Crumlin Road Gaol, located in north Belfast, is one of the city's most compelling historical landmarks. Built between 1843 and 1845, the prison was operational for over 150 years and once held men, women, and children. Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, the Victorian-era building was modeled on the radial prison design popular at the time, intended to improve surveillance and control. Now preserved as a museum and visitor attraction, it offers a stark insight into Northern Ireland’s troubled past and evolving justice system.

During its working years, Crumlin Road Gaol witnessed significant chapters of Irish history-from housing suffragettes and political prisoners during the Irish War of Independence to detaining individuals during the period known as The Troubles. The prison also held public executions, with the last hanging taking place in 1961. Visitors today can walk through restored cells, explore the underground tunnel that once connected the gaol to the nearby courthouse, and view the execution chamber that remains chillingly intact.

Guided tours and exhibitions detail the daily routines of prisoners, the harsh conditions they endured, and the broader political and social context that shaped the prison’s legacy. The preserved architecture, including its imposing facade and central hub layout, adds to the sense of immersion. Special events, evening ghost tours, and temporary exhibitions also offer unique ways to engage with the site.

Crumlin Road Gaol stands as a somber yet important reminder of Belfast’s complex history, inviting visitors to reflect on the intersections of punishment, politics, and human rights.

The Shankill Road is the arterial spine of West Belfast, stretching approximately 1.5 miles from the city centre towards the suburb of Woodvale. It arises from the Irish “road of the old church”, in reference to a 5th-century church once located here, remnants of which survive in the adjacent graveyard. Today, the road is a bustling portrait of working‑class loyalist life, lined with shops, schools, churches, and local services serving the Court district.

Once a 19th-century linen hub with streets named after Belgian flax regions, Shankill Road later became a center of loyalist activity during the Troubles. Groups like the Shankill Defence Association and UVF formed here, and the 1993 bombing at Frizzell’s Fish Shop marked a tragic chapter. Today, murals and memorials reflect both pride and remembrance.

Visitors will notice vibrant murals and peace lines peppered along the route, reflecting sectarian tensions while signaling hope. The famous Shankill Graveyard, dating back over a millennium, and the Somme memorial beside it, pay tribute to generations-including soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division. Nearby lie community treasures: the Shankill Women’s Centre, old pubs like the Rex Bar, and various sports facilities dedicated to boxing and football-halls of fame where locals such as Norman Whiteside and Wayne McCullough once trained.

Today, the Shankill Road offers tourists a genuine and complex Belfast experience. From its roots in early Christianity to its industrial heyday and through periods of conflict and reconciliation, this thoroughfare embodies a living neighbourhood. Visitors can explore its poignant memorials, admire street art, and enjoy the community spirit in local cafés, shops, or on a guided walking tour.

The Belfast Peace Walls are barriers that separate Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods through the city. They were originally built in 1969 to establish peace by separating sectarian groups. Today, they are popular tourist attractions.

Arguably, the most famous Peace Wall is located between Shankill Road and Falls Road. There is also a large Peace Wall along Cupar Way, which has become a canvas for local artists. Graffiti and street art intermingle on the Peace Walls to provide color to the city while also reminding citizens and tourists of the strife of the country.

The walls were originally meant to be temporary structures. Ironically, the structures have not only stayed in place, but have increased in number. The most recent Peace Wall was constructed in 2017. There are now 59 in the city.

The Belfast City Council began a plan to remove the Peace Walls, but the vast majority of residents believe they continue to help quell violence. Still, the plan is for all Peace Walls to be removed in the future.

Falls Road, winding approximately two miles (3.2 kilometers) west from Belfast’s city centre to Andersonstown, is the beating heart of west Belfast’s Catholic and Irish‑Republican community. Once a humble country lane named from Irish "territory of the enclosures", it thrived during the 19th‑century Industrial Revolution as narrow terraces sprouted to house workers in Belfast’s legendary linen mills. Today, the road remains densely residential, lined with small shops, churches, schools, and community spaces – a living portrait of local life.

During the Troubles, Falls Road was a flashpoint of political conflict, lying just across the infamous Peace Wall from the predominantly Protestant Shankill Road. It witnessed events such as the 1970 "Falls Curfew," during which the British Army sealed off thousands of homes, sparking fierce confrontation and controversy. Mural art became the community’s visual voice – the Bobby Sands portrait, the International and Solidarity Walls, and republican memorials stand today as vivid expressions of identity, resistance, and remembrance.

Since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, violence has largely ceased, yet the Peace Wall remains, alongside evolving murals that now include global themes, such as solidarity with other struggles. Stop‑off highlights include the Garden of Remembrance, Clonard Monastery, Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum (in a restored 1842 linen mill), and the vibrant Irish‑language cultural hub Culturlann McAdam O Fiaich.

Today, Falls Road isn’t just a historical zone-it’s a dynamic quarter alive with community culture. Chat with locals in cafés, browse the Gaelic bookstore An Ceathru Poili, or catch an Irish play or music event at the Culturlann. Whether you seek poignant murals, compelling oral histories, or glimpses into Belfast’s evolving cultural identity, Falls Road offers an immersive and unforgettable introduction to the city.

The Irish Republican History Museum offers visitors a thought-provoking window into one of the most turbulent and defining chapters of Ireland’s past. Located in the historic Falls Road area, the museum was established in 2007 by the late former republican prisoner Eileen Hickey. Its mission is to preserve and present the story of Ireland’s struggle for independence and the long period of conflict known as “the Troubles,” with a particular focus on the experiences of republican communities in Belfast.

Inside, the museum’s exhibits are both poignant and powerful. Visitors encounter a wide range of artifacts, from personal belongings of political prisoners to uniforms, posters, photographs, and artwork created during imprisonment. These objects tell deeply human stories of resilience, loss, and defiance, offering an intimate perspective that complements the broader historical narratives found elsewhere in the city. The museum also highlights the role of women in the republican movement, reflecting Hickey’s own commitment to ensuring female voices were not overlooked.

For many travelers, a visit here is an opportunity to better understand the complexities of Northern Ireland’s past. The displays present both the struggles and the cultural expressions of a community that lived through decades of conflict, allowing visitors to engage with history on a personal level. Beyond artifacts, the museum hosts talks, events, and temporary exhibitions that continue to explore themes of identity, politics, and social change.

A stop at the Irish Republican History Museum is not only an encounter with objects, but with memory itself. It offers a chance to reflect on Belfast’s layered history, the costs of division, and the enduring hope for peace and reconciliation that shapes the city today.

Belfast Cathedral, also known as Saint Anne’s Cathedral, stands as one of the city’s most striking landmarks, blending spiritual significance with architectural beauty. Located in the Cathedral Quarter-the historic heart of Belfast-this Anglican cathedral was founded in 1899 and has since become both a place of worship and a cultural hub. With its grand Romanesque Revival design, intricate mosaics, and commanding presence, the cathedral offers visitors a serene yet awe-inspiring atmosphere that reflects the city’s rich history and enduring spirit.

The building itself tells a story of resilience and ambition. Constructed over many decades, it combines late Victorian foundations with additions made throughout the 20th century, including the striking Spire of Hope, a modern stainless-steel spire added in 2007 that soars 40 meters into the sky. This striking feature, visible from across the city, symbolizes both faith and renewal. Inside, light streams through a kaleidoscope of stained glass, illuminating exquisite stonework and creating a setting that feels at once majestic and contemplative.

Visitors can explore remarkable artistic treasures, such as the elaborate mosaics designed by Sir Charles Nicholson and the stunning Chapel of the Holy Spirit, dedicated to those who lost their lives in the First World War. Another highlight is the “Spire of Hope” piercing through the cathedral roof, representing the city’s resilience and looking toward a brighter future. The cathedral also hosts concerts, exhibitions, and community events, extending its role beyond a sacred space to a vibrant gathering point for locals and visitors.

For travelers exploring Belfast, a stop at Saint Anne’s Cathedral provides not just a glimpse into the city’s religious heritage but also a chance to admire centuries of craftsmanship. Whether you’re drawn by its artistry, its peaceful atmosphere, or its role as a beacon of Belfast’s cultural life, the cathedral offers a moment of reflection and connection in the heart of Northern Ireland’s capital.

Belfast Exposed is a vibrant, independent photography centre located in the heart of Belfast’s lively Cathedral Quarter. Founded in 1983 by local photographers keen to challenge mainstream portrayals of the city during the Troubles, it holds the distinction of being Northern Ireland’s first dedicated photographic gallery. Settled into an airy, open-plan gallery spanning 20 × 7 meters, it houses four public exhibition spaces alongside a black-and-white darkroom and digital editing suite-making it both a community hub and cultural showcase.

For tourists, a visit to Belfast Exposed is a journey through both history and artistry. Its permanent archive-comprising some 500,000 images-documents the city’s shifting social, political, and cultural landscape. Regular curated exhibitions alternate between internationally-renowned artists and emerging local talent. Highlighted shows have included world-renowned photographer Martin Parr and socially engaged projects like Anthony Luvera’s “She/Her/Hers,” which gave voice to transgender experiences in Northern Ireland. Free to enter, many of its exhibitions offer insight into community narratives and Belfast’s ongoing transformation.

Belfast Exposed wears many hats. Beyond exhibitions, it offers educational programmes, portfolio reviews, workshops, and outreach initiatives designed to empower individuals to use photography as a storytelling tool. These activities often reach into schools and community groups, reinforcing the gallery’s mission: to enrich lives by expanding how people see their world through images. Tourists can drop in for an informal browse or book into portfolio feedback sessions for deeper engagement.

Whether you're a photography enthusiast, history buff, or simply curious, a stop here offers a compelling visual counterpoint to attractions like Titanic Belfast and Cave Hill hikes. It's a window into Belfast’s soul: candid, creative, and continuously evolving.