This is the (second) memorial to Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson in Moyard. He was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.
“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994 aged 25. Deeply missed by never forgotten. Erected by his friends.”
Springfield Park, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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In this new east Belfast mural, we move from a part of “violence – terrorism – conflict – imprisonment’ to a future of ‘culture – empowerment – human rights – multiculturalism’. The mural is black-and-white on one side and colour on the other. On the left we have watchtowers and paramilitaries in hats and sunglasses; on the right schoolchildren in front of city hall, working on a computer and playing football.
The mural was defaced immediately after it was finished (roughly the end of July), indicating dissatisfaction with the current direction of ‘the future’, but quickly repaired. There is a mural directly above this one, on Lendrick Street, which was featured previously. A wide shot of them both can be found below.
Update: Spring 2022 – some of the words on the colourful ‘future’ side of the mural have been painted over: “empowerment”, “equality”, “diversity”, “multiculturalism”. There is also a streak of white paint on the arm of a black person in the centre of the mural. See the final two images.
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Copyright © 2013/2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01278 X01277 X14079 X14078 looking to a better future, learning from others in conflict in northern ireland ulsters darkest day’s days trouble again bombs explode the troubles a chronology of the northern ireland conflict january-february 1973 stormont earth globe john stewart BCC press release
Another colourful piece of metalwork on the Cupar Way “peace” line, celebrating the construction of the Titanic at Harland & Wolff shipyard.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Above is an image of one of two surviving religious pictures from the McMahon household on Kinnaird Terrace, off the Antrim Road. The picture was in the house the night five members of the family and one other person were killed, in 1922, by members of the RIC or the Specials (milltowncemetery.com, WP). The holes on the left and at the bottom are thought to be bullet holes, while the article below claims the tear in the upper centre is from the butt of a rifle. The picture is at present on display in the Republican Museum on Conway Street.
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As reported in the media a week ago (BBC | Guardian | U.tv video | Slugger), an east Belfast mural featuring footballer George Best, which itself replaced a UVF mural, has been painted over and is being replaced by a new UVF mural. Progress on the piece, however, seems to have halted. This image shows the progress as of Monday 9th, showing no change since the 4th. The mural quotes Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail (pdf), drawing a parallel between the Civil Rights movement in the US and the situation of contemporary Protestants. Below is an image of the George Best piece, courtesy of the Geograph project.
Update 2013-09-13 U.tv reports that the work on the mural has indeed been halted.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Above is an extra-wide shot (2700 pixels) of another panel from the wall next to the Republican Museum on Conway Street (next to the previously featured Eileen Hickey). The mural features banners of two Australian Republican support-groups, holding banners reading “Australian Aid for Ireland QLD [Queensland] Branch – The Spirit of Freedom” and “The Casement Support Group – Saoirse Melbourne”.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Board on the Cupar Way side of the “peace” line showing, on the left hand side, rioters with petrol bombs attacking the police, the “peace” line, and a burning vehicle, and, on the right, construction workers, university graduates, and happy children. “Fight for a better future. It is your choice.” For more information, see Daniela Balmaverde.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The language of “civil rights” and “equality” is being used at the Twaddell site, as can be seen in the placard shown here there are three copies of this sign: the second image, below, is of one on the north side of the street (visible in the previous set of Twaddell pictures) and the third image shows an additional copy on the electrical box on the south side of the street.
See also: Twaddell Protest Camp | Supporters Club | Let Them Home
“Established to campaign for Equality. Civil Rights. Welcome to all who support the campaign. The two main objectives are to see the Ligoniel lodges, bands and supporters complete their 12th july parade; to have the current parades commission removed. Please note the camp and the surrounding area is an alcohol free zone. All music must finish by 9 p.m. and the wishes of the local residents fully respected. Thank you for your support. United we stand – divided we fall.”
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01290 X01291 X01292 scales of justice, commemorating the royal engagement and marriage william & catherine; woodvale defenders of the union flag south support loyal orders hatred of orange culture no surrender not now not ever respect our community south londonderry vanguard bears strictly no alcohol to be consumed residential area
Printed and framed tarp in Bombay Street, commemorating the burning of Bombay Street during the August 1969 Belfast riots and the death Gerald McAuley, a young IRA member (Fian, not “Fiann” as written here) killed by a sniper during the trouble. Three photographs from the street at the time are reproduced in the bottom third of the board.
Ten years ago, an earlier incarnation of this board could be found on the other side of the street, connected to the issue of the day: No (Decom)mission.
RTÉ archival footage of the aftermath and other clips detailing the events in both Belfast and Derry.
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More images from the Twaddell protest camp, this time from the north side of Twaddell Avenue.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01293 X01294 X05291 X01295 ardoyne rangers supporters club supports ligoniel lodges pride of flute band and twaddell residents queenspark british and proud no surrender; north belfast sisters and brethren district end sectarian hatred of protestant culture if a shared future doesn’t include my orange culture history and tradition then there can be no shared future sash king billy antrim unionist forum UPV united protestant voice PUP progressive unionist party mid-ulster association branch youth of northern ireland respect our culture carrickfergus united loyalists civil rights
Extramural Activity 