Belfast Wall Murals

The West Belfast areas of Protestant Shankhill Road and Catholic Falls Road contain many murals that express the loyalties of the people who live in the surrounding working class neighborhoods. Painted on homes and other buildings, they represent an interesting art form as worthy of a guided tour as any museum in the country.

The colorful murals depict a variety of themes ranging from King William’s victory in the Battle of the Boyne to images taken from the Book of Kells. Some are ornate works of art, embellished and professional, while others impress viewers with minimal artistry and stark emotion.

Historically, the Protestant murals were created by skilled workmen to commemorate the victory of King William. In recent years, however, they have become less ornamental and celebratory and have moved more into the realm of social commentary. They are more functional, expressing the Protestant stance against nationalism and liberalism.

Catholic, nationalistic murals in areas such as Falls Road, mostly surfaced as a response to the hunger strike of IRA inmates around 1980. One famous mural depicts an image of Bobby Sands, along with the following words “ Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”.

Other themes include symbols of rebirth such as phoenixes, heroes and revolutionaries from all around the world, and slogans that proclaim persistence in the pursuit of freedom.