City tour

Throughout your day tour we’ll explore Belfast and take in many of the highlights of the city, including City Hall, The Cathedral Quarter and the Belfast’s famous Murals.

Crumlin road Gaol

As part of our tour, we’ll visit Crumlin Road Gaol, a working prison that dates back to 1845. Closed in 1996, renovations have transformed the gaol into a visitor attraction and a must-visit whilst in Belfast.

It is possible to explore the prison as part of the Rumlin Road Gaol Experience today, learning about the history of the prison, including how women and children were housed there, as well as the segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners during the political segregation period.

The tour includes visiting the underground tunnel that connected the gaol with Crumlin Road Courthouse, viewing all the wings from the circle, and paying a visit to the condemned man’s cell as well as the execution cell where most of the 17 men were executed.

Stormont

Northern Ireland’s Government and the Offices of the First and Deputy First Ministers are located at Stormont Castle. Aside from serving as a place for the Executive to meet and agree on government policy, it’s also a striking architectural piece.

Built in 1830, architect Thomas Turner redesigned its exterior to the fashionable Scottish Baronial style in 1858, giving it the name ‘Stormont Castle’. But by the late 1990s, the castle had suffered the ravages of time and was in poor condition. A comprehensive restoration programme brought the building back to its former glory, although some of its features have been lost, the majority of state rooms retain their original classical splendour.

Cathedral Quarter

This historic merchant quarter is a maze of cobblestoned streets and warehouses that have been filled with trendy bars, beer gardens, clubs and restaurants. There are plenty of attractions to see in the area, including the Metropolitan Arts Centre (the MAC), St Anne’s Cathedral, the NI War Memorial and the Discover Ulster Scots Centre. Full of colourful street art, this area of town buzzes with music, entertainment and fun at night.

The Romanesque Cathedral Church of St. Anne, also known as Belfast Cathedral, has been a place of Christian worship for over 100 years. The foundation stone was laid in 1899, and it has continued to grow over the decades.

Among the majestic features of the Cathedral are the iconic Spire of Hope, intricate mosaics by the Martin sisters, carved stonework by Rosamond Praeger, Morris Harding, and Esmond Burton, and spectacular stained glass windows! Discover the symbolic meaning and stories that have been woven into the fabric of Belfast Cathedral, and find a moment of reflection in its peaceful space.

Falls Road & The Murals

‘The Falls’ is unquestionably one of the most famous areas in Belfast, a Nationalist & Republican area that gained worldwide media attention during ‘The Troubles’.

In August 1969, several streets off Falls Road were burnt out, killing six Catholics. The British Army was drafted in to protect Catholics during these years due to tensions resulting from the civil rights movement. Many of the local residents were isolated because of the heavy-handed tactics used by the British Army.

The following year British soldiers sealed off The Falls resulting in a fight now referred to as ‘The Battle of the Falls’. Thousands of homes were sealed in for 36 hours while soldiers searched house to house for weapons. The curfew quickly turned into a riot after the use of tear gas, with guns being brought onto the streets and live round exchanges being made between IRA and British soldiers.

This event can be argued to be the beginning of The Troubles that overshadowed Northern Ireland for the next 30 years. In 1994 President Bill Clinton visited Northern Ireland to seal The Good Friday Agreement, bringing an end to the dispute.

Street art, also known as The Belfast Murals,  can be found around ‘The Falls’. From the past to the present, the art in this area delivers a republican message and we’ll see many of these works on the tour.

Belfast Castle

Titanic Quarter

Discover Belfast’s legendary urban waterfront and maritime heritage centre. As part of Belfast’s Maritime Mile, visitors can explore the maritime and industrial history of the Titanic Quarter.

The Titanic Quarter, located on the slipways where Titanic and her sisters were launched, is a geographically important area for Belfast’s heritage and its 20,000 residents, workers, visitors, and residents.

This was the place where Titanic was designed, built and launched. From her conception to her launch and maiden voyage, Titanic Belfast traces the story of Titanic from conception to legacy.

We will explore the SS Nomadic at Hamilton Dock as part of our visit. For more than 120 years (from 1867 to 1990), ships were repaired, maintained, and fitted out at this facility. In addition to being the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world, Nomadic was also tender to Titanic! Step on board and experience over 100 years of Northern Ireland’s maritime and social history.