Crumlin Road Gaol Culture & history

Explore Belfast on an open-top bus tour. Hop on and off at your leisure with a 48-hour ticket and discover the highlights of the city including the Titanic Quarter, Queen's Univeristy, and the City Hall. Board the bus beside the city hall and discover the highlights of Belfast. Hop on and off at the sights of interest to you. Explore the Titanic Quarter and learn about the history of the White Star Line and the Harland and Wolff shipbuilding company. Visit the covered St. George's Market and the Victorian Botanical Gardens. Hop off at Queens University and visit the Ulster Museum. Travel through the heart of the Nationalist and Loyalist communities, seeing the colorful murals that showcase the turbulent history of the city. Travel along the 40ft high peace wall which was constructed to separate the communities. Pay a visit to Crumlin Road Gaol and learn about some of its infamous inmates.

City Sightseeing Belfast - The open-top bus tour gives you the chance to ride around the city, whilst hopping on and off at many different bus stops around Belfast at your own leisure. The tour takes in the ever-changing Titanic Quarter, birth place of the RMS Titanic, and now an exciting new development for the city. The tour then continues onward to visit the impressive Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Then you'll make your way back into the city center to visit the political areas of the Shankhill Road as well as the political Wall Murals and peace lines at Falls Road. The tour then makes its way through the Queens University area back to the city center. Tour Stops: 1. Belfast City Hall 2. SSE Arena 3. Titanic Quarter 4. HMS Caroline 5. Titanic Belfast 6. Waterfront / Laganside / St. George's Market 7. Great Victoria Street 8. Dublin Road 9. Shaftsbury Square 10. Queen's University 11. Eglantine Avenue 12. Cultúrlan McAdam Ó Fiaich 13. Falls Road 14. International Wall Murals 15. Belfast Peace Wall 16. Spectrum Tourist Information Centre 17. Shankill Memorial Garden 18. Crumlin Road Gaol 19. Donegall Street

Immerse yourself in the history of the Troubles in Belfast on this taxi tour and see some of the city's most iconic murals. The murals depict the most important events and figures in Belfast's political history.  Get picked up from your hotel and head to your first stop, Divis Tower. Learn about its importance during the Troubles and take some photos. Continue to the International Wall and learn about the wall's current murals.  At your next stop, the Peace Wall, hear its history and write a message on the wall. Continue to West Belfast to see several political murals and hear their stories. Stop at Bombay Street to see where the Troubles started and visit the memorial garden. Learn about political segregation at Crumlin Road Gaol before continuing to Lower Shankill, Belfast's main Protestant area. Here, see the Shankill's most important murals and learn about their history before getting dropped off back at your hotel.

Experience Belfast on an open-top bus tour and soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere at your own pace over 1 or 2 days. With 19 stops, you can fully explore each location and take in all the sights. The tour takes you through the iconic Titanic Quarter, the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, and travels through the famous peace lines and walls, where you can view the powerful political murals. Enjoy stunning panoramic views from the top deck as you make your way to each stop. Hop off at any stop, explore as long as you wish, and catch the next bus every 20 to 30 minutes. Your ticket also includes discounts for entry to some of Belfast’s top attractions STOP 1 - Donegall Square West STOP 2 - SSE Arena - Odyssey, W5 Discovery, Cinema, Bowling STOP 3 - Titanic Quarter - Premier Inn STOP 4 - HMS Caroline - Titanic Dock, Green Light - Maritime Mile STOP 5 - Titanic Belfast - Titanic Visitor Experience, SS Nomadic STOP 6 - St. George’s Market - Market Days - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday STOP 7 - Great Victoria Street - Crown Bar, Europa Hotel, Grand Opera House STOP 8 - Dublin Road - Golden Mile, Etap Hotel STOP 9 - Shaftsbury Square, Lavery's Bar, Crescent Arts Centre STOP 10 - Queens University - Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Tropical Hot House STOP 11 - Eglantine Avenue - International Football Stadium, Lisburn Road Shopping STOP 12 - Culturlann McAdam O'Fiaich - Art Gallery, Bookshop and Gifts STOP 13 - Falls Road - Falls Memorial Garden, Bobby Sands Mural STOP 14 - International Peace Wall - Peace wall, St Peter's Cathedral STOP 15 - Peace Wall - Sign The Famous Wall STOP 16 - Spectrum Centre - Shankill Road - Murals History STOP 17 - Remembrance Garden - Shankill Road STOP 18 - Crumlin Road Jail House STOP 19 - Donegall Street - Cathedral Quarter St Patricks, St Anne's Cathedral

Experience Belfast’s top attractions with a hop-on hop-off open-top bus tour, including flexible entry on arrival to Titanic Belfast at Stop 5. Your ticket includes a 1-day hop-on hop-off pass with 19 stops, covering the Titanic Quarter, peace lines, and murals. Enjoy panoramic city views from the top deck and hop off to explore attractions, with buses arriving every 20–30 minutes. At Stop 5, enjoy flexible entry on arrival to Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, located where the ship was designed and built. Explore interactive galleries, the Shipyard Ride, and iconic artefacts like Wallace Hartley’s violin. Afterward, visit the nearby SS Nomadic, Titanic’s “little sister,” also included with your ticket. Once you’ve explored Titanic Belfast, hop back on the bus to continue discovering more of Belfast, from Queen’s University to Crumlin Road Gaol and the Botanic Gardens. This combo ticket offers a flexible and immersive way to soak up the city and Titanic story in one unforgettable day! Other tour stops STOP 1 - Donegall Square West STOP 2 - SSE Arena - Odyssey, W5 Discovery, Cinema, Bowling STOP 3 - Titanic Quarter - Premier Inn STOP 4 - HMS Caroline - Titanic Dock, Green Light - Maritime Mile STOP 5 - Titanic Belfast - Titanic Visitor Experience, SS Nomadic STOP 6 - St. George’s Market - Market Days - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday STOP 7 - Great Victoria Street - Crown Bar, Europa Hotel, Grand Opera House STOP 8 - Dublin Road - Golden Mile, Etap Hotel STOP 9 - Shaftsbury Square, Lavery's Bar, Crescent Arts Centre STOP 10 - Queens University - Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Tropical Hot House STOP 11 - Eglantine Avenue - International Football Stadium, Lisburn Road Shopping STOP 12 - Culturlann McAdam O'Fiaich - Art Gallery, Bookshop and Gifts STOP 13 - Falls Road - Falls Memorial Garden, Bobby Sands Mural STOP 14 - International Peace Wall - Peace wall, St Peter's Cathedral STOP 15 - Peace Wall - Sign The Famous Wall STOP 16 - Spectrum Centre - Shankill Road - Murals History STOP 17 - Remembrance Garden - Shankill Road STOP 18 - Crumlin Road Jail House STOP 19 - Donegall Street - Cathedral Quarter St Patricks, St Anne's Cathedral

Be guided through various key locations, each telling an essential part of the city's political history and its influence on Belfast’s future. This tour offers an engaging experience where you'll connect with the challenges faced by the local communities from across the political divide. First, your driver will pick you up in a comfortable taxi with Wi-Fi on board. Settle in before visiting this historic courthouse, known for its significant role in Northern Ireland's judicial history. Its architecture and the trials it has seen provide a glimpse into Belfast's complex legal past. Next, explore the Victorian-era prison at Crumlin Road Gaol, a key historical site from the outside where you can learn about its notorious history from its time as a working prison until 1996 and uncover the tales of those incarcerated. Then you’ll see Lower Shankill Road. Known for its role in the city's social and political narrative, particularly during times of conflict, the Lower Shankill Road offers profound insights into the complex tapestry that defines Belfast's past and present. Next, discover the Peace Wall, a symbol of hope where visitors worldwide have left messages of peace and solidarity. Contribute your message to the wall, and see the famous barriers that separate Belfast's religious and political communities. Then, take a 5-minute break and enjoy traditional Irish refreshments: a cuppa tea or coffee and a scone. This will give you a taste of local flavours and a moment to reflect on the tour's insights before continuing to Bombay Street. Here, you’ll visit this significant street known for its historical importance during the Conflict. This street symbolizes the enduring spirit and resilience of the local community, having witnessed and withstood some of the most challenging times in Belfast's history. Finally, view the mural dedicated to Bobby Sands, a key figure in Northern Ireland’s history. Sands' story is essential for understanding the region's political struggle. Make a quick stop at what is known locally as the International Peace Wall, where you will see a variety of Murals, some of which represent other conflicts around the world, some of which are seen as very similar to our past strife.

Sit back and relax in the comfort of a black taxi and learn about the history and contemporary character of the city of Belfast. Join an expert guide who will take you around West Belfast where you can learn the stories behind Belfast’s famous wall murals. Get the full picture of the tumultuous history of the city, and discover the story behind the famous Peace Wall which separates different communities and traditions. After the tour, you will be escorted to the Crumlin Road Prison. Discover the history of this famous jail on a self-guided tour.

Giant's Causeway Tour:  Your adventure begins at 9:00 AM from Belfast City Hall, Donegal Square West. Carrickfergus Castle Kick off the day with a visit to Carrickfergus Castle, a remarkably well-preserved Norman castle built in 1177. Explore its ancient walls, battlements, and learn about its history of enduring sieges. You can opt to explore inside (entry fee applies) or enjoy the charming surroundings and grab a coffee. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (Viewpoint Only) Stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge viewpoint, offering breathtaking coastal views of the 75-foot chasm below. While crossing the bridge isn’t included, the dramatic scenery is perfect for photos. The Dark Hedges (Lunch Stop) Visit the iconic Dark Hedges, a hauntingly beautiful tunnel of beech trees, known as the Kingsroad from Game of Thrones. Enjoy lunch at the nearby Hedges Hotel while soaking in the atmospheric scenery. Dunluce Castle Admire Dunluce Castle, a cliffside medieval ruin famed for its dramatic history and its appearance as the House of Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. Choose to explore inside (entry fee applies) or enjoy stunning views from the outside. Giant’s Causeway The highlight of the tour is the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at its 40,000 basalt columns formed 60 million years ago, or dive into the legend of Finn McCool, the mythical builder of the Causeway. Belfast City Tour 1 Day Pass: This Belfast hop on hop off bus tour provides you with a comprehensive look at this special city and allows you to explore every area with 19 stops around the city. The tour operates seven days per week and tickets are valid for 2 days. If you decide not to hop off on the route the tour will take approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.  Some of the attractions where there are stops include Titanic Belfast (Discounts available), Crumlin Road Jail, HMS Caroline, Queens University, Botanic Gardens and the political wall murals. 

Discover the turbulent political history of Belfast on a cab tour. Exploring the Shankill Road and the Falls Road to learn about the events of the conflict which became known as The Troubles. Stopping at various murals which give each community its own distinctive character. We start with pickup from your hotel/location within the city and meet your guide who will escort you on a journey through the two different communities within Belfast. Learn about the origins of The Troubles from your guide who has lived through the conflict, and gain firsthand insight into local history. First, travel up the Shankill Road, the heart of the unionist community in the city. See a variety of murals displaying tributes to the British monarchy and Union Jack flags. Continue onto the Falls Road, located only a short distance away, and see the Irish Republican murals and Irish tricolors that adorn the homes and businesses. Hear about the key events of The Troubles, the effect it had on the citizens who lived within Belfast and beyond, and how communities are dealing with its consequences today. Pass by Crumlin Road Gaol, which housed prisoners who were members of paramilitary organizations that characterized the conflict. Arrive at the so-called "Peace Wall" that was built between 1969 and 1971, and continues to separate both communities today. Finally, with a comprehensive insight into the conflict, be dropped back at your hotel to enjoy the rest of your stay in the city.

Catch the cross border Enterprise train from Dublin to Belfast for a full-day sightseeing tour of the Northern Ireland capital, and get a ticket to the shipyards of the Titanic Quarter and hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Departing from Dublin’s Connolly Station on the 06:50 Enterprise Express, travel in comfort across the border. Snacks are available to purchase on board. Cross into Northern Ireland at Milepost 59 for an arrival at Belfast Central, and then transfer by local train to Belfast Great Victoria Street Station in the heart of the city. Here, you will join the hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour, taking a loop around the city, including the Titanic Quarter, where you will have complimentary admission to the Titanic Visitors Centre. Explore the birthplace of the Titanic ocean liner, and see the new state-of-the-art building constructed on the 100th anniversary of the ship’s fatal voyage. An optional visit to the newly refurbished Crumlin Road Gaol gets you access to the eerie cells and gallows of the historic jail. Built in 1845, Crumlin Road Gaol closed its doors in 1996 and has now reopened as an immersive visitor attraction Drive the famous Falls and Shankill Roads to see the political murals of The Troubles. Then, enjoy some free time to shop in Belfast City Centre. Return trains to Dublin depart at 16:00, 18:00, or 20:00 depending on your preference.