Belfast west – Page 52 – Extramural Activity

Nailed To The Mast

2019-05-102026-03-29Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“For what died the sons of Roısín?” The Dogs of IRA D Company [second battalion, Belfast brigade] are added onto the mural of native son and first blanket man, Kieran Nugent: Nugent is reported to have said to his mother, “If they want me to wear a uniform they’ll have to nail it to my back.”

The International Wall, Divis Street, west Belfast. The same board was also mounted in Balkan Street. The Dogs also appear around the corner on Northumberland Street (see Our Struggle Continues).

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Stop The Genocide Of Yemeni People

2019-04-292024-12-27Extramural Activity1 Comment

The United Nations in February called the humanitarian crisis in Yemen the worst in the world (UN) with famine and cholera affecting 18 million people (WP). According to UNICEF, a child is dying every ten minutes (UNICEF). The crisis results from the on-going civil war. Saudi Arabia (with arms, training, and intelligence support from the UK (Theresa May on the left next to Union Flag headscarf), the US (Trump on the right next to US flag headscarf), and France (French flag on the lowest missile) has conducted an air campaign to restore Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who was driven from Aden in March, 2015, by Houthi forces. The Saudi intervention has been criticized for killing citizens and destroying infrastructure (WP), shown in the mural above by bombs falling on a hospital and a school. Update: UK sales were found to be illegal by the Court Of Appeal on June 20th, 2019 (BBC).

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ireland Out Of Britain

2019-04-252024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Sınn Féın leader Mary Lou McDonald drew criticism for appearing behind an “England get out of Ireland” banner at the St Patrick’s day parade in New York city (BBC-NI). This Shankill Road graffiti reverses the sentiment (replacing “Britain” with “England”), commenting perhaps on the difficulty the Northern Ireland border poses for the UK’s attempt to exit the European Union.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The First Dáıl

2019-04-232024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Countess Markievicz – first woman to be a member of the 1st Dáıl and the 1st woman in the world to hold a cabinet position as minister for labour 1919-1922.” Markievicz is shown here in civilian garb with a Cumann na mBan pin – compare with the previous mural celebrating the centenary of CnamB. The first Dáil Éireann met in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin (residence of the Lord Mayor) on January 21st, 1919. 35 Sinn Féin deputies – including Markievicz – were absent because they were “fé ghlas ag Gallaıbh” (“imprisoned by foreigners”) and four more “ar díbırt ag Gallaıbh” (deported by foreigners); Unionist members including Edward Carson did not attend (The Irish Story). Among its business was the adoption of a Declaration Of Irish Independence (title page shown on the right).

The photograph reproduced is of the crowd awaiting news of a truce in the War Of Independence in July 1921 (WP).

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Spoil Your Vote

2019-04-232024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Don’t forget republican prisoners – spoil your vote for political status.” Below are two images of RSF posters in support of republican prisoners (also, Éıre Nua).

Stencil in Ascaill Ard Na bhFeá/Beechmount Avenue, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Wear Your Easter Lily With Pride

2019-04-222024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

16 republicans, the seven signatories of the Proclamation among them, were executed in the wake of the Easter Rising, 14 of them in Dublin in a 10-day period from May 3rd to 12th. They are depicted in this Saoradh (web | tw) poster blindfolded and wearing suits: (from left to right) Patrick Pearse, Thomas Clarke, Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph Plunkett, Edward Daly, William Pearse, Michael O’Hanrahan, John MacBride, Éamonn Ceannt, Michael Mallin, Seán Heuston, Con Colbert, James Connolly, Seán MacDiarmada, Thomas Kent, and Roger Casement. Their deaths and the Rising are commemorated in Belfast each Easter with a parade

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Cross Of Crosses

2019-04-212025-01-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“The Cross Of Crosses – marking 45 years of conflict in Northern Ireland 1969-2014. Let this be the year the conflict ends. [sponsored by] George McIlroy IGNITE 2014.” “Forget me not – remembering those who lost their lives to suicide.” The sculpture, which contains 45 small crosses, was designed by Ross Wilson.

Stop The Witch Hunt

2019-04-112024-12-27Extramural Activity1 Comment

21 soldiers of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on marchers in Derry on January 30th, 1972, killing thirteen people (on the day; one more died later). One of them – codenamed “Soldier F” – was charged last month by the Public Prosecution Service in the deaths of James Wray and William McKinney and wounding of four others. Family members of the deceased reacted with disappointment (e.g. BBC-NI | Kate Nash on Twitter) while others, such as pressure group Justice For NI Veterans decried the PPS decision. The poster above in support of Soldier F is being pasted in north and west Belfast and perhaps beyond. The poster shows protesters facing off against British soldiers in William Street shortly before they opened fire. (See also And The Next Moment …) Posters on the Shankill, however, are being torn down (see second image, below) perhaps (confirmation: BelTel) in sympathy with two locals killed by the Army in 1972 (Irish News | AP video). The Paratroop flag is shown flying on the Ballysillan Road.