Apart To Play

2013-04-23 PartToPlay1+

Two side of the same peace line, with new, near-identical street-art on each side. Above, the view from the Protestant (Woodvale/Shankill) side; below, the view from the Ardoyne side.

2013-04-24 PartToPlay2+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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For What??

2013-05-05 RememberLaMon+

Graffiti on Carrington Street, in east Belfast: “Remember The La Mon bombing. 13 Protestants killed. For what?? Sinn Fein vote!” The La Mon hotel and restaurant, outside Belfast, was filled with civilians enjoying dinner-dances at the time it was bombed by the IRA in February 1978 (WP).

The same graffiti appeared in Ravenhill Avenue and Clara Street.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Mixed Messages

2013-04-01 NoGodsNoMasters+

Not Catholics versus Protestants but atheists versus believers. Contradictory pieces from the towpath running along the Bann, out of Portadown and towards Newry. The first says “No Gods. No Masters”. The second says “The fool hath said there is no God.”

2013-04-01 TheFoolHathSaid+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Volunteering

2013-05-05 TrekTheMournes+

Two of the UVF flags put up to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the formation of the UVF still flying (on May 5th) above the black-and-white UVF mural in Carrington Street at the junction with the Ravenhill Road. The flags were supposed to come down directly after the parade on April 20th (BBC-NI) but there is now confusion as to who is responsible for their removal.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01085 formation of the UVF east belfast battalion for god and ulster trek the stunning mourne mountains oxfam trailfrekker samson goliath masked

Rolling Out The Red, White & Blue Carpet

2013-04-28 HolyCrossKerb+

Holy Cross Primary – an all-girls Catholic school – sits in the loyalist Glenbryn neighbourhood, above Alliance Avenue in Ardoyne. The freshly-painted kerb-stones leave no doubt as to the precarious situation of the school, which is well-known as the site of a dispute in 2001 when loyalists attempted to block access to the school (WP).

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Sir Edward Bingham

2013-03-29 BangorBingham+

This is a mural in his home town to rear admiral Sir Edward (“Barry”) Bingham, OBE, born in Bangor and recipient of the Victoria Cross (featured in the apex of the roof) for service in WWI.

“Rear Admiral Edward Bingham VC OBE, son of Lord Clanmorris, was born in Bangor and served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in engaging the German fleet during the battle of Jutland. The Bingham family name adorns various settings in the town where he is remembered with pride. Rear Admiral Bingham’s Victoria Cross was purchased by North Down borough council and is on display at the North Down museum.”

This mural is adjacent to a Red Hand Commando mural.

The context shot, below, shows the two together, as viewed through the uprights of a community monument just across the road, featuring old photographs and documenting the history of the local community.

There is a ‘category’ tracking murals with windows.

2013-03-29 BangorWide+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01030 X01032 messines hms nestor for valor born 26th July died 24th Sept 1939

Our Wee Country #3

2013-04-07 Ballysillan1+

Two small pieces side by side on the Ballysillan Road in north Belfast. First a “Mural done by Carly and the boys …” showing the IFA’s crest over a banner reading “our wee country”. (Previously: Our Wee Country 1 | 2 )

Below is a mural the sponsoring program “Alternatives“. (Other Alternatives murals: Belfast BlitzWelcome To The Shankill)

2013-04-07 Ballysillan2+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01042 X01043 north belfast victim offender community assisted by n.i.h.e. + scoutlink, irish football association northern ireland

Ulster Says “Tá”

2013-04-05 GlenwoodRight+

A few words of Irish – “Lamh Dearg Abu” – in a loyalist mural in Glenwood Street, just off the Shankill Road, through strictly it should be “Lámh Dhearg Abú”. “Lámh dhearg” means “red hand”, and this is a Red Hand Commando mural.

The same motto was on the mural that this one replaced, which can be seen at M02433.

The title of the post is the headline of a recent article in the Irish Times, giving an account of Irish language classes in (loyalist) east Belfast. “Tá” is Irish for “yes”.

2013-04-05 GlenwoodWide+

2013-04-05 GlenwoodBouquet+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01037 X01038 X01036 believe we dare not boast not fear we stand to pay the cost in all that men hold dear rudyard kipling ulster 1912 belfast west south east down north england co. down antrim scotland a company shankill road; it is not for glory or riches we fight but for our people; in proud and loving memory of our fallen comrades; they went with songs to the battle they were young straight of limb true of eye steady and aglow they were staunch to the end and against odds uncounted they fell with their faces to the foe they shall not grow old as we that are left grow old age shall not weary them nor the years condemn at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them; in memory of volunteer stevie mccrea from the commando staff officers & volunteers

Living Like Animals

2013-04-22 LiveLikeAnimal+

A third piece of Thatcher-related graffiti (one | two), this time in the loyalist Tiger’s Bay area: “If Mr. Sands wants to act like an animal, he can live like one.” Although it is attributed to Mrs. Thatcher here, there does not appear to be any reputable source for the quote. Thatcher’s funeral is tomorrow, Wednesday 17th.

Note the freshly painted kerb stones. Eithne House, one of the New Lodge tower blocks, can be seen in the background of the picture, with a board to hunger-striker Patsy O’Hara on the left-hand side.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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