The Siege Was Over But The War Was Still To Be Won

03217 2015-12-11 Shutting+

The third of three new panels celebrating the Apprentice Boys contains a long description of the Shutting Of The Gates in December 1688 and the Siege Of Derry, which was ended with the breaking of the boom of the river Foyle in July 1689.

The other two panels were featured in For God, Ulster & Scotland | The Brave 13. A wide shot of all three is included below.

03218 2015-12-11 Of The Gates+

03220 2015-12-11 Apprentice Shutting w+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03217 X03218 X03220 woodvale rd walker mitcheburne mitchelburne williamite no surrender browning baker murray
on the death of charles II in 1685 james II succeeded to the british throne devout roman catholic promoted subjects positions of authority expense of protestant counterparts richard talbot earl of tyrconnell appointed lord deputy in 1687 carry out ireland lying dick replacing mainly civil and military establishment by 1688 the army consisted soldiers remained garrison controlled by mountjoy william stewart population some 2,000 people staunchly march to dublin earl of antrim redshanks 23rd november undefended sweeping the province comber letter massacre in 1641 waterside area ferried across to make arrangement near midday river foyle ferryquay gate closed and locked by a group of young apprentice boys henry campsie ammunition magazine in the tower house north-west corner siezed great siege committee citizens formed defence warned not to enter expelled surrounding countryside formed into six companies by david cairns set out for london obtain help beleaguered city londonderry despite excellent reputation two sons denied access negotiations took place sides decided 21st december lundy governor queen mary deliverance supplies james hamilton commission required to take an oath before receiving resistance and a refuge 7,000 jacobite soldier subdue ulster mid april french general rosen lifford clady fifteen miles upstream in disgrace advised to surrender loyalty doubted confined to his quarters for his own safety ignominiously fled reviled henry baker george walker appointed estimated that 30,000 people able bodied eight regiments assigned a different part strengthened to deny the enemy cover many trees and houses outside cleared cannons positioned internally facing the various gates burst through tower of st columbs cathedral highest point bombardment shipquay gate 24th april 1689 600 mortar bombs clashes maumont pennyburn mill skirmishes windmill hill recaptured inflicting heavy casualties flags preserved display cloth renewed surprise repulsed beseigers troops rounded up and herded retaliated by erecting a gallow threatening to hang wooden boom was built across english supply ships lough foyle culmore fortlough swilly inch island frigate dartmouth michael browning swallow musket ball phoenix apprentic boys john mitchelburne celebrated six clubs in 1859 john guy ferguson browning relief of derry thirteen touching of the gates effigy bishop’s street thanksgiving service wreath is laid at siege heroes mound vita veritas victoria life truth victory

Universal Soldier

02800 2015-08-23 BreakTheConnection+

A Coors Light “Closer to Cold” ad, with Jean-Claude Van Damme on a snowy mountain in jeans and loafers with his foot on a snowy tree-stump, is co-opted by the IRSP: “Ireland didn’t vote for Tory cuts — Break the connection with England!”

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X02800 northumberland st irish republican socialist party http://www.irsp.ie plough stars inla mountain

Rid Our Areas Of These Vermin

According to this Irish News article (see also Irish Republican News), the flyer above (this one is on the Crumlin Road in the centre of Ligoniel) is the work of a UDA faction that has intimidated people out of their homes in the Glenbryn area. (See also Irish Republican News.)

“North Belfast UDA: Anyone caught housebreaking or robbing business premises in this area will face severe consequences. No mercy will be shown or second chances given. We will show no leniency in carrying out the punishment your depraved actions deserve. We already have names and this will be acted upon. Our communities will not be left defenceless. This is not a warning this is a promise. Anyone with any information don’t be afraid to come forward. Help us rid our area’s of these vermin. Quis separabit.”

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The Brave 13

03219 2015-12-11 Apprentice Boys+

Here is the second of three panels from a new mural on the Shankill Road celebrating the ties between Belfast and the Stirling & District Campsie Club, a branch of one of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys Of Derry. It features the cannon “Roaring Meg” (“presented by the Fishmongers Company of London 1642″) which is used as the seal for the club, the club’s flag which includes a red hand of Ulster, the key to the gates, and the emblem and coat of arms of the Apprentice Boys.

For the first panel, see For God, Ulster & Scotland.

“Formed on the 2nd May 1987 we have been at the forefront of loyalist culture in our area since then and were the first club in Scotland to have a Battle of the Somme Commemoration Parade. Since our inauguration we have formed many friendships with our brethren and bands from the province many of which are still active today. For many years the club has participated with Belfast Campsie Club at the closing of the gates parade in December. We have through the years had great affinity with the many bands from Belfast some who are unfortunately no longer with us. The club would like to thank the people of Belfast for their support and friendship through the years and to the people of the Shankill for giving us the privilege of this murals.

No surrender.

The Campsie Club is the only Apprentice Boys Club to be named after one of the “Brave 13″. It is persumed presumed that Henry Campsie was the first man to shed blood in the Defence of Londonderry. Campsie was the inspiration behind the Shutting of the Gates and was severely wounded whilst leading his associates to secure the City Magazine and armoury. The emblem of the Roaring Meg was adopted as the Seal of the new club.”

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X03219 stirling castle 1688 1689 Henry Campsie, William Crookshanks, Robert Sherrard, Daniel Sherrard, Alexander Irwin, James Steward, Robert Morison, Alexander Cunningham, Samuel Hunt, James Spike, John Coningham, William Cairnes and Samuel Harvy 105 the number of days the city was under siege walker mitchelburne browning baker murray

House Pride

03021 2015-09-20 KVLR CNB15 d+

Not exhausted by last year’s monster piece (Home Taping Is Killing Music), here’s another tall, tall, CNB/HTN piece by KVLR (Kev Largey | Tw | Instragram) next to Psychonautes’s Jay Adams Soul Sailor, Hicks’s The Woods Are Lovely Dark And Deep, and Conor Harrington’s The Duel at the Black Box in Hill Street.

03020 2015-09-20 KVLR CNB15+

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X03021 X03020 culture night belfast hit the north spiderman fools spray paint can brick bottle ladder graffiti rors born fin maq

Another Sunrise, Another New Beginning

03188 2015-11-12 Fianna banner+

This is the middle wall on the site of the former Andersonstown RUC station, which has undergone three changes in recent months. The longstanding Fıanna sunburst (see X00350) was painted over with IRPWA stencils (Stop strip searches, End Internment, Justice For The Craigavon 2) which in turn were largely covered with writing by DAZE (see the image below). Most recently, a large Fıanna banner, shown above, has been placed over the wall.

03014 2015-09-17 JFTC2 Daze+

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X03188 X03014 Falls Rd Sınn Féın republican youth óıge phoblachtach ógra shınn féın  glaıne ınár gcroí neart ınár ngéaga beart de réır ar mbrıath purity in our hearts strength in our arms truth on our lips irish republican prisoners welfare association

For God, Ulster & Scotland

03216 2015-12-04 Protestant Boys Stirling+

This panel (one of three) of a new mural on the Shankill celebrates the Stirling Protestant Boys Flute Band and its association with the Shankill Road: “Stirling Protestant Boys Flute Band [Fb] were formed in February 2003 and to this day take part in parades across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. The band has a great connection with our friends from Belfast, especially those from the Greater Shankill area. In November 2012 Stirling Protestant Boys were presented with the battle honours of the Young Citizen Volunteers and the 36th (Ulster) Division. The band would like to thank the people of the Shankill Road for their continued support.”

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X03216 Sir David Stirling Memorial Vol. Brian Robinson Parade

Free As A Bird

03232 2015-12-26 Seasons Greetings Ardoyne+

The mural shows a line of fir trees rather than steel gates but the robins on the spiked rail above give away that we’re on the “peace” line separating loyalist west Belfast from nationalist north Belfast and that the road is still closed. “Seasons Greetings” Belfast-style.

UPDATE Jan 3rd: a similar trompe l’oeil piece by Breandán Clarke could be found at this location previously, showing cars parked on the street (via Old Belfast Photographs/Glenravel History).

“Like a bird on a wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.” – Leonard Cohen Bird On The Wire

03231 2015-12-26 Seasons Greetings Ardoyne d+

03230 2015-12-26 Seasons Greeting Ardoyne w+

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X03232 X03231 X03230 crumlin rd

Animals Will Only Come To You If You Feed Them

03044 2015-09-23 Malarky CNB15+

The piece above by Malarky (aka Malarko) for CNB15 in September was replaced in short order by the RAZER tag (and face), below.

The wide shot shows the other pieces in the North Street car park: Femme Fatale by Mels from HTN/CNB15 and Fight Or Flight by Friz and Danleo from CNB13.

Malarky also did the piece immediately below in the lower Kent St car-park.

x03051-2015-09-24-lilpedro-white-worm

03191 2015-11-19 Raser+

03190 2015-11-19 Raser Face+

03192 2015-11-19 North St w+

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X03044 X03051 X03191 X03190 X03192 north st culture night belfast douglas greed Beuys Don’t Cry

Brıogáıd Dhoıre

02834 2015-08-25 BriogaidDhoire+

The Provisional IRA emerged from a split in the IRA in the wake of sectarian unrest in 1969. The Derry battalion became the Derry Brigade (An Brıogáıd Dhoıre) in 1972 when the number of people wishing to become volunteers swelled in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday. It is estimated that 1,000 Derry Catholics (2% of the population) were imprisoned for IRA activities in the 70s and 80s. (WP) The image above shows a mural with Cú Chulaınn, an oak leaf with crossed rifles, and a lily. In the centre is a board commemorating volunteers from the 1st battalion — an identical board can be found on Westland Street; see Spirit Of Freedom – and below are a commemorative standing stone and dolmen a short distance away.

02827 2015-08-24 StandingStone+

02812 2015-08-24 Dolmen+

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X02834 X02827 X02812 lecky rd irish republican army óglaıgh na héıreann lafferty donaghey keenan starrs mcgillen carr mcdaid moyne heaney coyle harkin duffy quigley english mcsheffrey mcfadden unbowed and unbroken erected in memory of the fallen in ireland about 3000 BC it is believed that they were erected to honour an esteemed chieftain or warrior tógadh an leacht cuımhneacháın ın ónóır agus ı gcuımhne ar chéad chathlán bhrıogáıd dhoıre óglaıgh na héıreann tugtar ómós do mhısneach saoırse poblachta