The impending resurrection of Titanic looms overhead, a new and shiny “reason to visit Belfast” in contrast with the boarded up houses on Lawnbrook Avenue.
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Copyright 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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These are the murals on either side of the Lower Oldpark Community Action Group in Alloa Street. The office might already have been vacated, as the building will be demolished this summer (the office moved to Avoca St).
Above, children play marbles in the street; below, the Oldpark Carnegie Library (Fb) stand beneath Cave Hill and a signpost points the way to old streets in the area that were named after rivers of Ireland: Lee St, Shannon St, Foyle St, Bann St, Suir St, Liffey St.
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Here are three republican boards, framed – Belfast Brigade ONH, Cogús (POWs), 1981 hunger strikers – encouraging New Lodge residents to “Join the Republican Network For Uni[ty]” (web), above a Bobby Sands quote: “We all know the reason that we are being tortured – because we are political dissidents, POWs, and we won’t bend the knee or conform” (from Thoughts From The Shadows).
Duncairn Parade, New Lodge, north Belfast.
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“Honour our patriot dead – wear an Easter lily.” Éırígí (web) board on New Lodge Road, with Marian Price graffiti.
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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Provisional IRA arose “Out of the ashes of 1969”, but the lineage is a long one and all but one of the organisations, events, and arms depicted here precede 1969: Cumann Na mBan, Na Fıanna Éıreann, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, a Celtic shield and sword, a pike (from the 1798 Rebellion), a Thompson gun, the Tricolour; only the assault rifle is modern and perhaps also is meant to indicate the “Belfast Brigade” Provisionals. “Fuaır sıad bás as son saoırse na hÉıreann.”
An in-progress shot from March 5th is below. Replaces Laochra Na nGael.
21 portraits of locals were later added – see M08552.
For a PUL use of the phrase, see Out Of The Ashes.
New Lodge Road, north Belfast
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Two pieces of graffiti art on the Cliftonville “peace” line: “Breakin’ BarrieRs”, as though the “peace” line should come down, but also “Respect R Streets”, if you do break through. With a signature panel on the wall of bubbles (not shown).
Rosevale Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Extramural Activity
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Soccer stars Rooney, Dida, Ronaldo, George Best, Larson [sic], Fernando Torres, Nakamura look down from the heavens on a local football match where the ‘keeper has taken one to the face.
Harcourt Street, north Belfast.
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Jim O’Neill was killed in February 1976 during an IRA arson attack on a furniture warehouse on the Antrim Road near the New Lodge – Gerry Fitt’s house next door might have been the ultimate target (Belfast Child); Robert Allsopp appears to have accidentally shot himself in March 1975 (Irish Peace Process). Both were members of Na Fıanna. The flute band (Fb) is named in their memory.
Below the portraits of Jim O’Neill and Robert Allsopp is written “Glaıne ınár gcroí, neart ınár ngéaga, beart de reír [réır] ar [ár] mbrıathar.” [Purity in our hearts, strength in our limbs, action consistent with our words]
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Linfield FC is a south-Belfast soccer club. The 1961-1962 season is one of two seven-trophy seasons in the club’s history, the first being 40 years previously in 1921-1922 (WP).
Vanguard Bears is a Rangers supporters club.
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“End forced strip searches, end internment [at] Maghaberry concentration camp”. Republican prisoners are held in the Roe House at Maghaberry. Several republican prisoners (as many as five) are conducting a “dirty protest” in response to conditions and treatment, including integration with loyalist prisoners (Irish Echo | BBC). The green ribbon as an emblem goes back to the campaign after the ceasefire to release POWs – here is a mural from 1995.
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Extramural Activity 