A new gate has been installed in the Alexandra Park “peace” line, first erected in 1994, in order to separate the loyalist Mountcollyer and republican Newington neighbourhoods. It will be open during the day for a trial period of three months (BBC).
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Families Against Supergrass Trials was formed to protest the first supergrass trial in 26 years (after the system collapsed during the trial), to begin on September 8th, related to the killing of Tommy English (Belfast Telegraph | BBC | BBC). The banner above is in Donegall Pass, the one below is on the Mount Vernon flats. There was another in Newtownards Road (Irish News). (And in 2012, one in Spier’s Place/Shankill Rd.)
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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These four images are details of the scenic mural behind Finn House/Teach Fhınn in north Belfast’s New Lodge. (For another, see X04723.)
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“MOD deny our troops a well deserved homecoming parade. We as a community need to stand together as one and show our support for those who have sacrificed their lives and served this Country. Please show your support for these brave servicemen and women at Belfast City Hall on Sunday May 22nd 2011. Everyone will be meeting at 12 noon at the Shankill Memorial Gardens and walking to Belfast City Hall. If you care be there.”
For a little background, see this BBC article.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Richard Mussen joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th foot) at the age of 15. At the outbreak of the Zulu wars he volunteered for active service and was transferred to the Second Battalion The South Wales Borderers (24th foot). At the outbreak of the Great War he joined the 9th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles and with him went his 4 sons and 2 sons-in-law. His son Richard (junior) was killed at the Somme on Thursday 21st March, 1918 and is remembered at Pozieres Memorial. Richard Mussen was buried from 22 Dundee Street [which was just above Agnes Street] on 29/12/1936 and was accorded full Military Honours. He was laid to rest in Belfast City Cemetery.” (From the accompanying plaque.)
Here is a short NVTv documentary about Mussen, including (at 12m25s) the image on which the mural shown here is based. The mural was done with spray paint by artist Sam Bates a.k.a. SMUG. It was unveiled on June 24th, 2011.
For some close-ups and the plaque, see the 2016 post.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Republican Socialist Youth Movement graffiti with stencil of Connolly and (defunct) internet address (Fb | ig) at the site of the old Andersonstown RUC barracks.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Brendan Lillis was imprisoned in 1977 but freed in 2003. He was returned to prison in 2009 on robbery charges. Lillis was released from Maghaberry on August 19th, 2011, on humanitarian grounds – he suffered from a severe form of arthritis (BBC-NI).
At the site of the old Andersonstown RUC barracks.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Muraling gets meta, just off the Cliftonville Road. A mural is such a familiar mode of expression in Belfast that one is expected on every wall, and even more so in the post-Agreement years when the state enters as a third source of murals. The pixelated hourglass and font of the text hearken back to computers of the 1990s.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Buisness [sic] as usual” at the Red Barn Gallery off Rosemary Street – perhaps a comment on the state of arts funding.
Rosemary Street, Belfast city centre
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Ballybeen Youth C. Company” Red Hand Commando, with the names of the six counties and the slogan “Lamh Dearg Abu” (a corruption of “Lámh Dhearg Abú”, “red hand to victory”).
Next to another mural mentioning RHC Youth in Morven Park.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Extramural Activity 