Belfast: a walk through the women who shaped the Falls

This self-guided audio walking tour explores the lives of remarkable women linked to Belfast’s Falls area. It will interest travelers curious about social history, women’s rights, education, medicine, community activism, and the hidden stories behind ordinary streets. The route begins near the story of Dr. Elizabeth Gould Bell and leads through a compact section of west Belfast, linking plaques, former institutions, local businesses, and Belfast City Cemetery. Along the way, you will meet figures such as Caroline Boas, Rose Dilworth, Matilda Gould, Margaret Byers, and other women whose work touched healthcare, reform, art, and public life. The walk also pauses at places like the Ulster Female Penitentiary and Maureen’s Florist, showing how memory survives in both historic and everyday settings. The tour finishes at Clara Copley, close to where several final stops gather near the lower Falls. By the end, travelers will have traced a powerful route from reformers and doctors to teachers and community voices, with memorable moments including the atmosphere of Belfast City Cemetery, the discovery of overlooked pioneers, and the feeling of seeing a familiar cityscape transformed by women’s stories.