CNR

The Army Of Labour

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Áras Uí Chonghaile has a “James Connolly Heritage Trail”, with a series of plaques and panels that interested parties can walk as members of a guided tour, or by themselves with the aid of an app (Android | Apple). One of the stops is in Corporation Street, site of the Belfast offices of the ITGWU from 1911-1941.

The nearby ITGWU board gives Connolly’s report from 1911: “The Branch has rented extensive premises at 122 Corporation Street and intend having a smoking and reading room in connection therewith; we are considering the organisation of a band and have in contemplation also the launching of many other schemes for the moral, social, and financial uplifting of the members. The Irish Transpost and General Workers’ Union is in the vanguard of that Irish branch of the Army of Labour, and we are honoured when we carry its banner.”

It then goes on to describe the arrest of Winnie Carney and the raiding of the Corporation Street offices in 1922.

For the Connolly centre, see previously: Socialism Is Neither Catholic Nor Protestant | Join The Socialists!

For Winnie Carney’s offices, see Naming Our Streets and for a lead post on Carney, see The Typist With The Webley.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X12812 X12811 X12813

Rook O’Prey

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Martin “Rook” O’Prey was the Belfast brigade commander of the IPLO [Irish People’s Liberation Organisation], a breakaway INLA group responsible for killing George Seawright and attacking the Orange Cross social club (WP).

There is a plaque to O’Prey in Leeson Street (M07985).

The RNU has reserved the spot to the left; the edge of the Kieran Abram board is visible on the right.

“Martin ‘Rook’ O’Prey – OC IPLO. Murdered in 1991 aged 29 by loyalist death squads in collusion with British state forces. He fought and died for Ireland. Also remembering his fallen comrades. “Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.””

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X12914 X12913

The Derry Dryad

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Derry is well-known as “doire”, an oak grove, and the oak leaf and acorn are used as symbols by many civic and county organisations. Friz’s (ig) piece for Derry Féile combines Derry’s oaky background with the dryads (tree spirits) of Greek mythology.

Central Drive, Creggan, Derry.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
X12875 X12874

Yellowman & Dulse

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This is Shane O’Driscoll’s (ig) abstract take on the distinctively Antrim-coast foods dulse (a seaweed) and yellowman (a honeycomb confection) on Castle Street, Ballycastle.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14009 X14008

England Get Out Of Ireland

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Irish-language rappers and provocateurs Kneecap (web | ig) unveiled another mural in Hawthorn Street yesterday afternoon ahead of their Falls Park gig last night.

The entry on last year’s mural (Níl Fáılte Roımh An RUC), Incendiary Device, included a shot of the sticker that has been turned into this year’s mural. The sticker, in turn, is based on a vintage mural painted in Strabane (England Get Out Of Ireland) and Belfast (Stad Maggie Anoıs). (See also Give It Back, Thief!)

For images from the launch on August 11th, see the Paddy Duffy collection.

Replaces the large GAA board.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14041 X14042

Spread Your Wings

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Active Communities Network (web) is a non-profit in Belfast, Manchester, and London, focused on youth and community development: “Tackle inequality; create opportunities; inspire change”. Passers-by are invited to stand in the middle of the mural and “spread their wings”.

Replaces: Embrace Change Together.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14004 X14024 X12928 [X12962]

There Is No Lie Big Enough

Extramural Activity1 Comment

“There is no lie big enough to cover the shame of jailing two innocent men #JFTC2”, in this case Brendan McConville and John Paul Wooton. Their portraits have been appearing on RNU (Fb) walls (and on Sliabh Dubh) since 2013. They are in prison, for 25-year and 18-year minimums, respectively, for the 2009 killing of PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll (BBC).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X12915 X12924

Jimmy Steele Will Lead Us

Extramural Activity3 Comments

Over the course of a long career as a Fian, IRA volunteer, and Northern Command adjudtant, Jimmy Steele saw action in the S-Plan (see Joe Malone’s gravestone in Far Dearer The Grave Or The Prison) and the border campaign, went on hunger strike and “strip strike” (blanket), escaped from Crumlin Road gaol, and was the first editor of Republican News. (Treason Felony | WP) This poster (from the Irish Republican Martyrs’ Commemorative Committee – Fb)calls people to a commemoration of Steele on the anniversary of his death, August 9th, 1970.

“Óglach Jimmy Steele Commemoration. Assemble at Milltown Cemetery gates 3:00pm Wednesday 9th August. Irish Republican Martyrs Commemorative Committee wreath laying ceremony 53rd anniversary. All welcome/fáılte roımh chách.” “Jimmy Steele will lead us … Éıre abú. An Phoblacht abú.”

Northumberland Street, Belfast.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X12923

Marrowbone Youth Club

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Fáılte go dtí Marrowbone youth club [club óıge Mhachaıre Bothaın (Fb)] – better our community by working together.” The verbiage is a mix of Irish and English and the imagery is a mix of youth activities and … a minion.

The previous mural – which included Cliftonville (soccer) and Antrim (GAA) emblems – was seen previously in 2013 and in 2021.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X12944 [X12945] X12946 [X12947] X12948 X12949 X12950
X07820

11,000 Days And Counting

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The number is arrived at by aggregating the days served by republican prisoners in Maghaberry, Hydebank, and Portlaoise (IRPWA – page contains images of all the locations in which this board was mounted).

Braemar Street, west Belfast.

“End internment by remand! 11000 days and counting. Bail denied. Seán Farrell, Davy Jordan, Kevin Murphy, Nick Donnelly, Charlie Love, Shea Reynolds, Ciaran Maguire, Gary Hayden, Sean Walsh, Damien McLaughlin, Sharon Jordan, Mandy Duffy.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X12939 X12938