Gort Na Móna (tw | Fb) play their home games at Páırc Mhıc Ionnrachtaıgh/Enright Park, named after the local Enright clan and in particular Terry Óg, who was killed by the LVF in January 1998 as he was working as a doorman at Space nightclub (Independent | Irish Times). In addition to football and hurling, he was a boxer, Irish dancer, and – as will be seen in the other mural to his memory – a lover of the outdoors.
Since the 14th, the Time For Truth Committee on its Facebook page has been rolling out videos by relatives who lost family members to British Army or loyalist paramilitary attacks during the Troubles. This Saturday, February 25th, sees a march in support of their call for investigations into these and other deaths. “Fírınne anoıs! Ceartas anoıs!” (Truth now! Justice now!)
Republican political party Saoradh (web) are organising a ‘National Republican Easter Commemoration’ on the Saturday before Easter Sunday (which is April 1st, this year). The parade is expected to be led by a colour party and marchers in combat gear (Irish News | BelTel).
There is either no artwork or no respect on the Cupar Way “peace” line, as tourists sign their names and leave messages (some thought patronising: see Fuck You & Your Patronising Slogans) on the wall without regard to whatever they’re writing over. The Face (on the right), by Kevin Killen (web | NVTv) and participants in a local training programme (Irish Revolution), is composed of cogs and other mechanical pieces, intending to represent the importance of industry in Shankill (and Belfast) life.
Artist Kevin Killen gave voice to the programme: “The Face relates to the themes of Belfast industries. Working with the young adults in Impact Training, we designed and fabricated the artwork. Being a part of the project was rewarding and insightful to everyone involved. As the group was a part of the process from start to finish they have developed ownership of the artwork, which is an important benefit. I hope that the artwork gives pride to all the participants involved in the project.” (Irish Revolution)
O’Donovan Rossa GAC (web | tw | Fb) dates back to 1916, just one year after the death of republican Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa (at whose funeral Padraig Pearse gave the oration – “The fools, the fools …”). “Crom abú” is a war-cry of the ancient FitzGeralds as they attacked the O’Donovan fortress at Crom, Co. Limerick. Some of those fleeing eventually settled in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, which is where Jeremiah was born in 1831. The sword is a symbol of justice, the snake of wisdom.
This bleak and wintry scene, with snow about to fall, is of the garages between Shaws Road and Corrib Avenue. The words of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song echo Epictetus’s doctrine: “Free yourself from mental slavery – none but ourselves can free our minds”.
“96” is the number of deaths in the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster, in which Liverpool fans were crushed to death in Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium. In the days afterward, the Sun newspaper printed allegations that drunken fans attacked and urinated on rescue workers. The newspaper apologised in 2004 but hostility towards the paper persists, with some – as in this image – refusing even to spell it in full. The taxi was spotted in Beechmount. For more on the 2016 inquest, see Hold Your Head Up High.
This striking art – perhaps an anti-drugs message? – is on the outside wall of the Turf Lodge Tenants’ Association & Social Club (Fb) – or simply “The Green Hut” – which served as a community centre during the Troubles. For a history, see the middle part of the NVTv programme The Edge Of The World.
Extramural Activity 