1993. The blast killed ten people, including the bomber, a member of the UDA and eight protestant civilians, including two children.

IRA Victims Memorial

Our guide then explained that we would be visiting a memorial to the victims of the IRA and that behind the memorial was an enclosure with a lot of graphic photographs. The pictures displayed victims of various bomb blasts and so forth. He warned that the pictures were not for the faint of heart and that we were free to view or pass it by as we wished.

I didn’t notice anyone stay outside and everyone entered the area behind the memorial. As we had been warned, there were many graphic pictures detailing the devastating effects of IRA bombs.

There were also many news headlines and what can only be described as propaganda. One piece that sticks in my mind is a headline screaming “ISIS and IRA are No Different!” or something along those lines.

It was a stark contrast to the memorials across the fence and I can’t help but feeling it was not particularly respectful of the victims.

Walking back into central Belfast

The tour ends on the Shankhill Road and it’s a ten-minute walk back into the centre of Belfast.

I can highly recommend this as one of the best Belfast mural tours thanks to the unique perspectives given by each tour guide.

Book Your Tour Here

If you’re looking for places to stay in Belfast check out this guide to the best places to stay in Belfast .

Want to see more? You can also see these Derry murals on a trip around the Bogside in Northern Ireland’s second city.

Check out my guides on getting to an from Belfast without flying:

Ferry from Liverpool to Belfast

Ferry from Belfast to Liverpool

Belfast Mural Tour FAQs

You can see murals in Belfast around the Falls Road and Shankhill Road areas. There are also some non-political murals in the city centre. You can either wlk around on your own or take one of the many tours on offer.

Belfast Mural tours range from one-hour taxi tours to three-hour walking tours. The main political and mural tour lasts for three hours (half on the Republican side and half on the Loyalist side).

There are over 2,000 murals across Northern Ireland with most in Belfast and Derry. In Belfast there are around 300 well-preserved murals and many more in differing stages of decay.

Belfast black cab tours cost from £32.50 upwards.

It’s possible to walk the murals in Belfast and both the Republican and Loyalist murals are within walking distance of the city centre. Head to the Falls Road and Shankhill Road to see the most famous murals in the city.

The mural of Bobby Sands is arguably the most famous mural in Belfast. You can see this mural on the Falls Road on the walls of the Sinn Fein HQ.

Whichever of the Belfast mural tours you choose, you will be sure to learn a lot about one of Europe’s bloodiest conflicts. However, as with places like Bosnia , Belfast and Northern Ireland, in general, are great destinations in and of themselves regardless of their troubled past. Book your tour today.

About the author: Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.

Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World . See the About page for more info.

Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲

3 thoughts on “ 5 Best Belfast Mural Tours (Political Walking and Taxi Tours) ”

So is it not safe to walk around the various estates of Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, and other places in Northern Ireland taking pictures of the various paramilitary murals with my parents during the day?

I really want to see the paramilitary murals and peace lines before they’re gone. I don’t want to get hurt though. Obviously the tour guide can’t show my parents and I all the murals that I want to see.

Do you think my parents and I would be safe walking around the various estates taking pictures of the murals during the day?

Also, when do you think is the best time to go to Northern Ireland? Everything I read says something different. I want to go as soon as possible, but I don’t want to be freezing or drenched in rain. Some things say June and August is the best time to go. Other things say May to October.

I also don’t want to go during Marching Season. I don’t want to miss any murals that are on closed off areas due to parades and clashes.

Thank you for your help.

I understand your concerns, and that is exactly why I did this tour, so that I wouldn’t be walking around the estates on my own snapping pictures. It’s fine to walk around the Shankhill and Falls roads during the day, where the Peace Lines and a lot of the murals are. I personally wouldn’t wander round the estates on my own, but I think during the day you’re unlikely to encounter any trouble.

I went in October last year and the weather was so/so. Rained for some of the time, but it wasn’t cold. I’d try and go as soon as possible if I were you. Spetmeber should be quite pleasant.

Best wishes,

Fantastic Read, thanks for sharing

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Belfast Political Tour

The Belfast Political Tour is a three hour walking tour led by ex-prisoners from both a Republican and a Loyalist background.

The political conflict known as ‘the Troubles’ raged through Belfast and Northern Ireland from 1969 to 1998. On this tour you will hear the stories and the experiences of two different guides from either side of that conflict.

Your first guide will lead you on a walk up the Falls Road and describe the period of conflict to you from a Republican perspective. After 1.5 hours your first guide will hand you over at the Peace Wall to your second guide who will lead you through the Shankill Road area and describe the conflict from a Loyalist perspective.

Bookings can also be placed in store or by telephoning +44 (0)28 9031 0101. If you have any specific queries about the itinerary just get in touch and we will assist you in any way we can.

ONE CONFLICT. TWO GUIDES. TWO STORIES

Tour Itinerary

• Checkin at 2:15pm
• Depart Divis Tower at 2:30pm with 1st guide.
• Hand over at Peace Wall at 4:00pm with 2nd guide.
• Tour ends at 5:30pm (approx) on the Shankill Road.
• Meet at 2:15pm at Divis Tower
• Tour departs at 2:30pm
• Tour finishes on the Shankill Road close to Belfast City Centre

Things to Bring

Please come dressed appropriately for not only the season, but also for the activity.

• Warm clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Bottle of water
• Republican tour guide
• Loyalist tour guide

Cancellation Policy

• Free  cancellation of booking up to 72 hours before departure date, no admin fee imposed.
• Free  change of date up to 12 hours before departure date, no admin fee imposed. Change of date can be within 1 year of purchase.
• Anything cancelled within 12 hours will not be refunded.
• Cancellation of some attractions may not be accepted. These are set forth by the attractions themselves and not Irish Tour Tickets.

Important Information

• Some of the images and languages shown on this tour may be unsuitable for minors

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THIS TOUR IS SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Dear Customer,

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, this tour is temporarily out of operation. We hope to get this back up and running as soon as possible with the deadline being 1st April 2021.

We are however beginning the operation of some tours on 1st July 2020 including the  Belfast City Sightseeing Tour  and also our “ Best of Both ” tours which contains the best sights from our five-star accredited Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones tours.

Covid-19 Information:

• All refunds for disruption due to Covid-19 that have been requested on or before 25th June 2020 will be processed by 30th June 2020.
• Timescales for any refunds requested after 25th June 2020 will be communicated as soon as possible.

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A festival of music, film and spectacle: the best of Belfast 2024

A year-long celebration aims to start a new chapter for Belfast, forging better connections and conversations within communities through creativity and culture

B elfast did not have the best of starts to 2024. Never mind the mass public sector strikes, the not-unrelated fact of Northern Ireland being without a functioning government (the government returned, the strikes were settled, or suspended … for now), at the end of January, one of the city’s most respected – revered – publicans, Pedro Donald, who over the years had brought us the John Hewitt , La Boca, the Sunflower and the American Bar , announced that he was leaving for Amsterdam. There may not be bombs and bullets any more, he said, but Belfast was “a dump and derelict ”. Indeed, apart from a few good years between the Good Friday agreement and the financial crash, the city was in many ways no further on than when he started in the trade in 1984.

Some bridled at the broadside. But walking towards the Sunflower along Royal Avenue, historically the main shopping street, after 6pm sometimes, you would have been hard-pressed to say Pedro had called it wrong. Hard-pressed, too, to say that the people in whose gift was the title of “city of this” or “capital of that” were being entirely unreasonable when they overlooked bids from Belfast in the not-too-distant past.

The Belfast 2024 festival could not in that sense have come along at a better – which is to say worse – time. It had its origins in the conversations behind one of those failed bids (full disclosure: I contributed to some of those) and emanating from within Belfast city council’s culture and tourism unit. The “collective of creatives, producers and project managers” behind the year-long festival says it wants to “ignite a new chapter” for the city, “a time when we can look forward, dream, imagine and invent what our future city could be”. My first thought on looking at the website was of a city not in hock to the old tribal colours: it pulls off with purple and yellow aplomb the not inconsiderable trick of being eye-catching but not partisan.

Little Amal , the giant puppet of a Syrian girl, continues “The Walk” begun in summer 2021, with a specially devised Belfast itinerary from 16 May (produced by ArtsEkta, directed by Jennifer Rooney, with story by Des Kennedy and music by Neil Martin). It starts, as the city’s history does, at the point where the River Farset meets the larger Lagan. Intriguingly, and less expectedly, Amal will spend the second half of her visit in the city’s old Half Bap district, whose identity is almost lost beneath today’s Cathedral Quarter restaurants and bars. There in the company of local resident “Barney” (and directed now by Stephen Beggs) she will learn how “proposed ‘redevelopment’ has led to displacement of people and businesses”, a reminder that, far from addressing the problems that Donald alluded to, culture and tourism initiatives may inadvertently contribute to them. And, yes, this is a culture and tourism event asking questions of a city putting too great an emphasis on culture and tourism – but better to ask questions of yourself than have them asked of you and be wanting for answers.

Later, an earlier visitor to Belfast is to be recognised and celebrated with North Star (25 October) a city-wide spectacle inspired by Frederick Douglass, the great American abolitionist and civil rights campaigner. In the mid-1840s he made several speeches here, saying that any time he doubted his welcome elsewhere he knew he had a home in Belfast. A statue of Douglass was unveiled at the end of 2023, at the top of Lombard Street, close to Rosemary Street’s First Presbyterian church , where Douglass spoke. The building is well worth a look, not just for the beautiful elliptical, 18th-century interior, but for a sense of the city’s radical past, when Belfast led the world in sending congratulations to revolutionary Paris. Produced by SoLab, a new collective led by DJ Kwame Daniels, North Star will feature local artists Nandi Jola, Leo Miyagee and Winnie Ama, alongside Birmingham’s Kaidi Tatham, in a celebration of Belfast’s Black music and culture.

Also involved is Hannah Peel, one of the composers contributing to Sound Links , a co-production between Zeppo Arts, Townsend Street Enterprise and the Ulster Orchestra. The orchestra recently relocated from the city centre to the former Townsend Street Presbyterian church – not quite such a distinguished building as the Rosemary Street Presbyterian, but also with a story or two to tell. Once home to a famous iron foundry owned by Robert “Shipboy” MacAdam, a Protestant champion of the Irish language, Townsend Street today is cut adrift from the city centre by the Westlink motorway. It is also one of Belfast’s many “interfaces”, with Divis Street (leading to the Falls) at one end, and Peter’s Hill (leading to the Shankill) at the other. There are metal gates (open Mon–Sat 6.30am-6.30pm) across its middle.

In May 2013, the then first and deputy first ministers – Peter Robinson of the Democratic Unionist party and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness – made a pledge to remove all the city’s peace walls within 10 years. The fact we still need a project such as Sound Links (it culminates on 21 September, International Peace Day) to help bridge divides could be read as an admission of failure. The same could be said of Roots , a coming together of artists, gardeners and (again) divided communities at the Black Mountain Shared Space at the far end of Belfast’s longest peace line, the so-called Wall of a Million Bricks.

Given some of the passes – and political impasses – in which we have found ourselves in the intervening 11 years, I am banking on every “celebration of new connections” (Sound Links) and every “sparking of new conversations” (Roots). The overall sense is of a festival for the city and the citizens of Belfast to which the rest of the world is also invited.

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Among the most exciting, and potentially all-inclusive projects is The Hearth , by Belfast film festival , which aspires to be a composite self-portrait of the city, cut together under the guidance of the film festival’s chair Mark Cousins. Anyone can send a clip, up to four minutes long, shot on a phone camera – in landscape, not portrait – or “the simplest of cameras”. The organisers say they are not after perfection, but unfiltered rawness and authenticity. There is something in this of the ethos of Belfast Stories – it’s all in the title – a major project and “visitor destination”, opening in 2029 at the northern end of Royal Avenue.

And since we are back on Royal Avenue, at the other end, 2RA (a building with a long history, most recently as a Tesco Metro) is one of the best – and best-used – new civic venues in the city. A genuinely welcoming space, and the place where Belfast 24 launched at the beginning of March.

Between there and the soon-to-be Belfast Stories building, between any of that and the Belfast Donald despaired of seeing, there is still much to do. But Belfast 2024 feels in every way like a decent start.

So, do, if you can, come but, just so you know, we’re going to be doing it anyway.

Glenn Patterson is a writer and broadcaster, and director of the Heaney Centre at Queen’s University, Belfast. The new Seamus Heaney Centre opens to the public on 24 June . Assume Nothing: How to Kill a Government in 14 Days is available now on BBC Sounds.

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Bruce Springsteen concert in Kilkenny: Tell us your verdict

We would like to hear about your experience of seeing the boss perform on his irish tour.

Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt with The E Street Band performing at Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast. Photograph: Liam McBurney for The Irish Times

Bruce Springsteen kicked off his four-concert Irish tour at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast last Thursday in spectacular fashion in front of 40,000 fans. Our reviewer described it as an “immense show” .

On Sunday evening, he took to the stage in UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny , with this to be followed by Páirc Uí Chaoimh , Cork , on May 16th He and his band will wrap it up in style at Croke Park in Dublin on May 19th.

The Boss has been wooing fans in Ireland since his first concert at Slane Castle, Co Meath, in 1985 , He has sold 350,000 tickets for the current four-date tour alone and will pass a milestone worth celebrating at Croke Park: one million tickets sold since that debut at Slane.

[  Bruce Springsteen in Kilkenny: Everything you kneed to know  ]

[  Bruce Springsteen in Belfast: Fans give their verdicts  ]

Let us know using the form below about your experience of seeing Springsteen and The E Street Band live on their Irish tour. We require you to give provide a phone number only for verification purposes. If you wish to remain anonymous please let us know in your response.

‘Kilkenny loves Bruce!’: Springsteen fans praise ‘phenomenal evening’ with touching tribute to Shane MacGowan

Brucewatch: Bruce Springsteen indulges his love for Dublin fish and chips

Bruce Springsteen in Cork: Everything you need to know about Páirc Uí Chaoimh concert

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9 places to nosh on bagels in southern Maine

From old-school spots to foodie favorites, there's a 'hole' lot to try.

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Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

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ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

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SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

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