In this modified ‘School’ safety sign in the lower Shankill estate, a mother and child with collarettes go to school, under the watchful eye of UFF, UYM, and UDA boards on the gable wall behind it. (In 2000, a board reading “Drumcree” was placed over “School”. See J0585)
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03120 X03119 X03118 terrae filius quis separabit UFF 73 ulster defence force young militants freedom fighters
The memorial garden in Mount Vernon, which previously had and Ulster Volunteers mural and UVF stone has undergone a major redevelopment this year with a new “cut-out” mural to the 36th (Ulster) Division and memorial plaques to six UVF members who died between 1974 and 2000, including (in the second image) Joe Shaw, who was shot by the UDA during the 1974-1975 feud. (For details of the killings and its aftermath, see this Balaclava Street article.) See the final image, below, for the plaque on the outside wall of the garden listing all six members.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03109 X03108 X03110 [X09891] X09892 X09893 X09898 X09897 X09896 X09895 Joe Shaw 18-5-1974 Samuel Frame 13-3-1976 Jackie Irvine 16-3-1989 Colin Caldwell 28-11-1991 Bertie Rice 31-10-2000 Mark Quail 1-11-2000 murdered in the service of ulster we salute also all volunteers at home and on the mainland who served with dignity and pride 3rd battalion north belfast ulster volunteer force lest we forget ulster defence association the great war soldiers marching profile we will remember them 1914-1918
Sınn Féın leader Gerry Adams said of the (Provisional) IRA in 1995 “They haven’t gone away, you know” (youtube). The dove of peace is shot down (presumably by IRA weapons) at the junction of Northumberland and Beverly Streets in PUL west Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03107 X03106
Tourists from France, Japan, Israel, Germany, Italy, China, Spain and Croatia are welcomed to Boyd’s shop in the Lower Shankill estate.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03102 X03117 newsagents confectionery groceries hot drinks sandwiches greeting cards Welcome bienvenue yokoso shalom wilkommen benvenuto huan ying bienvenido dobrodosli
A tarpaulin celebrating the North Down Grenadiers (Fb) flute band has been added above the Red Hand Commando panels on the front of this house in Bangor’s Whitehill neighbourhood. (Compare the image above to M06398.) The emblems of both groups are very similar, featuring a red hand with wings. As well as the RHC emblem on the front gate, there is also a stone on the left dedicated to D. Company volunteers.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02787 Audentes fortuna iuvat – fortune favors the brave at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them in memory of our fallen volunteers north down brigade D. Company lest we forget red hand wings star
The lower Shankill gable with the infamous UDU mural, with the gunman pointing at the viewer, has been razed. (Irish News article on what it calls the ‘Belfast Mona Lisa’.)
Compare this image with the one in Hopewell Gallery.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03141
Young people from the Lower Shankill pose in the style of a movie poster: “You must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world.” The info panel (shown below) incorrectly states that the board replaces a loyalist H-Block mural (of which there were two versions: yellow (M02473) | orange) and, before that, a UDU-UFF-UDA mural; these were on different walls and this board replaces only the Maze mural.
This is the second of five recently-launched boards in the lower Shankill. The first to be featured was I Am Not Resilient.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03072 X03073 the lower shankill angels youth group came together to create their very own movie style poster celebrating the strength of their group their aspirations and their love and respect for the community the also wanted to highly how they as young people are often misunderstood artist lesley cherry led the photographic workshops drawing out stories about the groups hopes and fears for the future and how some wanted to stay in the area while others wanted to travel and see the world all agreed that the lower shankill would always have a special place in their hearts this artwork celebrates their ambition and optimism at this stage in their lives this artwork was funded by the housing executive working in partnership with the lower shankill community association the artwork replace the a UDA/UDA and the Freedom 2000 mural which featured HM Maze Prison
mark adair megan aiken nathan arbuthnor craig ballentine ryan baxter justin baxter darnel bell latisha brant CJ burke rabileigh crooks morgan dillon alanna flynn nathan hill brandon irvine curtis irvine marcus kane dylan kane megan mccaw simone mccormick jordan mckeag brittney mckeag kerri-lee mclaughlin jenni mclaughlin glenn mcquillan thomas mitchell jordan mullan morgan patterson lauren stewart chloe stewart becky turner craig wilson
The board featured here (above and three shots below) has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it is part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, which was waged from July to October in 1940. On the other, it is part of an anti-racism project, celebrating in particular the contributions to the Battle made by roughly 145 Polish aviators (WP) and especially the 303 squadron: “The Polish nation – part of us then, part of us now”. The 303 was later stationed in Northern Ireland for a time. (BBC-NI)
The artist is Ross Wilson. The colour version of the central photograph is available at the Housing Executive’s write-up of the project. Other reports: Belfast Live | NewsLetter
Video of speeches from the launch:
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02994 X02995 X02996 X02997 churchill never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few 21st august 1940 after the invasion of poland by germany on september 1st 1939 many young polish airmen made their way to britain the luftwaffe had full control of the skies over poland and any attempt to fight there would have been futile a rapidly modernising royal air force was an attractive alternative especially as they had been equipped with the ultra-modern spitfire and hurricane fighter planes with a shortage of experienced pilots polish airman became the largest group of non british personnel in the RAF during the battle of britain they joined already established squadrons in fighter command however on july 13th they were given their own squadrons one of these was the highly successful 303 polish squadron during the battle destroyed more aircraft than any other fourth highest tally of all 2nd world war shot down 20% of all experience of seeing their homeland at the mercy of the german forces hardened their resolve regarded by fellow pilots as highly focused and courageous josef frantisek highest scoring fighter ace had it not been for the magnificent material contributed and their unsurpassed gallantry i hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same air chief marshall sir hugh downing per ardua ad astra we do not forget that you were the first to resist the aggressor neither do we forget that you came after manifold trials to our aid when we most needed your help your valiant fighting alongside in the forefront helped to restore the fortunes of the allies throughout the years of struggle in good times and bad you have stood by us and shared their losses and their victories sir archibald sinclair british air minister letter to polish airmen 1945 general sikorski honours rations outside their mess hut john alexander kent feric grzeszcczak zumbach lokuciewski hennerberg daszewski szaposznikow from this day to the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered we few we happy few we band of brothers for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother henry V william shakespeare the legend of 303 polish squadron they gave their lives high up there somewhere where earthly matters are so distant the rays of the sun so pure and god so close we must wonder if mankind is yet aware of the credit that is their due pete bleakley ross wilson housing executive lower shankill community association
The lower Shankill estate has been re-imaged (again). The history of re-imaging in the lower Shankill is told by the new piece at Boundary Way: the wall first sported a mural critiquing Sinn Féin’s role in the peace process (see this 2004 image) before being replaced around 2007 by a mural celebrating Andrew Jackson’s Ulster-Scots heritage (see X00285). The new work sends a mixed message: the word “resilient” is in large letters and is the title of the piece, but the quote reads “Stop calling me “resilient”. Because every time you say “Oh, they’re resilient,” that means you can do something else to me. I am not resilient.” The quote would seem to be by Tracie Washington (not: Tracie Jackson) of the Louisiana Justice Institute. The left-hand side wall, which read “UDA Est. 1971” was painted over. For a description of the launch, see this Housing Executive report. Five printed pieces (four of them new this year) have replaced various murals in the area.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03074 X03075 The title of this artwork reflects a slogan used internationally, where social and political change has been paramount. It is understood that such change emerges only through true and thorough consultation with the community and that is the wish of residents of the Lower Shankill – to affect social change and move forward through collaboration with decision makers and government, at every level. Artist Lesley Cherry worked with members of the Lower Shankill Community Association who felt that this slogan best described how they are feeling as a community in relation to social change, redevelopment, education, housing and employment. They also felt that this slogan, best described their struggle in attaining what is best for their community, at present and also, how it can shape their future. This artwork was funded by the Housing Executive, working in partnership with the Lower Shankill Community Association. The artwork replaces a mural of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States of America, whose family originated from Carrickfergus and a mural commenting on the Northern Irish Peace Process. effect
The Peace Bridge is shown spanning the Foyle between (the former) Ebrington barracks and the Guildhall, with a film-strip of images, many depicting naval and military scenes, above and below. The detail below shows a gap in the walls of Derry, a poster encouraging people to “Join the Wrens [and free a man for the fleet]” (the Women’s Royal Naval Service; see the poster at IWM), soldiers playing ping-pong in their barracks, and the ship’s bell of the HMS Londonderry (which served as a training ship during the Falkland War (WP)).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02872 X02873 project funded reimaging communities programme supported by shared communities consortium lottery housing executive social development first minister deputy international fund for ireland derry londonderry doire
Extramural Activity 