Clonard ward lies in west Belfast, primarily a residential area of dense terraced housing. The area is historically significant, containing the Clonard Monastery, a key site during the Northern Ireland peace process. Its streets form a tight-knit urban grid close to the main thoroughfare of the Falls Road.
The local economy centres on small shops and services along the Springfield Road and Falls Road. The district is also home to St. Paul's Church, with its distinctive twin spires forming a notable local landmark. The area is directly adjacent to the Peace Line, the series of separation barriers between communities.
