2-hour Belfast Original Drivers the Troubles Black Taxi Tour
Description
We have been est over 25 years and our company is unique as our work force is 50% Republican and 50% loyalist work force and as seen on RICK STEVES and ANTHONY BOURDAIN Travel programme
Tour Options
Itinerary
history of the area. We begin in 1690, when King William the 3rd arrived in Ireland to defeat King James the 2nd at the famous Battle Of The Boyne. There will then be an explanation about the recent troubles, which started in 1969 and ended when the peace agreement was signed in 1998. You will be guided through the heart of Loyalist walk around the area, where your guide will explain the loyalist wall murals and what they depict. You will have the opportunity to take your own photographs of the loyalalist murals.
The peace walls were designed to separate the Catholic (Republicans) and Protestant (Loyalist) populations. The first ‘peace lines’ were erected, following the outbreak of War also known as the 1969 “The Troubles”. They were built as temporary structures, meant to last only six months. Due to their effective nature they were built higher, longer and made permanent. Today, the walls are adorned with art and messages of hope from tourists.
Visit the famous Falls road the birth place of the Provisional IRA was formed. Each section of this road and its political mural will be explained in detail and the reasons it exists. The next stop is the Sinn Fein press office, which is the site of the the most famous mural in the world Bobby Sands mural. You will hear about the history of the Irish hunger strike in H Blocks Prison in 1981.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Important: Due to operational requirements, cruise ship pick-up is no longer available. Instead, we'll meet you at a convenient location within 1 km of Belfast City Centre.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(276)
What an amazing morning we spent with Gerard, really learned a lot firsthand from a local who lived through the troubles. Can't recommend enough. I will tell anyone I know back home that may be coming to belfast to reach out. The whole family said it was the highlight of the city.
Our guide, Jimmy, did a great job helping us understand the conflict both past and present. Highly recommend this tour for those interested in the political situation in Belfast
The driver didn’t show up and the company didn’t take proper responsibility or was offering another arrangement. We found a different company that was keen to help and we took a tour with them.
Our driver was excellent. He started off by showing us where a bullet pierced his leg, killed his best friend, wife, and baby. This grabbed our attention. But he didn’t dwell on it. He kept it very objective, illustrating that the violence on both sides was terrible and many innocent people died for a peace that is still very precarious to this day. When I got to sign my name to the peace wall I was move to tears.
Thanks so much for your feedback Julie we’re really glad you enjoyed the tour.
Brenden’s tour was informative and exciting! He was lovely, and he definitely knows his history! He answered all of our questions along the way.
Thanks so much for your feedback Jessica we’re really glad you enjoyed the tour. We will make sure to pass your feedback onto Brendan!
George was our guide. Punctual, personally knowledgeable, friendly and respectful. He drove us around in his air conditioned van bringing to life the history of “ the troubles” with stories and personal anecdotes. He answered questions and we learned a lot from his personal insights. Thank you George and I did go ahead and watch the docuseries on Disney “ say nothing” I would highly recommend this tour to any visitor to Belfast.
Thanks so much for your feedback Rica we’re really glad you enjoyed the tour. We will make sure to pass your feedback onto George!
Me and my dad had the absolute privilege of having Brendan as our black cab tour guide. If I could give a 20 star rating I absolutely would! Brendan was fantastic! My dad is very poorly and going to Belfast was on his bucket list. Brendan went above and beyond to make our tour extra special. His care for my dad was truly heart warming. His knowledge and experiences that he shared with us really helped us have a greater understanding of the hardship and strength of the people of Belfast and their rich yet troubled history. It meant a lot to me to take my dad here and Brendan exceeded my expectation more than I can even explain. He even gave my dad his own personal rosemary beads at the end of the tour and took us to a cathedral to light candles, which I’m pretty sure was an extra special gesture from him. Brendan, I can’t thank you enough for making our trip so special. I can’t put into words how grateful I am. You are a beautiful person. Thank you.
Friendly and informative guide
As young adults in the late 70s and 80s we were aware of the clashes in Northern Ireland but we had no sense of the tremendous impact it head on the people themselves. Our Black Taxi driver shared his lived experience and took us to the neighborhoods on both sides of the “peace” wall. The way of life for the people was violent and traumatic. We felt the weight of it and were glad to know more about the people thanks to our driver’s stories. We will not forget “The Troubles’” and wish future generations a path towards peace.
Brilliant tour. Ricky is an amazing host, sharing the past and present of the Troubles as well as his peronal stories and insights.
