Black Cab Tours in Belfast

From writing your name on the Peace Wall to holding real rubber bullets used to quell crowds, this tour of Belfast gives travelers an interesting perspective of The Troubles that plagued Northern Ireland for almost 40 years.

Paddy Campbell’s Belfast Famous Black Cab Tours offers a variety of unique excursions to sights including the Crumlin Road Jail and Court House and the shipyard where the Titanic was both built and docked before it’s voyage. Instead, I chose the tour of the Peaceline and political murals all over the city.

While on this tour, my guide started with the murals along Hopewell Cres and Shankhill Parade. He gave a short and interesting explanation of the historical significance behind the paintings, which I found helpful when viewing portraits of former military members and a depiction of the red hand of Ulster. My favorite was a particularly unsettling piece. It featured a UFF member pointing his gun at the viewer, but due to the angle the painter chose, it follows you no matter where you stand.

We then moved on to the Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden on Bombay Street in Clonard. The memorials within are in memory of Republican prisoners, volunteers, civilian casualties from the area and more. Here, my guide went a step further and brought out plastic and rubber bullets that police used to disband crowds during conflicts.

Throughout the tour, I was able to get a few short glimpses and peeks of the wall and in the end, I finally was able see and touch it. The guides also carry Sharpies in case you want to scribble a short message of peace, or write your name.

If you’re looking to learn about The Troubles or are staying in Belfast for an extended trip, this tour will definitely help you gain the perspective of those affected.