Belfast west

Total Abstinence

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2013-09-17 Angel+

Two more images from inside the hall of the Loyal Orange Order on Clifton Street, both having to do with temperance. (Previously: All Our Hope On Thee Is Stayed | Occupy Till I Come)

The first, above is of ‘the angel with the book’, a reference to Revelation 10: “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.” (King James trans.)

The second, below, shows Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley being burnt at the stake in 1555. “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England [as I trust] shall never be put out.” (WP)

2013-09-16 Abstinence+

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X01311 X01308 Ballygomartin l.o.l. no. 741 st. michael’s church defender 1890

End

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2013-09-17 End+

Detail from a new mural on the Springfield Road, opposite the barracks: End British internment of Irish Republicans, 2013. Painted by Rebel Rebel of the Gael Force Art group. A shot of the whole piece can be found below.

2013-09-17 EndInternment+

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Occupy

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2013-09-14 OccupyTillICome+

Another image from inside the Clifton Street Orange Order hall: an outline of the island of Ireland under the title (in Old Irish script) Oḋreaċt na [h]Éıreann – The Heritage of Ireland – surrounded by the coats of arms of the cities of Londonderry, Dublin, Cork and Belfast, and with the words “Occupy Till I Come – Luke 19:13” at the bottom.

“Occupy until I come” is the King James translation of Luke 19:13 (Greek: πραγματεύσασθαιἐνᾧἔρχομαι) and is better translated as “conduct business until I come [back]”. It is from the story of the king who gave money to 10 servants to see what they would make with it. The one who does nothing with it says he knows the king is exploitative and harsh (αὐστηρὸς, austere!) and he was afraid (to lessen or lose the money, presumably). To which the king says, roughly, ‘if you knew that I expect to profit from other people, you should have done something with it!’ and has his money taken away; meanwhile, the citizens who spoke against the king in his absence are executed. So the moral of the story for Ireland is … the King has given Ireland to Protestants in order to increase its value, and they better make sure they do, because he expects to collect the profit; and anyone among the natives who protests is to be executed upon his return?

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The 3 R’s Of Restorative Justice

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2013-08-22 3Rs+

Above is another ‘Alternatives‘ board, on Cupar Way, encouraging reconciliation between victims and offenders (alternativesrj.org).

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X01284 the offence offender victim restorative journey agree resolution responsibility restitution reconciliation provides an opportunity for those directly affected by an offence to communicate and agree how to deal with the offence and its consequences alternatives mediation heard accepted compassion empathy proud respected empowered in control satisfied

All Our Hope On Thee Is Stayed

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2013-09-17 Cross+

Last weekend (September 14th and 15th) saw many buildings typically closed to the public open up for European Heritage Open Days. Among those was the Orange hall on Clifton Street. Military and religious themes were prevalent throughout, as images over the coming days will illustrate.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01312 Anchor purple star l.o.l. no. 811 cross sea

Belfast Inventiveness

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2013-08-23 BelfastInventiveness+

Titanic was hull number “401” at Harland & Wolff, and, after hitting an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. on April 14th, 1912, sank at 2:20 a.m. (WP). Above is another (see also 2013-09-02, 2013-09-13) metal-work piece on the Cupar Way “peace” line, with images of a boat dock, solderers, and wind turbines.

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X01286 creativeness impact training maximising potential once the largest shipyard in the world creativeness tragedy 401 2:20 am

Topper Thompson

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This is the (second) memorial to Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson in Moyard. He was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.

“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994 aged 25. Deeply missed by never forgotten. Erected by his friends.”

Springfield Park, west Belfast.

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Identity

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2013-08-24 CuparIdentityHeritage+

Another colourful piece of metalwork on the Cupar Way “peace” line, celebrating the construction of the Titanic at Harland & Wolff shipyard.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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McMahon Relics

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2013-08-08 BVM1922-2+

Above is an image of one of two surviving religious pictures from the McMahon household on Kinnaird Terrace, off the Antrim Road. The picture was in the house the night five members of the family and one other person were killed, in 1922, by members of the RIC or the Specials (milltowncemetery.com, WP). The holes on the left and at the bottom are thought to be bullet holes, while the article below claims the tear in the upper centre is from the butt of a rifle. The picture is at present on display in the Republican Museum on Conway Street.

2013-08-08 BVMMcMahonClipping+

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Australian Aid

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2013-08-20 ConwayStBanners+

Above is an extra-wide shot (2700 pixels) of another panel from the wall next to the Republican Museum on Conway Street (next to the previously featured Eileen Hickey). The mural features banners of two Australian Republican support-groups, holding banners reading “Australian Aid for Ireland QLD [Queensland] Branch – The Spirit of Freedom” and “The Casement Support Group – Saoirse Melbourne”.

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X01281 lark, fuiseog, old branch hunger strike amnesty