You’re standing at the foot of an eight-meter-high slab of concrete and corrugated iron. It’s taller than the Berlin Wall ever was. If you look closely, the surface is a chaotic collage of spray-painted hope, political anger, and thousands of signatures from people who live thousands of miles away. This is Cupar Way. It’s the "big one." But if you think this is the only line dividing the city, your Belfast peace wall map is missing about 90% of the story.
Honestly, the term "peace wall" is a bit of a marketing spin. Locals often just call them the "peacelines" or, more bluntly, "the walls." They weren't built as monuments. They were built in 1969 as "temporary" 30-day measures to stop people from burning each other's houses down.
It’s 2026. The 30 days turned into five decades.
The Geography of a Divided City
Most tourists get dropped off by a black cab, sign their name next to a quote from the Dalai Lama, and leave. They think the wall is just one long line. It’s not. It’s a fragmented, jagged network of over 60 structures in Belfast alone (and about 100 across Northern Ireland). If you actually look at a Belfast peace wall map, you’ll see they aren't in the city center. You won't find them near the posh hotels or the Titanic Quarter.
They exist in the "interfaces"—the places where working-class neighborhoods rub shoulders.
West Belfast: The Heavy Hitters
This is where the "conflict tourism" industry lives. You’ve got the Falls Road (predominantly Catholic/Nationalist) and the Shankill Road (predominantly Protestant/Unionist).
- Cupar Way: This is the most famous stretch. It separates the Shankill from the Falls. It’s roughly 800 meters of concrete and steel.
- The International Wall: Located on Divis Street, this isn't a peace wall in the "barrier" sense, but a massive stretch of murals. It’s a living map of global struggle, featuring everything from Palestinian solidarity to climate change.
- Bombay Street: On the Falls side, this street literally backs onto the wall. In 1969, many houses here were burned out. Today, there’s a memorial garden right against the concrete.
North Belfast: The Patchwork
If West Belfast is a clean line, North Belfast is a mess. It’s a jigsaw of small enclaves.
- Duncairn Gardens: This is a long road where one side is Republican and the other is Loyalist. The "wall" here is often just reinforced fences and gates.
- Alexandra Park: This is one of the weirdest spots on the map. It’s a public park with a fence running right through the middle of it. They only opened a gate in the fence in 2011 to allow people to walk through during the day.
East Belfast: The Outlier
Most people think the East is entirely Unionist. It’s not. The Short Strand is a small Catholic enclave surrounded by the Loyalist Inner East. The walls here, particularly around Cluan Place, are incredibly high because the houses are so close together.
The Gates: A Clock You Don't Want to Race
Here’s something the glossy brochures don’t always emphasize: the walls still work.
The gates at Lanark Way and Northumberland Street are heavy steel structures that look like something out of a medieval fortress. And they still close. Most of them shut around 6:30 PM or 8:00 PM and don't open until the morning.
If you’re doing a self-guided walk using a Belfast peace wall map, you need to watch the time. If you’re on the "wrong" side when the locks turn, you’re looking at a two-mile detour around the long way. It’s a surreal experience to see a modern city road just... stop... because it’s 7:00 PM.
Why Are They Still There?
The Northern Ireland Executive famously pledged to have all the walls down by 2023. We’re well past that deadline now.
Why? Because for the people living in the shadow of the concrete, the walls represent safety. A study by the Belfast Interface Project found that while everyone hates the idea of the walls, a huge percentage of residents are terrified of what happens if they come down. It’s easy to call for "unity" when you live in a leafy suburb. It’s harder when your back garden is the front line.
There have been successes, though. In 2024 and 2025, sections near Ballygomartin Road were removed to make way for shared community hubs. The strategy now isn't just "tear it down," but "build something better in its place."
Navigating the Map: Pro Tips for 2026
If you're planning to explore, don't just wander aimlessly.
- Start at the International Wall. It’s a 15-minute walk from the city center. Start at the bottom of Divis Street and walk up towards the Falls Road.
- Cross through the gates. Walk up Northumberland Street from the Falls to the Shankill. You’ll feel the atmosphere shift. The flags change. The murals change. Even the curb paintings change from Green/White/Orange to Red/White/Blue.
- Use the Translink Metro. If you don't want to pay for a Black Cab tour, take the 10 or 11 bus from Chichester Street. Ask for the Cupar Way stop.
- Respect the "Quiet." These aren't just photo ops; they are people's front doors. Don't go peering into windows or blocking driveways.
What the Map Doesn't Show
A Belfast peace wall map gives you coordinates, but it doesn't give you the "vibe." There’s a specific kind of silence near the walls. It’s not peaceful; it’s just... still.
You’ll see "peace" murals on one side and "paramilitary" murals 50 yards away. You’ll see kids playing football against 20-foot steel fences. It’s a city of contradictions.
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One of the best things you can do is actually talk to a local. Whether it's a cabbie or someone in a shop on the Shankill, their map of the city is mental, not digital. They know which streets are "safe" and which gates stay open late.
Moving Forward
To see the walls properly, you need to look past the graffiti. Look at the height. Look at the reinforced glass on the windows of nearby houses.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Download the Belfast Interface Project map as a PDF before you go; cell reception can be spotty near the larger structures.
- Check the gate closure times on the Department of Justice (NI) website or ask your hotel concierge, as they can change based on local events.
- Bring a permanent marker. It sounds cliché, but adding your name to the "Hope" section of the Cupar Way wall is a ritual that supports the local "conflict tourism" economy which, weirdly enough, helps keep the peace by bringing investment into these neighborhoods.
- Plan for at least three hours. If you're walking from the International Wall, through the Shankill, and over to North Belfast, you'll need the time to actually process what you're seeing.
The walls will come down eventually. But for now, they remain the most honest map of Belfast's history.