Belfast Taxi Tour: Explore The City's Past and Murals Through Local Insights

Immerse yourself in Belfast’s troubled past and vibrant street art scene on a private taxi tour. Explore the city’s murals, learn about the Troubles, and leave your mark on the largest Peace Wall in Western Europe!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Falls Road - A visit to the World Famous Murals at the International Wall to learn all about the conflict. Ample photo opportunities-Learn about Belfast’s Dark History! Get a local’s insight into the Troubles that divided Belfast and how they shaped the city and its street art on this intimate street art tour. See colorful murals created by both Nationalist and Loyalist communities, including the celebrated Peace Wall, as you travel around Belfast with ease in your very own Private Transportation!
  • Peace Wall - A visit to See and Photograph the Peace Wall which still divides Belfast to this very day. Write your Name and a Message of Hope on the Wall, other notable signatories include US President Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama
  • Clonard Monastery - See the beautiful Clonard Monastery and where it is situated right in the middle of no-mans land.
  • Clonard Gardens - A visit to the Irish Republican Army C Company Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden in Bombay Street. You will learn a lot of history and how the conflict began in 1969, Address: Bombay Street, Clonard.
    Commemorating: Fallen Volunteers of IRA “C” Company, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade, Oglaigh na hEireann. Civilian casualties from the Greater Clonard area. Deceased Republican prisoners from the Greater Clonard area 1916-1970.
    Commissioned by: Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners’ Association.
    Date unveiled: 20 August 2000
    Notes: Plaques in memory of all Republican prisoners from the area who have died since 1916 were unveiled on 11 March 2001. Annual commemorative march held around 11th March.
  • Shankill Road - View the Loyalist UDA & UVF Murals
    See King William of Orange Aka King Billy Mural
    Take photos
  • International Mural Wall Divis Street - Politically Charged Street Art Murals in Northern Ireland have become symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region’s past and present political and religious divisions.

Belfast and Derry contain arguably the most famous political murals in Europe. It is believed that almost 2,000 murals have been documented since the 1970s. In 2014, the book, The Belfast Mural Guide estimated that, in Belfast, there were approximately 300 quality murals on display, with many more in varying degrees of age and decay. Murals commemorate, communicate and display aspects of culture and history. The themes of murals often reflect what is important to a particular community. A mural therefore exists to express an idea or message and could generally be seen as reflecting values held dear to that community.

In Irish republican areas the themes of murals can range from the 1981 Irish hunger strike, with particular emphasis on strike leader Bobby Sands; murals of international solidarity with revolutionary groups are equally common, as are those which highlight a particular issue, for example the Ballymurphy Massacre or the McGurk’s Bar bombing. In working class unionist communities, murals are used to promote Ulster loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force and commemorate their deceased members. However traditional themes such as William III of England and the Battle of the Boyne, the Battle of the Somme and the 36th Ulster Division are equally common

  • Shankill Road - The Bayardo Bar attack took place on 13 August 1975 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), led by Brendan McFarlane, launched a bombing and shooting attack on a pub on Aberdeen Street, in the loyalist Shankill area. IRA members claimed the pub was targeted because it was frequented by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). Four Protestant civilians and one UVF member were killed, while more than fifty were injured.
  • Bobby Sands Mural - In Irish republican areas the themes of murals can range from the 1981 Irish hunger strike, with particular emphasis on hunger strike leader IRA Volunteer Bobby Sands.
  • St Peter’s Cathedral - Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast. (Irish: Ard Eaglais Naomh Peadar) is the Roman Catholic cathedral church for the Diocese of Down and Connor, and is therefore the episcopal seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor. It is located in the Divis Street area of the Falls Road in Belfast, Northern Ireland and construction began in the 1860s. It is home to St Peter’s Schola Cantorum (Choir).
  • Cupar Way - The peace lines or peace walls are a series of separation barriers in Northern Ireland that separate predominantly Republican and Nationalist Catholic neighbourhoods from predominantly Loyalist and Unionist Protestant neighbourhoods. They have been built at urban interface areas in Belfast, Derry, Portadown and elsewhere. The stated purpose of the peace lines is to minimise inter-communal violence between Catholics (most of whom are nationalists who self-identify as Irish and Protestants (most of whom are unionists who self-identify as British.
    The peace lines range in length from a few hundred yards to over three miles (5 km). They may be made of iron, brick, and/or steel and are up to 25 feet (8 m) high. Some have gates in them (sometimes staffed by police) that allow passage during daylight but are closed at night.
    The majority of peace walls are located in Belfast, but they also exist in Derry, Portadown, and Lurgan.
  • Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden - Commemorating: Fallen Volunteers of “C” Company, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade, Oglaigh na hEireann. Civilian casualties from the Greater Clonard area. Deceased Republican prisoners from the Greater Clonard area 1916-1970.
  • 56 Sherbrook Cl - photo the armed Loyalist murals
  • Shankill Road Memorial Garden - Visit the Bayardo Memorial Garden on the Loyalist Side
  • Bobby Sands Mural - Visit and Photo the World Famous Mural of Bobby Sands, the Leader of the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike.
  • Garden of Remembrance - Visit and Photo the IRA Belfast Brigade D Company Garden of Remembrance.
  • Falls Road - See the Welcome Wall and Divis Tower Where the British Army had a Sniper’s Nest, this is the Heart of The IRA’s Territory.
What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Visit both sides of the divide: British Loyalist Protestant & Catholic Irish Republican
  • See Bobby Sands, Falls Road, and Shankill political murals up close, including the Peace Walls
  • Personalized service and itinerary of a private tour
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Hassle-free round-trip transfer from your hotel
  • Write your name on the Peace Wall
  • Gain insight into Belfast’s history and culture from your guide
  • Tour guides are Belfast locals who lived through the TROUBLES
  • See and handle real plastic and rubber bullets used by British Crown Forces
  • Free pick-up and drop-off at Leonardo Hotel Belfast City Centre
  • See the Peace Walls and Peace Gates up close
  • Learn about Ireland’s Bloody History & the city’s former conflict ‘The TROUBLES’ from your guide
  • Driver handles navigation, allowing you to admire the city
  • Free Belfast hotel/Airbnb pickup and drop-off (Belfast City Centre only)
What's Not Included
  • Tip for your Guide
  • Upgrade to OUR VIP PACKAGE Top of The Range Luxury Mercedes Benz V-Class for £20(When Available)
  • Pickup or Drop off to Titanic Museum or Crumlin Road Gaol, Lanyon Train Station Extra £10 Cash
  • Cruise Ship Extra £20 Pickup & £20 Drop Back Off Paid in Cash to Your Tour Guide
  • Pickup/drop off at Queen’s University/Botanic gardens/Ulster Museum/St George’s Extra £10
Additional Information

Experience firsthand the impact of Belfast’s Troubles through this immersive mural tour led by a local. Observe the vibrant murals from both Republican/Catholic and Loyalist/Protestant factions, including a trip to the iconic Peace Wall in the comfort of your private vehicle. Explore areas deeply affected by the conflict and gain insights into over 800 years of history. Your guide, equipped with visual support, will paint a vivid picture of life during the Troubles. Your journey includes a visit to the commemorative gardens, and stops at the peace lines and walls where you’ll have the opportunity to leave your signature and a message on the biggest Peace Wall in Western Europe! Umbrellas will be provided should the weather require. Flexible start times ensure this private excursion fits into most itineraries.

  • Tour Start Times8am 9am 10 11am 12 1pm 2 3pm 4 5pm Please indicate which time slot suits you
Location
Leonardo Hotel Belfast - Formerly Jurys Inn
Great Victoria Street
Free Belfast Hotel/AirBnb pickup and drop-off (if requested) Belfast City Centre Only! Cruise Ship Port Pickup £20 Cruise Ship Port Drop Back Off £20
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(557 Ratings)
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Debbie_b
Aug 12, 2024
A great day in Belfast - Our guide, Paula was outstanding. This will be our absolute favorite tour that we have ever been on. We learned so much and it was so interesting. Loved Belfast and Paula! Highly recommend this tour!!!!!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Heidi_g
Aug 11, 2024
Don’t miss this tour with Barry as your guide!!! - Barry was beyond fabulous!!! His knowledge of the history of Ireland and the city of Belfast was brilliant. He taught our group so much and we absolutely LOVED this tour!!! Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Viator
Karen_n
Aug 11, 2024
Exceptional Tour with an exceptional Guide - Paula our tour guide was amazing with so much information to share with us We thoroughly enjoyed our time spent with her We have done several tours in the past but to have a guide like Paula was exceptional and left us feeling like we knew the history so much more
Review provided by Viator
Jlckehoe
Aug 5, 2024
Absolute must. Great guide. - Paula was a fantastic guide! She is very knowledgeable & a joy to spend the afternoon with. Was a great history lesson of the Troubles & status of things now. Would definitely recommend this tour for anyone visiting Belfast.
Review provided by Viator
Kelly_m
Aug 4, 2024
Experiencing History! - Our guide Paula was great. She was able to explain the history of the conflict in Ireland by taking us back to when the English began its rule of Ireland and the many wars that lead to current day. She should us both sides, helped us sign the peace wall and added personal stories from her own family’s history. The personal stories she shared made the history come to life. She was a great guide!
Review provided by Viator
Suzanne_s
Aug 4, 2024
very worthwhile tour. - Paula did an excellent job presenting the history of The Troubles. explaining the murals, the conflict that began centuries ago and still exists today. very balanced and thoughtful presentation.
Review provided by Viator
Paul_h
Aug 4, 2024
A must do trip! - This was an outstanding experience which we would highly recommend when visiting Belfast. Our guide Jason went above and beyond our expectations. Jason’s first hand and very personal story of his life and the way it was during the troubles gave us a very moving perspective which we all greatly appreciated. Many thanks Jason. .
Review provided by Viator
Mark_m
Jul 31, 2024
Great Guide - Awesome guide - very informative and passionate about telling the history and showing great sites in the neighborhoods Well worth it!!!
Review provided by Viator
Olivia_h
Jul 30, 2024
A humbling experience for all - Our driver Paula was extremely knowledgable about Irelands history. Her enthusiasm and passion draws you in, wanting to know more about the conflicts and the ongoing troubles Ireland is experiencing to this day. She was able to clearly and fairly depict both side of the story without bias or hate. The experience was amazing and recommended for any age group. Even if you have little understanding, the conflict is broken down and explained in simplistic terms for all to understand. We had a fabulous day, thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Marian_r
Jul 28, 2024
Super Informative! - We had a wonderful tour with Paula! She was so informative and gave a local’s perspective. I learned so much I didn’t know. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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