Belfast Shore Excursion to Belfast Murals

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3 Donegall Square E, Belfast BT1 5HB
From: £110
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Duration

90 Minutes

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

15 people

Languages

English

About this tour

Belfast Murals Shore Excursion Details

For cruise ship visitors to Belfast looking for an exciting and informative day tour, we offer private shore excursions from the comfort of a traditional London-style black taxi or executive vehicle. This award-winning Belfast Mural Tour takes you on a journey through the city’s political history and famous wall murals, giving you a local’s perspective on the Troubles.

The tour begins with a visit to the Loyalist Shankill Road, the Republican Falls Road, and the dividing Peace Walls. Your knowledgeable guide will share the stories and history behind each wall mural. The tour also includes stops at Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden, the Sinn Fein press office, and the International Wall.

This Belfast shore excursion is perfect for those who want to avoid waiting at the port, with pick-up and drop-off at Belfast Port, 30 minutes after the ship has docked. The tour provides ample photo opportunities and even allows you to sign your name on the famous Peace Wall.

At the end of the tour, you will be transported back to the Belfast cruise ship in time for departure. As one of Northern Ireland’s leading tour companies, we are equipped to handle any group size and can adjust our times to suit your needs.

For more information, please contact us at 02896 00 50 23 email us at [email protected]

belfast murals

The Belfast murals stand as a poignant and striking testament to Northern Ireland’s tumultuous history, cultural identity, and the enduring legacy of conflict and reconciliation. Adorning the walls of neighborhoods throughout the city, these murals serve as powerful visual narratives, reflecting the complex and often divisive issues that have shaped Belfast’s past and present.

The origins of the Belfast murals can be traced back to the period known as “The Troubles,” a decades-long sectarian conflict that gripped Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. During this time, the streets of Belfast became battlegrounds for political and sectarian violence, as tensions between nationalist Catholic communities and unionist Protestant communities reached a boiling point.

Amidst the turmoil and violence, murals emerged as a form of expression and defiance for both communities. Initially, they served as political statements, conveying messages of resistance, solidarity, and cultural identity. The walls of Belfast became canvases for artists and activists, who used mural painting as a means of commemorating fallen heroes, expressing grievances, and asserting cultural pride.

The themes depicted in the Belfast murals are diverse and multifaceted, reflecting the complex layers of Northern Ireland’s history and politics. Many murals depict scenes of armed struggle, commemorating individuals who lost their lives in the conflict or celebrating the resilience of communities in the face of adversity. Others pay homage to cultural icons, historical figures, and symbols of resistance, serving as reminders of the enduring spirit of the people of Belfast.

One of the most iconic images found in the Belfast murals is that of Bobby Sands, a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who died while on hunger strike in 1981. Sands’ image, alongside other hunger strikers and republican symbols, adorns numerous walls in nationalist neighborhoods, serving as a potent symbol of resistance and sacrifice.

In unionist neighborhoods, murals often reflect a different set of symbols and narratives, celebrating British heritage, military history, and loyalty to the United Kingdom. Images of the Union Jack, the Red Hand of Ulster, and historical figures such as King William III, who is revered by unionists for his victory at the Battle of the Boyne, are common motifs in these murals.

While the Belfast murals have historically been associated with political and sectarian divisions, they have also played a crucial role in the peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts that have taken place in Northern Ireland in recent decades. Following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which brought an end to the violence and paved the way for power-sharing and reconciliation, many murals underwent transformation, reflecting a new era of hope and reconciliation.

In some cases, former paramilitary leaders and activists from both sides of the conflict have collaborated with artists and community organizations to create murals that promote messages of peace, reconciliation, and cross-community dialogue. These murals often feature images of hands reaching out in friendship, symbols of diversity and inclusion, and messages of hope for a brighter future.

Today, the Belfast murals continue to evolve, reflecting the changing dynamics of Northern Ireland’s society and politics. While many murals remain deeply rooted in the history and memory of the conflict, new themes and narratives have emerged, reflecting contemporary issues such as social justice, environmentalism, and human rights.

The Belfast murals are not only works of art but also powerful symbols of the resilience, creativity, and determination of the people of Belfast to overcome the divisions of the past and build a more inclusive and peaceful society. As visitors wander through the streets of the city, they are invited to engage with these murals, to reflect on their meaning and significance, and to bear witness to the enduring legacy of conflict and reconciliation in Northern Ireland’s troubled history.

Included/Excluded

  • Authentic London Style Taxi Cab or Executive Vehicle
  • Experienced Driver / Local Tour Guide
  • Food & Refreshments
  • Any Private Expenses

Itinerary

The peace walls are a significant symbol of the division and conflict that took place in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. However, in recent years, there have been efforts to bring the communities together and take down the peace walls. While some have been removed, many still remain as a reminder of the past and the ongoing process of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

The Bobby Sands mural depicts Sands, who was an Irish Republican and a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, who died while on hunger strike in 1981 while imprisoned in the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. The mural serves as a tribute to Sands and the broader Irish Republican movement, and visitors will learn about the history and significance of the hunger strike and the wider conflict in Northern Ireland.

At the International Wall, you will have the opportunity to see murals that showcase various forms of oppression around the world, not just limited to the Northern Ireland conflict. The murals may depict events such as the civil rights movement in America, the struggles of the Palestinian people, and other similar themes. The wall serves as a platform to raise awareness and inspire activism against injustices and oppressive regimes. You will learn about the cultural and political significance of these murals and the impact they have on local and global communities.

Durations

0 - 3 hours
90 Minutes

Languages

English

Tour's Location

3 Donegall Square E, Belfast BT1 5HB

Bulk discount (by Amount)

Bulk discount adult
# Discount group From adult To adult Value
1 1 1 1 £0
2 2 2 2 £110
3 3 3 3 £185
4 4 4 4 £260
5 5 5 5 £335
6 6 6 6 £410
7 7 7 7 £485
8 8 8 8 £560
9 9 9 9 £635
10 10 10 10 £710
11 11 11 11 £785
12 12 12 12 £860
13 13 13 13 £935
14 14 14 14 £1010
15 15 15 15 £1085
From: £110

Owner

Tour Team

Member Since 2022

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