Belfast north

Times Bar Bombing

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A memorial service was held at the Times Bar on Friday June 5th (News Letter) to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the attack on the Times Bar in 1976, in which Edward McMurray and Robert Groves were killed by a republican bomb. (An image of the bombed bar can be found on Xitter.)

Three plaques were added to the memorial garden where the service took place, to William Haddock, James Smyth, and William Flynn. (Compare to 2019.)

As the images from May 10th in the Paddy Duffy Collection show, a painted mural was originally planned for the spot.

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The Magic Within

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“The Shamrock supports Kneecap”. At the time this mural was originally painted, in June 2025, Kneecap member Mo Chara (Lıam Óg Ó hAnnaıdh) was facing charges of displaying a flag of a proscribed organisation (Hezbollah). That charge was thrown out on technical grounds and the appeal against that motion was denied in March (BBC).

The Scottish flags are flying over the Shamrock in support of the World Cup soccer team. Scotland is in Group C with Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil.

Ardoyne Avenue, north Belfast

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Gormley

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Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley has been honoured with a new mural in his native Ardoyne. He is Cliftonville’s all-time leading goal-scorer, with more than 300 goals. He has recently signed for the forthcoming (2026-2027) season, which he says will be his last (BBC).

Velsheda Court, Ardoyne/Glenard, north Belfast. There was previously a board to Joe The Goal in Berwick Road.

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God Won’t Save You, James Reid

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The UVF’s James Reid was arrested in 2022 (Crime World) and is currently awaiting trial on charges of blackmail and cocaine possession and distribution. His attempt to have the charges thrown out was rejected at the start of February (BelTel).

These graffiti are on North Boundary Street (in the lower Shankill, west Belfast) and the Ballysillan Road (north Belfast).

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Genocidal Hole

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“Israel is still a genocidal hole”. The peace plan for Gaza was signed on October 9th. Since then, 442 Palestinians have been killed, according to Al Jazeera’s tracker. The amount of food aid being allowed into the strip has improved in January, with 100% of the “minimum caloric need” being met for the first time since October 2023 (UN) but the humanitarian crisis remains “extremely serious” (UN).

This graffiti is at Camberwell Terrace just off the Antrim Road, north Belfast.

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Stand Up To Racism

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Or, in Arabic, “قف ضد العنصرية”. Michelangelo’s ‘The Creation Of Adam‘ is re-imagined as an act of solidarity between Palestinians and Irish people.

Cliftonpark Avenue, north Belfast

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Fulton & Goatley

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“In loving memory of John Fulton [and] Stephen Goatley, died 15th March 1975. Will always be remembered by their family and friends. Quis separabit.” UDA members John Fulton and were Stephen Goatley were killed together in the Alexandra Bar on York Road (close to the Mervue Street location of this memorial) in revenge for the stabbing of the UVF’s Joe Shaw in the North Star Bar by the UVF as part of the UDA-UVF feud in 1975.

The two men named on the other board were also killed in a feud between the UDA and UVF, in 2000 – see Inky & Candy. “In loving memory Thomas (Inky) English & David (Candy) Greer Annesley. Together in the same old way/would be our dearest wish today./Silent memories true and tender/just to show we still remember.”

Mervue Street, Tiger’s Bay, north Belfast. The small plaque was previously seen in 2017.

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Tiger’s Bay Loyal

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“Welcome to the homeland of Tiger’s Bay Loyal flute band. “He is our God, and we are the people.”” Tiger’s Bay Loyal [Fb] is a new flute band, formed in 2025.

Ten local streets are named around the central tiger: Robina Street, Edlingham Street, Mervue Street, Upper Mervue Street, Hallidays Road, Mackey Street, Cosgrave Heights, North Queen Street, Canning Street, Hogarth Street.

The banner itself is in Mervue Street. The Tiger’s Bay First Flute mural remains.

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Tiger’s Bay Loyal

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This pair of hand-painted (and stencilled) boards is next to the Mount Inn on North Queen Street. Tiger’s Bay is loyal to the memory of “1690” and the service of the 36th Division in WWI in 1916.

Also included below is the nearby “We will remember them” piece, seen previously in North Belfast Friends Of The Somme.

Greenmount Street, Tiger’s Bay, north Belfast

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Inky & Candy

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“25 years from home. In proud and loving memory of Inky & Candy. Gone but not forgotten.”

October 2000 was a violent month in Tiger’s Bay, north Belfast, as the UDA and UVF feuded. David “Candy” Annesley (commonly known as David Greer – BelTel) was shot in Mountcollyer Street on October 28th by the UVF. On the 31st, Bertie Rice, veteran UVF member and canvasser for the PUP, was killed by the UDA at his Canning Street house. Later the same day, Tommy “Inky” English – UDA commander in north Belfast who had previously lived in Tiger’s Bay – was shot death by the UVF at his Ballyduff home. Mark Quail of the UVF was shot in Rathcoole on November 1st. (BBC | BBC | WP) There were fears that the feud would end (An Phoblacht) but it was formally ended on December 15th, with a joint statement by both groups (RTÉ).

This twenty-fifth anniversary tarp is on the multi-use pitch on North Queen Street at Upper Canning Street.

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