The opportunity to experience a tour of a lifetime.
Understanding Belfast's troubled history with a honestly presented political tour by Republican and Loyalist ex-political prisoners. Discover a side of Belfast you won't find in the Tourist books, We invite you to walk the streets of the city on both sides of the Peace Wall with the men and women who have served time in prisons of Northern Ireland for standing up for their beliefs. Republican and Loyalist ex-prisoners will share their own personal stories and the effects on their communities and explain the murals that tell the local history and culture of each area. The only tour to give you two truly opposing views of 'The Troubles' through the streets of West Belfast. A portion of the tours proceeds goes to working with local children in cross community projects.
Posted By : Heather_G
Hands down the highlight of my trip. Whilst there is a lot of fanfare for tourist attractions such as the Titanic Museum and the Cathedral Quarter, this tour dives into the issues at the heart of the city. Both Paul, the Republican guide, as well as the ex-British soldier, did an incredible job leading both halves of the tour. They spoke on the divide in Belfast and gave first-hand accounts of the Troubles. I found Paul's story to be particularly fascinating as an ex-prisoner, detailing the events that led to the war as well as knowledge that cannot be easily accessed in the press. Having both sides speak was a unique and invaluable experience that helped me understand the full picture including the current day climate. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone visiting Belfast; this is how you learn history!
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Posted On : 2024-06-28 18:18:32 
Posted By : KeithL827
Our guide for the first part of the tour was Gerrard a former IRA prisoner who at the age of 18 was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for storing arms and bomb making equiprment for the IRA. He was a passionate Republican who told us that he would not rest until the island of Ireland became united and he maintained that his views were shared by the majority of the population. Whilst his version of history was entirely appropriate for this tour what was neither appropriate nor called for was a lengthy lecture about the situation in Gaza and his support of the Pallestinian cause and criticism of Israel. This was completely unnecessary and inapproproprite for a tour dealing with the conflict in Ireland and further it resulted in his share of the tour over running by over 30 minutes and the tour being unballanced.
Afrer passing through one of the gates in the so-called Peace Wall which still divides the Catholic Community of the Falls Road from the Protestant Shanklin Road we were handed over to our guide for the second part of the tour. Our guide was a retired sergeant major in the British Army who had suffered three assassination attempts on his life including a bomb placed beneath his car. His delivery was more professional and he stuck to the facts. He presented a very pessimistic view for the future of Northern Ireland informing us that recruitment for the UVF was strong as a result of resentment within the Protestant community of what they perceived to be a "sell out" and failure by the politicians which had left former IRA terrorists in charge and unpunished. Although this walking tour is a harrowing and raw experience it one which is essentail for any visitor to Belfast who wants an insight into the Troubles and the future for Ulster.
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Posted On : 2024-06-27 07:19:13 
Posted By : Karen_C
My husband and I were blown away by this tour.... it challenged perceptions and understanding about the very unique history of Belfast and it's people. It's nearly a week since we completed the tour and I keep finding myself processing what we heard.
Both guides were engaging and passionate and prepared to answer any questions asked of them. I came away knowing a lot more than before but also with a lot more I want to find out.
The 3 hours flew by to be honest ... one tip...... take a drink if you will need one as there were no breaks or opportunities to grab something once we arrived at the starting point.
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Posted On : 2024-06-17 12:42:14
Posted By : johnmM2061UW
As a young American tourist who's read so much about the Northern Ireland Troubles, this tour was truly fascinating. Being led through Falls Road by Robert, an ex-IRA member who was in prison with Bobby Sands was surreal and very engaging. Seeing the Falls Road and the Shankill Road areas (Mark led us around Shankill), and how much the Troubles and sectarianism still defines these neighborhoods, was also sobering to see. The guides answered all questions, and showed us the exact sites of killings and bombings.
Was especially interesting to hear Robert (ex-IRA) have some optimism for the future and reconciliation with the community, while Mark (ex-British military) was much more pessimistic. It made me realize that the peace that was won in 1998 is fragile, at least in West Belfast.
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Posted On : 2024-06-13 18:59:49
Posted By : DSouzaCAD
Good to hear from people who lived through the troubles and were active participants. Tour split in 2 and we walked and talked equally on Catholic and Protestant sides of the wall. They answered all questions asked and showed us places where there had been atrocities on both sides....very hard things to see and listen to...no solutions offered...just opinions and information on what people wanted. One guy was ex military the other was Sinn Fein...Best tour I've ever done...left me feeling is there any hope for peace ...No
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Posted On : 2024-06-12 04:28:21
Posted By : Carolyn_N
Eye opening that segregation is still in place. Sad.great information . Well done. Prospective from both sides
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Posted On : 2024-06-12 03:44:30
Posted By : Patricia_Y
I was expecting to hear both sides of the Troubles. The republican side was a mess. Gerald spent 1/2 the time talking about Isreal/Gaza. He kept repeating himself and glossed over major events. The unionist side was well presented but biased. I expected bias on both sides but you weigh the issues when one side is so poorly presented.
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Posted On : 2024-06-10 17:06:30
Posted By : Sarah_M
Jack and Mark, in their own separate tours, gave us a whole picture of the conflict, from Jack’s historical context and personal story to Mark’s cultural perspective and heartfelt stories.
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Posted On : 2024-06-09 16:16:03
Posted By : Joe_T
The reality of the existing environment presented by the people who personally experienced, lived and are currently living through the troubles brilliantly presented.
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Posted On : 2024-06-07 04:55:23
Posted By : Deborah_H
A really good tour if you are interested in the history and up to date conflict in West Belfast. Jack shared his experiences with personal stories of his life and his role in the the conflict. Mark told the other side of the story showing us the wall and other locations of incidents.
Interesting to hear both perspectives.
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Posted On : 2024-06-07 02:27:02
