The Bobby Sands Mural – Falls Road
Where is it?
On the gable wall of Sinn Féin’s offices on the Falls Road, at the corner of Sevastopol Street in West Belfast.
What does it show?
A large smiling portrait of Bobby Sands, with a quote:
“Everyone, Republican or otherwise, has their own particular role to play.”
The mural also includes Celtic knotwork, doves and a black phoenix at the top – a symbol of rebirth adopted by the republican movement after the late-1960s violence in the area.
What story does it tell?
Bobby Sands was a Provisional IRA member and prisoner who died on hunger strike in 1981, after being elected as an MP while in jail. His death, and the wider hunger strikes, became a turning point in the conflict, pushing republicanism further towards electoral politics.
The mural is probably the single most recognisable mural in Northern Ireland, appearing in guidebooks, documentaries and on almost every Black Taxi tour.
Why visit?
Standing in front of it, you’re right in the heart of nationalist West Belfast. You can feel how art, memory and politics are still tightly woven together here.
The International Wall – Divis Street / Falls Road
Where is it?
Along Divis Street, just before it becomes the Falls Road, at the edge of West Belfast near Divis Tower and the Peace Wall.
What does it show?
Not one mural but a long stretch of constantly changing pieces – portraits, scenes and slogans about:
- Irish history and the 1916 Easter Rising
- Global struggles and human-rights campaigns (Palestine, anti-racism, anti-apartheid, political prisoners, etc.)
- More recently, a strong focus on solidarity with Gaza and Palestinian artists, which led some to dub it the “Palestinian Wall”.
What story does it tell?
The International Wall takes the local experience of conflict and connects it to struggles elsewhere. Instead of a single narrative, you get a rolling exhibition of political street art – about oppression, resistance, and demands for justice around the world.
Why visit?
If you only have time for one spot, make it here. You can walk the length of the wall, read the captions, and see how new layers of history get painted literally over old ones.
King Billy Mural – Sandy Row
Where is it?
On Sandy Row in South Belfast, a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, on the gable wall at the heart of this traditionally loyalist community.
What does it show?
A huge portrait of King William III (William of Orange) with the text:
- “Prince of Orange”
- The date 12th July 1690
- “King William III – King Billy’s on the Wall”
- References to the Williamite forces and a welcoming text to Sandy Row on the side wall
You’ll also spot crowns, heraldic symbols and sometimes banners overhead declaring the area “British and Proud.”
What story does it tell?
The mural celebrates King William’s victory over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne (1690), a foundational story for many unionists and loyalists:
- Defence of Protestant civil and religious liberties
- Loyalty to the British Crown
- A long, proud local history in Sandy Row
The mural has been redesigned over the years to look more polished and less militaristic, reflecting a wider move in some loyalist areas towards heritage and tourism rather than overt paramilitary imagery.
Why visit?
Because it’s one of the clearest visual statements of loyalist identity in Belfast – and it’s very central. If your blog is aimed at visitors, this is an easy stop to combine with city-centre sightseeing, giving a flavour of the Orange tradition without going deep into West Belfast.
“Welcome to the Shankill Road” – Gardiner Street
Where is it?
On Gardiner Street, just off the Shankill Road. It’s the newer “Welcome to the Shankill” mural that replaced an older version around 2019.
What does it show?
- A bright blue background with three red hands spelling “WELCOME” in sign language
- Panels showing parts of local life: parades, bonfires, sports, wartime history and other murals
- A line along the bottom: “We are PROUD • RESILIENT • WELCOMING”
It also lists “welcome” in many languages – Polish, for example, appears – though notably Irish isn’t included, something that sparked local debate.
What story does it tell?
This mural is less about the Troubles and more about modern community identity:
- Pride in the area’s long history
- An attempt to present the Shankill as open and friendly
- A hint of ongoing tension in what isn’t shown (like the absence of Irish)
It’s a reminder that murals here don’t just look backwards – they also argue about what the present and future of the neighbourhood should look like.
Why visit?
It’s one of the best spots to photograph a more upbeat side of Shankill Road and to see how imagery, language and inclusion/exclusion are still negotiated on the wall.
CS Lewis “Narnia” Mural – East Belfast
Where is it?
On a gable wall in Convention Court, just off the Newtownards Road in East Belfast, close to the Holywood Arches area.
What does it show?
- A big blue wall with “C.S. LEWIS 1898–1963” at the top
- A painted book spine of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- A portrait of CS Lewis himself
- Narnia imagery: Aslan, the White Witch’s snowy landscape, and the wardrobe doorway
What story does it tell?
This one steps away from the Troubles and celebrates Belfast’s cultural heritage:
- CS Lewis was born in Belfast (in nearby Dundela Avenue), and East Belfast likes to claim him as one of its own.
- The mural ties into a wider “Narnia trail” in the area (including CS Lewis Square and other pieces of street art), showing how the city is now branding itself through literature, fantasy and creativity instead of conflict.
Why Visit?
For visitors, this mural is a perfect stop if you want something a bit gentler than the political walls of West Belfast. It’s bright, imaginative and great for photos, and it links directly to CS Lewis Square and the wider Narnia trail nearby – so you can turn it into a mini literary walk in East Belfast, with cafés and local shops close at hand.
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