Belfast's Troubles Walking Tour

The tour begins at Belfast City Hall, the iconic heart of municipal government. It starts with an overview of the politics, terminology, and context of the Troubles, beginning with the story of Protestant King William III, who visited Belfast in 1690 on his way to confront his Catholic father-in-law, King James II, starting a long history of controversy and conflict on the island of Ireland. The tour then moves on to the Shankill area in west Belfast, whose residents are largely Protestant and regard themselves as British. You will then see and pass through the famous peace wall, a separation barrier built by the British Army in 1969, to try and prevent inter-communal violence. Transitioning into the Falls Catholic neighbourhood, you'll find a different approach to remembering the Troubles. The residents here would regard themselves as largely Irish, with many wanting Northern Ireland to be part of the Republic of Ireland. The tour then concludes at at City Hall, placing you back in the heart of Belfast.