The 'peace walls' were originally intended to be temporary structures lasting only a few months.
There are over 100 separate interface barriers across Belfast, though the Cupar Way wall is the most visited.
The Northern Ireland Executive has established a long-term goal to remove all peace walls by 2023, though this target has been repeatedly delayed.
In 2013, the Belfast Agreement's peace building strategy officially designated these sites as 'interfaces' rather than walls.
The wall is constructed primarily of steel, concrete, and wire mesh, reaching heights of up to 8 meters in certain sections.
Visitors are permitted to write on the wall's designated 'writing panels' using permanent markers.
High-security gates are still located at intervals along the wall to control traffic and pedestrian movement during periods of unrest.
The murals on the surrounding streets often depict historical figures and events from both republican and loyalist perspectives.
Despite the political context, the wall has become a major destination for 'conflict tourism' in Northern Ireland.
The Peace Wall on Cupar Way is the most prominent of Belfast's 'peace lines,' a series of physical barriers designed to separate nationalist and unionist communities. Stretching approximately 800 meters, this corrugated iron and wire fence serves as a tangible record of The Troubles. The walls are covered in thousands of written messages, signatures, and political murals left by visitors and locals from across the globe. Although erected as a temporary measure in 1969, the structure remains a primary boundary in West Belfast today. The physical divide separates the Catholic Falls Road area from the Protestant Shankill Road area. Visitors can walk alongside the barrier and use provided markers to add their own messages to the panels. It functions as a living archive of reconciliation and ongoing social tension. The structure is managed in coordination with local neighborhood initiatives.
The central section of the wall along Cupar Way, where the density of signatures and mural art is highest.
Bring your own permanent marker to add your message to the wall.
Combine your visit with a walking tour led by local community guides for historical context.
Respect the privacy of the residential properties located immediately behind the wall.
Do not treat the wall as a mere art installation; recognize it is an active barrier separating living communities.
Maintain a respectful tone; avoid loud political discussions or disruptive behavior in the surrounding residential streets.
