Here is a gallery of images from last week’s project to repaint a long wall at the Oval in east Belfast – about 14 young people took part, assisted by sprayers from 5th Element (ig), with sponsorship from the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Glentoran FC, and Choice Housing (Belfast Live).
For more 5th Element, see A Brighter Day.
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During the second World War, six basic designs for pillboxes, numbered from ‘Type 22’ to ‘Type 27’ were promulgated by the division of Fortifications And Works as part of anti-invasion planning (WP). This Type 24 is still standing in a corner of the Oval grounds in east Belfast. This image – showing the door – is of the rear of the pillbox; the anticipated line of attack was along Belfast Lough.
“The Oval’s Type-24. In the early hours of the 5th of may the German Luftwaffe (air force) attacked a number of targets in the heart of Belfast. This ‘Type 24’ military pillbox was one of the defence positions around the city which was manned on that morning by a platoon of soldiers of the Gloucestershire Regiment who were based at nearby Victoria Park. … The Oval, the home of Glentoran Football Club was reduced to smouldering rubble as bombs and incendiary mines landed on an area perceived by German intelligence to be an oil storage facility adjacent to both Harland and Wolff shipyard and Short Brothers aircraft factory.”
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“”From here started the long hard march to allied victory” Dwight D. Eisenhower. “Opposite this point was the gathering area for a massive convoy of mixed ships which sailed to arrive at the beaches of Normandy on D-Day 6th. June 1944.”” US naval vessels gathered in Belfast Lough and Commander Thomas Keane (photo) was residing at the Royal hotel in Bangor (WartimeNI). General Eisenhower inspected the USS Quincy at Bangor on 19th May, 1944, (WartimeNI). Bangor’s North Pier was renamed Eisenhower Pier in 2004.
The quote is from August, 1945, when Eisenhower received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s (WartimeNI).
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“Honi soit qui mal y pense” is the motto of the Order Of The Garter. It appears together with “Dieu et mon droit” (“God and my right”) in the UK’s royal coat of arms (see e.g. United Kingdom). The former means, roughly, “Shame to he who thinks bad of it”, the “it” in this case being the English royals’ designs on France (in the 1300s) and in general the monarchy and its God-given right to rule.
The latest divinely-anointed monarch is Charles III, crowned on May 6th. He was preceded by Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years: “East Belfast would like to thank her majesty Queen Elizabeth II on devoting 70 years of service to our great nation. God save the Queen.”
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“… in a safe community.” “Young people at work” in east Belfast on the Dee Street bridge onto “The Island”.
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The Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast readies itself for the Twelfth: above, a few pallets are collected in Thistle Court, just across the Short Strand “peace” line; immediately below, bunting in Tower Street; finally, flags flying on the “understanding” mural in Lendrick Street.
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Before rock band Thin Lizzy played the King’s Club at the Queen’s Court hotel in Bangor on July 27th, 1974 (Thin Lizzy Guide), they took to the water in order to take in the town. They were photographed in the act by Dublin photographer Liam Quigley (Indo profile), and the picture (see it at Thin Lizzy Guide) was turned into a mural by Friz (ig) in Crosby Street, Bangor, last year.
Original guitarist Eric Bell (who was also a member of Them) is featured in a mural of famous faces in east Belfast – see Inspiring Belfast.
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More Sons Of Kai/KAI flute band (ig) markings in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey. See previously The Famous and Welcome To Our Homeland.
Rathcoole Drive/Rathcoole Gardens
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These are images from loyal Ballyclare of goods for sale in the shops along Main Street, including “flegs” and slates commemorative of the coronation of Charles III.
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About 100 people came out to Marine Gardens for the live broadcast of the coronation of Charles III on May 6th (Mid & East Antrim youtube), one of about nine such live-streams across Norther Ireland (Bel Tel).
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Extramural Activity 