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Belfast City Centre Walking Tour: A Detailed Journey into The Troubles
5.0
2,222 Ratings
Belfast
Embark on a 2.5-hour walking tour of Belfast City Centre to delve into the history of ‘the Troubles’. Explore significant locations, hear personal stories, and gain a unique understanding of the recent past.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 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.
- 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’.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
What's Included
- Local guide
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
In a 150-minute tour, our expert local tour guides take you on a time-travel expedition to the heart of Belfast. They will narrate the inception of ‘the Troubles’, take you to the sites where pivotal moments transpired, and provide an overview of the journey towards peace and potential future hurdles. The insight into the realities of experiencing the conflict and its ubiquitous presence will deepen your understanding. The narration is grounded in facts and historical accuracy to maintain impartiality. The guides, also being conflict historians, add their personal narratives to their guided tours offering you a living history experience, enabling you to visualise the 1970s Belfast and gain a special comprehension of the not-so-distant past. The tour commences every day at 10:30 AM.
- 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
Location
Donegall Square North
We meet at the front gates of Belfast City Hall in Donegall Square North. The tour starts every day at 10.30am. Your guide will be wearing a black jacket or t-shirt with the DC Tours logo on the left breast.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2222 Ratings)
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Ntzpedersen
Aug 28, 2024
Everybody should attend this - Our tour guide James was incredibly professional and gave an excellent insight about „the Troubles“ in Belfast.
It was great that he as well used his own background growing up in Belfast and a lot of knowledge to explain those complex political and historical circumstances.
Thanks to his humor and empathy this was a remarkable experience, we really appreciated to have participated in.
We can only recommend this tour very highly to everyone 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Liam
Aug 25, 2024
Outstanding! - Our guide , Jim, was an excellent host. His knowledge was impeccable and he worked the entire party really competently and comprehensively.
Would thoroughly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean_m
Aug 23, 2024
Excellent and knowledgeable guide - Jim was a very knowledgeable guide and had a great grasp of names and dates which made the tour real for me
Review provided by Viator
C8189qtaaronb
Aug 15, 2024
Steve was articulate and passionate - We joined the tour outside the City hall to gain a better and personal experience from someone local and Steve gave us that in abundance.
We were in a group of roughly 12 all from different parts of the world a different fitness levels and Steve’s approach was both accommodating and understanding.
Steve was extremely passionate in his guide and welcomed any questions asked with an array of knowledge.
I honestly would thoroughly recommend DC Tours as your tour guides and Steve, truly thankyou
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R340lhpaulb
Aug 11, 2024
Blast from the past to the modern in Belfast - How do you tackle the issue of planting an audience of all ages right back in the troubles of Ulster with the correct balance of finer feeling and compassion for the victims, locating it against political developments, delivered with the immediacy as if you are experiencing it at first hand, and even oiling the works with wit whenever appropriate.
Our personable and humorous guide James did it all, making nearly 3 hours feel like 45 mins, and giving us all a unique and deeply humanitarian account if the troubles in what has become the modern vibrant city of Belfast. The one-ear hearing aids were ideal for anyone with hearing problems, as extraneous noises were held at bay and James was ever-present, even if you felt like wandering off during the tour to order a coffee-to-go or visit the Lou(vre). To think that this was my emergency solution after I had failed to book other perhaps more prominently advertised tours. We could not have done better. Myself, and my old school friends of 60-odd years standing, came away with a souvenir that will never rust or end up in a flea market or at the back of a drawer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bethlaaust
Jun 29, 2024
An insight into Belfast’s complex, polarised history - Many years of complex history presented in a clear and thoughtful way - acknowledging the trauma of the past and its long shadow, with insights into the Belfast that is now emerging.
Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rob5345
Jun 15, 2024
Excellent and Informative - Extremely informative tour that really helps peel back some of the unusual things about this city. The guide was well balanced in delivering information and added a lot of human story perspective to the larger conflict picture. Very helpful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annette_c
May 26, 2024
Great tour - Paul was a great guide who had lots of stories of the people who suffered through the trouble as well as the historical facts. Would highly recommend this tour
Review provided by Viator
Sunita_p
May 18, 2024
Great Trip! - The tour guide was wonderful. Very knowledgeable. Was a wonderful small group and could hear and understand everything. Would highly recommend this tour and this tour guide. Viator is wonderful. We have used them for various tours around the world and have never been disappointed. Well worth the money!
Review provided by Viator
Darci_c
May 17, 2024
A "must" do in Belfast! - I enjoyed this tour this morning!
Please "highly" consider this tour if you are visiting Belfast. It is a must if you are interested in the hisory of Belfast. Our tour guide, Paul, was professional, thorough and extremely personable.
I never felt like I was lagging or missing information. I was pleasantly surprised at how personal a group of 25 could feel. Excellent!
5 stars!
Review provided by Viator
