Cultural Walking Tour in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter

Duration: 2 Hours

Belfast’s historic Cathedral Quarter, is the birthplace and historic heart of the city. The area is steeped in history but with a modern vibrant cultural scene, mixed with trendy warehouse restaurants and lively beer gardens, where the past meets the present. Nonetheless Cathedral Quarter has retained its uniqueness, character and charm. The footprint of these little streets and passageways has changed little over the past 250 years and there are still many remnants of the old town, with echoes of the past reflected in the buildings and its cobblestoned streetscapes. In the 1790s these streets were the epicenter of radical politics in Ireland, the most pivotal decade in the history of Ireland

Cathedral Quarter is full of fascinating architecture such as St Anne’s Cathedral (which took 80 years and 10 architects to complete the original designs), prestigious former bank buildings such as the 5 star Merchant Hotel, the Assembly and Exchange building (1769), one of the most historically significant buildings in Ireland. Former whiskey warehouses have been transformed into bars and restaurants and new outstanding architecture such the MAC Theatre have emerged beside our centuries old pubs, quirky museums reflecting our musical heritage, whiskey heritage and the history of migration and links from this area to America. These buildings are not just bricks and mortar they connect the visitor to some of the fascinating citizens and events from the past and the entrepreneurs who are developing the Belfast of the future.

EXPERIENCE THE BEATING HEART OF BELFAST

The Cathedral Quarter is the beating heart of this vibrant city. Take a stroll along the quaint cobbled streets and soak up the Historic buildings and Architecture and a Vibrant Arts and Culture scene.

Locals and tourists alike flock to Cathedral Quarter’s cobbled streets to enjoy the diverse mix of history, music, food & drink and entertainment.

ART AND CULTURE

Everywhere you look world-class street art adorns the walls conveying subtle messages and public art which connects people to place and our past and present to the future. Irish poets and literary giants are remembered in gates, railings, gardens and squares. Local and international artists alike have made the area an ever-changing canvas of captivating colour.  Many of these artists have described Belfast as the street art capital of Europe and their work is a wonderful counter narrative to the paramilitary style murals of the past and illustrates Belfast’s transformation from a troubled place to a thriving and inclusive cultural capital.

Important to Know

If you're booking for a group of over 18 people, please contact us to arrange your tour.

Meeting Point

This tour starts at Cotton Court in the heart of the historic Cathedral Quarter (opposite the Merchant Hotel). End Location: St Anne's Cathedral, Donegall Street.

This tour is exclusive to your group. As a private tour you can choose a time to suit you (subject to guide availability). We can also design a bespoke tour tailored to your group’s interests with flexibility over where the tour starts and finishes.