BELFAST WALKING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Dual Narratives on Foot: Walking the Falls and Shankill Through Belfast’s Murals and Peace Wall
A three-hour, operator-led walking tour of West Belfast that pairs republican and loyalist firsthand testimony with visits to iconic murals and sites along the Falls Road and Shankill Road, useful for travelers who want an on-the-ground orientation to the city’s contested landscape.
Dual Narratives on Foot: Walking the Falls and Shankill Through Belfast’s Murals and Peace Wall.
Adventure brief
Dual Narratives on Foot: Walking the Falls and Shankill Through Belfast’s Murals and Peace Wall
This guided, three-hour walking tour threads through West Belfast’s nationalist and unionist districts, pairing accounts from former republican and loyalist prisoners with a route that follows the Peace Wall and stops at landmark murals, churches and sites that shaped the Troubles and its aftermath.
Belfast, the vibrant capital of Northern Ireland, holds a history layered with conflict, resilience, and hope. For visitors drawn to the city’s compelling past and dynamic communities, Coiste Irish Political Tours offers a rare opportunity to walk through the neighborhoods that have shaped modern Belfast. Their Falls/Shankill Tour is a three-hour walking journey that immerses travelers in the stories of the city’s divided communities, told firsthand by former prisoners from both republican and loyalist backgrounds.
Starting on Falls Road, the tour takes you past iconic murals painted during decades of political upheaval. These vivid artworks serve as visual expressions of identity, pride, and resistance. Moving to Shankill Road, you'll encounter murals and sites that reflect loyalist history. The tour's most poignant feature is the Peace Wall, a literal barrier that once separated these communities. Walking along it, guides share stories of conflict, reconciliation, and ongoing peace efforts, providing a visceral understanding of Belfast’s complex social fabric.
This experience isn’t just a historical recount—it’s an active engagement with Belfast’s ongoing peace process. It appeals to history buffs, peace advocates, and curious travelers alike, offering a human perspective beyond textbooks or museum exhibits. The guides, with their deeply personal accounts, lend authenticity and depth to each narrative.
Ideal for those seeking an immersive, responsible way to connect with Belfast’s history, the Falls/Shankill Tour by Coiste Irish Political Tours is a stand-out experience in Northern Ireland’s outdoor and cultural scene. It combines walking, storytelling, and community insights into an unforgettable journey through Belfast’s past and present. Whether you're interested in political history or looking for a meaningful way to understand the city’s reconciliation, this tour offers a compelling glimpse into Belfast’s soul.
Route Schematic
Route schematic — key stops
The walk traces key sites on both the Falls and Shankill sides, linking murals, memorials and streets tied to Belfast’s recent history.
Divis Tower (Divis Street)
The tour starts at Coiste’s mural at Divis Tower, the departure point for the Falls leg of the walk.
International Wall & Bobby Sands mural
Visitors see the International Wall’s political artworks, the Republican Memorial Garden and the famous Bobby Sands mural on the nationalist leg.
Clonard and Bombay Street
The route passes through Clonard—noting Clonard Monastery Church—and Bombay Street, a focal point of the 1969 events.
Gates of the Peace Wall
At the Peace Wall gates the group is handed over to the loyalist guide, marking the transition from the nationalist to the unionist narrative.
Shankill Area and Lower Shankill Road
The loyalist guide leads visitors through the Shankill area to local sites of interest, with the tour concluding on the Lower Shankill Road.
This is a three‑hour walking tour along urban streets; participants should be prepared to spend the duration on their feet and move between outdoor stops.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Firsthand testimony from both sides
On this joint Falls/Shankill Tour, visitors are guided first by republican former prisoners through the nationalist areas, then handed over at the gates of the Peace Wall to former loyalist activists who tell the unionist perspective—offering direct, local testimony about recent decades of Belfast history.
Murals and political walls
The route takes in world‑famous political artworks on the International Wall, the Republican Memorial Garden and the Bobby Sands mural—visual records of community memory and political identity along the Falls Road.
A walk that tracks the Peace Wall
The tour follows the course of the Peace Wall, moves through Clonard (including Clonard Monastery Church) and Bombay Street—an epicentre of events in 1969—before crossing into the Shankill area and finishing on the Lower Shankill Road.
What the day feels like
What it feels like on the ground
The experience is conversational and urban: a three‑hour walking loop that begins at Coiste’s mural at Divis Tower and moves through the republican Falls Road with stop‑and‑talks at murals, memorials and local streets, then pauses at the Peace Wall gates for a handover to a loyalist guide who leads the group through Shankill, closing on the Lower Shankill Road.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour is three hours long and is conducted on foot through West Belfast.
The walk starts at Coiste’s mural at Divis Tower (Divis Street) and finishes on the Lower Shankill Road.
This joint Falls/Shankill Tour is operated by Coiste Irish Political Tours.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Falls/Shankill Tour?
The walking tour lasts three hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Coiste’s mural at Divis Tower (Divis Street) and finishes on the Lower Shankill Road.
Who leads the tour?
The tour is guided by republican former prisoners for the Falls leg and by former loyalist activists for the Shankill leg, providing perspectives from both communities.
What sites will we see on the route?
Highlights include the International Wall with political artworks, the Republican Memorial Garden, the Bobby Sands mural, Clonard Monastery Church, Bombay Street, the gates of the Peace Wall and sites in the Shankill area.
Is the tour suitable for people who cannot walk long distances?
Because the itinerary is a three‑hour walking tour across multiple outdoor stops and neighbourhood streets, it may be challenging for those unable to walk for extended periods.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-09-07T20:57:31.245Z
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Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.