Being a human is hard and being a good human is harder. But art (specifically the Queens Of The Stone Age ‘God Is In The Radio’) gives us the inspiration to keep coming back for another try. Graffiti on a McHugh’s poster in the New Lodge.
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“White lives matter!!!” Graffiti in racial (rather than nationality or class) terms, in the shadow of Teach Fhinn, New Lodge.
Update: Replaced with “BLM” (tw).
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Community warning. This area is being monitored for antisocial behaviour. Your behaviour has consquences. Think of your community. Don’t do anything you might later regret. This sign was amended by Lasaır Dhearg [web | tw] as part of our campaign against imperialism and PSNI normalisation.” The substitute version is from the Fall Road, the original (below) is from Ballysillan Road.
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The foundation stone for North Belfast Memorial Hall (Fb) was laid by Edward Carson in 1923 (Fb) to a plan by Gabriel Porte. Here is the facade in brilliant sunshine, with a banner in support of NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family together fighting Covid-19.”
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The funeral of 14 year-old teenager and St Malachy’s College student Noah Donohoe takes place today (Wednesday July 1st). His body was found in a north Belfast storm drain on Saturday, 6 days after he left his south Belfast home and was seen cycling in the York Road area. His disappearance sparked a massive search aided by the volunteers from the public and confirmation of his death was marked by vigils at Grove Park and St Malachy’s (Belfast) and in Strabane (Irish Times). The floral tributes shown here are on the gates of St Malachy’s which his cortège will pass after the service. The College posted a glowing tribute to Noah on its instagram page.
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Pro tanto quid retribuamus” [What shall we give in return for so much] is the motto of Belfast, included in the coat of arms shown above and newly appropriate in the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family. Together fighting Covid-19.” The banner is on the Clifton Street hall; King William III bestrides his horse and the horse bestrides the building.
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Sylvester’s (Fb | tw) on the Antrim Road at the Waterworks had its shutters painted with a positive message during the Coronavirus epidemic. “Stay safe”. (Update: Sylvester’s closed down in this location and took over half of the space at Manny’s in November.)
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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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“Parasite drug dealers – leave our kids alone”. Saoradh (web | Fb) has a new board on Ardoyne Avenue, Belfast, trying to combat drug dealing in north Belfast (A list of alleged dealers was distributed last July (BelTel) | arrests for dealing cocaine were made in 2019-10 (BelTel) and 2020-02 (BelfastLive).
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Go raıbh maıth agaıbh/Thank you – Ardoyne + The Bone applaud NHS and all essential keyworkers”, “Stay home, stay safe”. The keyworkers (including shop servers and hospital janitors) all wear masks and gloves.
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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A gate was installed in the Alexandra Park “peace” line in 2011 (see this image from that year) which is opened daily to allow pedestrian traffic between Mountcollyer and Newington. During the pandemic, however, the gate has been closed for weeks and there is confusion over the reason – originally it was said to be due to staffing issues but anti-social behaviour has also been mentioned (Irish News).
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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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Extramural Activity 