Belfast Peace Walls, Belfast (must see)

The Belfast Peace Walls are among the most striking and enduring physical reminders of the Troubles. Rather than a single structure, Belfast’s “peace walls” or “peace lines” form a network of barriers separating predominantly Catholic nationalist communities from predominantly Protestant unionist communities. The first appeared in 1969, following intense sectarian violence and rioting. Originally intended as temporary measures to reduce confrontation between neighbouring communities, simple barriers of barbed wire gradually gave way to more substantial walls of brick, concrete and steel.

The best-known section runs along Cupar Way in West Belfast, between areas around the nationalist Falls Road and unionist Shankill Road. Rising in places to around eight metres (or 25 feet), the wall provides a dramatic illustration of how physically divided Belfast became during the conflict. As you start at the western end of Cupar Way, look up at the towering grey concrete panels topped with security mesh. Gates were installed at various points to allow movement between communities, although some interface gates continue to operate on restricted schedules.

Ironically, despite their supposedly temporary nature, the barriers not only remained but increased in number over the following decades, with new structures still being erected long after the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Various initiatives have since sought to remove the barriers, but the process has proved complicated. Although the walls symbolise division, some residents living beside them continue to regard them as providing security, illustrating the lasting impact of the Troubles on Belfast’s communities.

Today, the Cupar Way Peace Wall has evolved into an extraordinary open-air gallery. Graffiti and street art intermingle with colourful murals, political imagery and messages calling for peace and reconciliation. Visitors from around the world have added signatures and personal messages, transforming sections of the once purely defensive structure into a constantly changing canvas. Wherever you stop along the wall, you’re bound to find something worth examining. Pay particular attention to the layers of imagery: graffiti overlaps earlier political artwork, while handwritten messages from visitors are scattered across both.

For visitors walking between the Falls and Shankill Roads, following the Peace Wall is one of the tour’s most thought-provoking experiences. Take time to examine the artwork and messages covering its surface. Few landmarks demonstrate Belfast’s recent history quite so literally: a wall built to keep communities apart now draws people from around the world together to reflect on the meaning of peace.