Hunting for Belfast’s legendary street art is a bit like embarking on an urban safari – you’ll never know what you’ll find and where you’ll spot them! You might even catch an artist “in the wild” working on a new masterpiece!
The streets of this city have truly become an open-air gallery, thanks to initiatives like the annual Hit the North festival that invite acclaimed artists to leave their mark.
So keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready – you never know when you might spot the next masterpiece peeking out from an alleyway or side street!
1. Queen Street – “When You Weren’t Looking” by Kitsune Jolene
Media Credit: @kitsunejolene
Address: Queen Street (Beside Onassis)
This stunning masterpiece called “When You Weren’t Looking” along Queen Street is created by Belgian artist, Kitsune Jolene. It was brought to life through the idea that “magic always comes your way when you’re not looking for it.”
The artwork was part of Hit the North 2022 and was even nominated as one of the best street artworks in the world that same year.
Pro tip:
From Queen Street, walk north towards Castle Street then make a left. Right by Marquis Street, you’ll find another street art gem, Annatomix’s “Golden Hares of Rathlin Island.”
2. North Street – “Mikey, the Man with the Atom Tattoo” by Voyder
Media Credit: @voyder
Address: North Street, Gay Quarter
“Mikey, The Man with the Atom Tattoo,” painted by British street artist Voyder in 2023, adorns North Street with a deeply personal narrative.
The photorealistic mural captures a pivotal figure in Voyder’s artistic journey – his friend Mikey, who’s now a successful tattoo artist.
When you look closely, the painting is set against the backdrop of a freight yard. This pays homage to the friends’ shared history of painting train carriages which was a formative chapter in both of their artistic journeys.
Pro tip:
If you wish to stop by at a pub for a drink, you can head to the iconic Sunflower Public House on Kent Street, which is just a 2-minute walk from the mural.
3. North Street – “Let Me Unsee” by Asbestos
Media Credit: @artofasbestos
Address: 115 North Street
“Let Me Unsee” is another street art gem on North Street created by artist, Asbestos. This eye-opening masterpiece was part of the 2022 Hit the North Festival.
The mural represents how we, especially in this technological age, experience overstimulation from endless media consumption.
The artist acknowledges that while it’s a good thing to be exposed to so much information, it can be exhausting as well. Thus, the artist created “Let Me Unsee.”
On an Instagram post, Asbestos shared, “It’s impossible to not be enraptured by it all, but it’s bloody exhausting. I feel I need to unsee, to switch off a few of my eyes, and to try to process fewer things.”
Irish artist Asbestos has been making street art since 2003. If you’re interested to see more of his work visit his website or Instagram page.
Pro tip:
North Street is filled with street and graffiti art so it’s a great area to explore. Another notable piece just a short walk away is “Forzan” on Gresham Street by Colombian artist Sancho, which was part of Hit the North 2018.
From here, our next street art feature at Pottinger’s Entry is just around 600 meters away.
4. Pottinger’s Entry – “Spirit of Commerce” by Irony
Media Credit: @whoamirony
Address: Pottinger’s Entry
London-based artist, Irony, who’s known for industrial-scale paintings, created this masterpiece as part of the Belfast Entries project in 2020. The project’s aim was to bring the city’s entries back to life with awe-inspiring street art .
Hidden away in Pottinger’s Entry, the “Spirit of Commerce” captures a bit of Belfast history. The female figure in the painting was inspired by the figureheads found on the prow of ships during the 19th to 20th centuries.
“Spirit of Commerce” looks back at Belfast’s shipping history, when boats would dock along “the entries” beside the Farset River where High Street stands today.
Pro tip:
If you’re interested to learn more about the history of Belfast through its street art, consider joining a walking tour here.
Feeling peckish or looking for a caffeine fix in the area? Head to Potingers Cafe right along Pottinger’s Entry!
5. Shaftesbury Square, by Veks van Hillik
Media Credit: @seedheadarts
Address: Shaftesbury Square, Linen Quarter (former Ulster Bank Building)
Veks van Hillik, a renowned French street artist, created a massive mural spanning about 80 square meters during the Hit the North 2024 festival.
A truly stunning addition to Belfast’s urban landscape, this piece stands out as one of the largest Belfast street art installations to date.
Van Hillik’s work draws inspiration from both contemporary influences and the technical mastery of Flemish painters, creating a bridge between classical and modern artistry.
Pro tip:
Shaftesbury Square is located within the historic Linen Quarter where many events and festivals are held. While you’re there, you can also explore numerous bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Our next street art feature is Belfast Punk Gallery along Great Victoria Street which is just a few steps away from Shaftesbury Square.
6. Great Victoria Street – “Belfast Punk Gallery” by Various Artists
Media Credit: @alanamcdowell
Address: Great Victoria Street and Stroud Street, Linen Quarter
Punk is definitely not dead in Linen Quarter with a whole row of buildings painted with images reminiscent of the electric Belfast punk scene.
Five artists collaborated in the making of the “Belfast Punk Gallery” at the site where the legendary Good Vibrations record store once stood. The street artists include Rob Hilken, Not Pop, Alana McDowell, Peaball, and Zippy.
On the building’s Stroud Street side is a mural dedicated to punk icon Teri Hooley, founder of Good Vibrations and member of Derry-born rock band, The Undertones.
Hooley was an instrumental figure in the boom of the city’s distinct punk scene during the 80s to the 90s. He paved the way for countless punk bands during The Troubles, earning himself the nickname “Godfather of Belfast Punk.”
During The Troubles, when Belfast was deeply divided along sectarian lines, Hooley’s Good Vibrations became a safe space for the community to share their love for music.
Pro tip:
If you’re interested to learn more about Belfast Punk history, there are walking tours available that start from the Belfast Punk Gallery mural. You can check out tour details and schedules here.
After immersing yourself into Belfast’s punk past, just look at the next building to the right and you’ll find another street masterpiece (read our next feature!).
7. Great Victoria Street – “Flying High” by Annatomix
Media Credit: @annatomix
Address: Great Victoria Street (on the side of Hope International Christian Fellowship)
“Flying High,” created by renowned street artist Annatomix in 2023, is another masterpiece on Great Victoria Street with a striking portrayal of endangered seabirds.
The artist is known for her distinctive geometric style and features four species of birds in this expansive 295-square meter opus. The species include the Dunlin, Godwit, Arctic Tern, and Ireland’s unofficial national bird, the Lapwing.
These waders tell multiple stories and recall the area’s pre-development marshlands. Meanwhile, their migratory nature symbolizes the diversity of the local church congregation, where the city’s first synagogue was established.
Annatomix’s choice of depicting threatened species for this piece serves to promote greater awareness of the vulnerability of wildlife in Northern Ireland.
Pro tip:
There’s a bus stop right by the building so it would be easy to get around if your next destination would be beyond a comfortable walking distance.
8. Talbot Street – “Blurry Eyed” by Dan Kitchener
Media Credit: @dankitchener
Address: Talbot Street, Cathedral Quarter
British artist Dan Kitchener or Dank had brought life to several walls in Belfast over the last few years, but his very first was the iconic “Blurry Eyed” on Talbot Street.
The mural captures a rainy night scene in mesmerizing detail, featuring his signature style of neon reflections and atmospheric urban landscapes. Created in 2016, the piece had transformed an ordinary corner in Cathedral Quarter into a slice of neo-noir cinema.
You can find Kitchener’s other Belfast street artworks at Ormeau Road corner University Street, Enfield Street, and Shankill Road, among others.
Pro tip:
If you walk towards Dunbar Street, you’ll find another street artwork titled “Deep Love” by ADW.
Just a block from “Blurry Eyed” along Talbot Road, you’ll find our next street art feature!
9. Talbot Street – “The Son of Protagoras” by MTO
Media Credit: @seedheadarts
Address: Talbot Street, Cathedral Quarter
Also located along Talbot Street, “The Son of Protagoras,” painted by French street artist MTO in 2014, serves as a powerful commentary on sectarian division.
The photorealistic black-and-white mural depicts a young boy holding a dead dove, pierced by two arrows that symbolize Protestant and Catholic conflict.
MTO, known for his monochromatic style and politically charged works, named the piece after the ancient Greek philosopher Protagoras. In “Concerning the Gods,” the philosopher embraced uncertainty about divine matters.
Protagoras’ famous statement questioned the possibility of proving or disproving the existence of gods. He suggested that both the complexity of the topic and humans’ limited lifespan make absolute religious knowledge impossible.
Pro tip:
Take note that you’ll have to enter the parking lot on Talbot Street to get a closer look at “The Son of Protagoras” mural.
Our next Belfast street art feature is just a few steps away from here on Hill Street!
10. Hill Street – “The Duel of Belfast, Dance by Candlelight” by Conor Harrington
Media Credit: @city.captures.ni
Address: Hill Street, Cathedral Quarter
“The Duel of Belfast, Dance by Candlelight,” created by Cork-born artist Conor Harrington in 2012, is one of Belfast’s most dramatic murals.
Located on Hill Street in the Cathedral Quarter, the piece depicts two dueling figures with distinctive forms that merge realistic baroque painting with abstract street art. The onlooker figure adds a layer of theatrical tension to the scene.
If you’re interested to see more of Conor Harrington’s art, discover his work here.
Pro tip:
Hill Street offers a charming stroll through cobblestoned paths of Cathedral Quarter. It’s an interesting area to explore as you’ll find historic landmarks, shops, restaurants, and bars lining the streets!
11. Kent Street, by Bust and Annatomix
Media Credit: @annatomix
Address: Kent Street
Kent Street is filled with vibrant street art in almost every corner. At its heart you’ll find the iconic Sunflower Public House, occupying a site that has served pints to locals since the late 1800s.
Right outside the pub, two massive murals would greet visitors, created by neo-pop artist Bust, and Annatomix who’s known for her distinct geometric-style art.
Both pieces emerged from the Hit the North Festival, with Bust’s work appearing in 2022. The following year, Annatomix paid homage to her fellow artist by incorporating the vibrant color palette into her signature geometric fox design.
Pro tip:
The Sunflower Public House is a great place to stop by for a drink and some bites. Their wood-fired pizza is a must-try!
12. Kent Street – “Disruption” by Aches
Media Credit: @achesdub
Address: Kent Street, Gay Quarter
One of the standout pieces along Kent Street is “Disruption” by Irish artist, Aches. This piece, made in 2020, would immediately catch your attention with the pop of color and its innovative 3D visual treatment, which is the artist’s signature art style.
The mural portrays Stephen Considine, founder of BipolarBear Wear, an organization dedicated to supporting mental health initiatives through fashion.
You can support them by purchasing their clothing, sharing design ideas, contributing to their blog, or by simply spreading the word.
Pro tip:
Kent Street is filled with many other street art pieces, so make sure to take your time and explore the area.