Belfast

Forget The Past

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“HET” was the “Historical Enquiries Team”, investigating unsolved killings from the Troubles. It lasted from 2005 to 2014 (WP). The graffiti in these images from Mount Vernon and the Shore Road, are perhaps specifically in connection with the investigation into the UVF unit in the area (BelTel) and the murder of Jim Harbinson (BelTel). “Forget the past – peace was delivered”, “HET go home”, “Gerry Adams ya peado [sic] – root da kids”.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Summer Of ’69

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The summer of 1969 is generally taken to be the beginning of the Troubles in Belfast and the most famous symbol of the August riots is the burning of Bombay Street. The street was (and is) just below the old Cupar Street, where many streets drop down from the Shankill (you can see the distribution of PUL and CNR houses in the Visual History page on the west Belfast “peace” line). This event is commemorated in nationalist murals (see e.g. No Mission) but for a statement from the PUL perspective, see Can It Change?

The mural is based on a Frankie Quinn photograph “Belfast 1984”.

Hopewell Avenue, lower Shankill, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2009/2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Shankill Supports The Republican Feud

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Graffiti next to the upper security gate in Northumberland Street. It is not clear which feud is being referred to.

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Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Support Republican Socialist Political Prisoners

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IRSP mural on Northumberland Street, with the Starry Plough shining over the walls of Long Kesh.

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Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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WBTA

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“Providing a community transport system for over 40 years.” The West Belfast Taxi Association (WBTA) have had a mural on the International Wall since at least 2006, offering tours of west Belfast and the murals in particular. Martin Meehan was originally OIRA but switched to the Provisionals after the split. He was the first person convicted of membership of the PIRA and spent 18 years in prison during the Troubles (WP). “Codaıl samh a chomradaí.”

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Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Pictures

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“Artist Daniela Balmaverde has worked with older members of the local community to reminisce and to appreciate those from North Belfast who have made an impact on our broader society. A multiplicity of initiatives has altered the face and conditions of life in this community with Re-Imaging making a positive contribution to a long-term process. The project was launched by the Lord Mayor on August 2009 This project was funded through the Re-Imaging Communities programme of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and delivered by Belfast City Council with the support of Lower Ormeau Road Resident’s Action Group. This project is supported by the Shared Communities Consortium.”

The figures in the mural include Buck Alec Robinson, Rinty Monaghan, Sam McAughtry, Sir James Galway, Dame Mary Peters, Norman Whiteside, and Wayne McCullough. The mural replaced is the one equating the American Confederates with the Ulster Covenant in Alliance Crescent.

X10754 2022-06-27 Filmstrip info+

Update: 2022 shot of the blanked wall

X10753 2022-06-27 Glenbryn whitewash+

Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Liam MacCarthy Cup

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“Councillor Liam MacCarthy, Ireland’s forgotten son. Gael, patriot. Winners of the All-Ireland hurling championship are awarded a trophy named after MacCarthy.

This is an unusual mural in terms of form: it is a mix of mural and board and the knot-work border does not go around the top, so that the hurley players extend the painting and not do not break the frame of the painting.

International wall, Divis St. To the right of the Cuba 50 mural.

(Replaced in 2012 by Never Actually Existed)

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Copyright © 2009 Cathal Woods
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Cuba – 50 Years Of Revolution

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Pro-Cuba mural on the International Wall and criticism of the Obama regime’s continuation of the US blockade. “The world opposes US blockade of Cuba. Time for a change Mr Obama.” “UN General Assembly resolution Oct 2008. Countries opposed to the blockade: 185. Countries in favour: 3 (US, Israel, Palau)”. “¡Aqui no se rinde nadie!” [There’s no giving up here!] (For criticism of Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush, on the international wall, see this mural.)

The word “Venceremos” would later be added on the left; see M05637.

To the left of this mural, to the right of this mural. Was previously ‘Cuba (Stop Plan Bush)’ (M03522).

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Copyright © 2009 Cathal Woods
X00296 1959 50 years of revolution 2009 che guevara heroico ¡aqui no se rinde nadie!, un general assembly resolution oct 2008 countries opposed to u.s. blockade 185 countries in favor 3 (US, israel, palau), the world opposed us blockade of cuba time for a change mr obama

Askatasuna

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“Askatasuna [freedom]. 700 political prisoners! Political parties banned! Incidents of torture! Civil rights abused! Not Spain, not France. Self-determination for the Basque country.” Also highlighted on the map are Galicia and Catalonia.

Pro-Basque mural on the International Wall. To the left of this Cuba 50 mural.

Another pro-Basque mural went up in Beechmount in 2012.

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Copyright © 2009 Cathal Woods
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Arkansas ’57 – Ardoyne ’01 – South Belfast ’09

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“Everyone has the right to live free from sectarian/racist harassment!!! Arkansas ’57 — Ardoyne 2001 — South Belfast ’09”

This is a smaller and cruder version of the classic Ardoyne mural about the Holy Cross dispute, updated now to include the treatment of Romanians in south Belfast – see e.g. Guardian | BelTel.

To the right of the Manchester Martyrs, to the left of the WBTA mural, on the International Wall, Divis Street.

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Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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