Belfast west

Free Otegi

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2013-10-08 FreeOtegi+

This new pro-Basque mural on the International Wall on Divis Street calls for the release of Arnaldo Otegi, one-time ETA member and leader of a pro-Basque party, along with other political prisoners. (More information on Otegi at arnaldotegi.com and WP.) “Pake bidean” is the Basque for “The pathway to peace”.  (The mural is at the eastern end of the wall; takes the place of the Ian Knox anti-racism mural featured in Never Actually Existed.)

Update: Otegi was released in March, 2016 (Irish Times)

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01375 over 700 political prisoners in Spanish and French jails. Free them all! Stop the political trials in the basque country. Scaoiltear saor uilig iad.

Indian Community In Belfast

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2013-09-20 IndianComm+

A subdued, sheet-covered, Indian community hall, between the Carlisle Memorial church and the Clifton Street Orange Order hall, was open to the public during the European Heritage Open Days last month.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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And The Sword In The Other

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2013-09-18 Sash+

Here are two final images from the Clifton Street Orange Lodge, the first showing various insignia on a sash, including a Bible and crossed swords, the second showing various halberds.

The title of the post comes from a well-known phrase “with the Bible in one hand and the sword in the other”, the earliest appearance of which seems to be in Giovanni Battista Nicolini’s 1854 History Of The Jesuits: “Protestantism, a giant in its infancy, standing in a menacing attitude, with the Bible in one hand and the sword in the other, bid defiance to the impugners of the Sacred Volume.”

Previously: All Our Hope On Thee Is Stayed | Occupy | Total Abstinence | Across The Water

2013-09-16 Pikes+

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IRA

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Somewhat battered nail-up (one of a pair) in Springhill Heights, possibly referring to the Provisionals rather than the Real/New/Continuity IRA.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Against Established Law

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2013-10-09 CheFallsRd+

“Che Guevara – Blood of an Irish rebel.” A colourful new mural has been completed on the Falls Road (at the end of McQuillan Street) in time for the anniversary of Che Guevara’s death, on October 9th, 1967. The mural features multiple copies of Korda’s iconic Guerillero Heroico (discussed in the Visual History page on Jim Fitzpatrick), two quotes from Che – “When forces of oppression come to maintain themselves in power against established law, peace is considered already broken” and “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine” – and the flags of (from left to right) the Basque Country, Palestine, Ireland, Cuba, Catalonia and Argentina (where Che was born; or perhaps Guatemala, where he was first active – the shield above contains no central icon, which would distinguish the flags).

Che’s father declared that the blood of Irish rebels ran through his son, in reference to their Irish ancestry. For genealogical information, see the previous entry on the Che Guevara Lynch mural in Derry.

The artist is Damian “DeeDee” Walker, of the Gaelforce group. The piece has been in progress for about a month.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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No Surrender

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2013-09-18 Twaddell+

Above is a recently-added banner, from Tiger’s Bay loyalists, to the Twaddell Avenue protest camp – Carson’s statue in front of Stormont with the words ‘We will not be the generation to fail Ulster. Ulster is British. No Surrender’. A wide shot of the south side of the street, where the camp is, can be found below.

Previously: Civil Rights Camp | Supporters Club | Twaddell Protest Camp

2013-09-18 TwaddellWide+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Across The Water

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2013-09-16 Brittania+

Two more images from inside the Clifton Street Orange Lodge, one of Britannia and a lion by the shore, between the army and the navy, and the other (below) of the victory of William of Orange over James in 1690.

Previously: Total Abstinence | Occupy | All Our Hope On Thee Is Stayed

2013-09-15 1690Picture+

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The Big Plan

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2013-09-21 Gaeltacht+

The new Gaeltacht mural on Divis Steet’s International Wall is to mark the launch of The Big Gaeltacht Quarter Plan and the signing of the Gaeltacht Quarter Charter (Tele).

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01324 an domhan an chathaır ceılıúır próıfíl athléımneach saınıúıl údarach spórt oıdreacht draíocht turascóıreacht oıdeachas teanga cultúr the world the city celebrate profile resilient distinctive authentic sport heritage magic tourism education language culture

Shankill Reflections

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2013-08-02 ShankillReflections+

For the Union Flag mural on the other side of the road, see The People’s Army and LPWA, and for the plaque see Big Bill Campbell.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Industrial Legacy

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2013-08-26 IndustrialLegacy+

A fourth and final metal-work piece from the Cupar Way “peace” line shows an aeroplane in outline over a globe and gives a list of various Belfast streets which were formerly industrial centres: Shankill Rd., North St., Victoria St., High St., Ann St., Peters Hill, Royal Ave., Castle Place, Queens Bridge. A wide shot of all (one | two | three) four pieces (as well as Let Go Of The Past and 3 R’s) can be found below.

2013-09-03 CuparMetalWorks+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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