Mind Is Your Only Ruler

Spotted in the car-park of the Dunnes on the Ormeau Road/Annadale embankment: “Free your mind – foghlaım Gaeılge [learn Irish]”.

Previously: Díchoılínıgh D’Intınn [Decolonise Your Mind] | If Nothing Is Free Are We

(Thanks to RMcC for the tip-off.)

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07906

How Is Freedom Measured?

The slogan “How is freedom measured? By the effort which it costs to retain!” dates back to WWI and, in the Irish context, to the Home Rule era. It looked as though Britain was going to give Ireland – as a whole – some measure of self-governance (whether while remaining in the UK (“constitutional Home Rule”) or separating from it (“revolutionary Home Rule” or “Fenianism”). In response, it seemed to some that fighting for Britain in the war might secure the status quo. Perhaps additionally or alternatively, it indicated the willingness of unionists to fight. Great effort is the measure of freedom greatly prized – “loyalist Rathcoole will NEVER accept a border in the Irish Sea.” The placards are a product of United Unionists Of Ulster (News Letter). For a mural rendition of the WWI postcard, see previously: How Is Freedom Measured?

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07877 X07870 [X07872] [X07873] X07871 X07874

To Every Thing There Is A Season

“Ulster sold out – time to fight”. The DUP’s Sammy Wilson declared the party would “fight guerilla warfare” against the ‘Northern Ireland Protocol’ which caused Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg to beseech them to “work through the democratic processes” (Irish Times). This graffiti is on Church Road, Newtownabbey.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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An Old Song Re-Sung

“Loyalist Ballysillan says NO! to Irish Sea border.” The Ulster Banner merges with the Union Flag, and a Northern Ireland floating free of the south is cradled by Britain. (Compare with Give And Take from last week.)

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07866 [X07867] Ballysillan Road