A picnic basket of political parties: PUP, Conservatives and Unionists, DUP, [perhaps Alliance sticking out at the bottom] SDLP, and Sınn Féın. Painted for International Peace Day, 2009.
Northumberland Street, Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05969
“This mural is dedicated to the officers and members of the Woodvale Defence Association who gave their lives and their freedom in defence of this are. All gave some, some gave all. Quis separabit.” The plaque reads: “This plaque is dedicated to the officers and members of ‘B’ Company WDA (UFF) who gave their lives and their freedom in defence of the Woodvale. Quis separabit.
Ernie “Duke” Elliott came from the Woodvale area and was a founder member of the Woodvale Defence Association in 1971, which was later folded into the UDA. He was also a Marxist. He was killed in a pub brawl in December 1972 in a dispute over weapons (WP | Tele | Watching The Door).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05968
“Broadway Defenders” was originally the name of LOL 824, which was based in what is now An Cultúrlann but was formerly Broadway Presbyterian church. (LOL 824 was included on the mural on the hoarding around Cultúrlann while it was be redeveloped – see the close-up below and for more see M06462.) But the graffiti above is probably from a CNR hand, given its location and the adjacent “KAH” (and previously “Erin Go Brach“) graffiti.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05966 X05955
“Conway linen mill 1842-1976.” The mill is currently in use as an arts centre and museum; the centre’s web page has a history (including a video) of the mill.
“Artists Margaret McCann & Deborah Hamilton 06. Beechmount Community Project.”
This is another piece for the project was hung in Beechmount Avenue/Ascaıll Ard Na bhFeá – see M04431.
Thames Street, Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05960
This is a 2010 close-up of the RIC Murder Gang mural previously discussed in 2007.
Northumberland Street, west Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05962
In the two-person game of ‘rock-paper-scissors’ (or four-person ‘rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock’) rock prevents scissors from cutting. Sınn Féın are encouraging stoney resistance to austerity proposals by the Conservative party (Tories).
The cuts would continue – see Stop Tory Cuts – and persist throughout the decade: WP | Guardian
Falls Rd/Glen Rd – former site of the Andersonstown RUC barracks
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05961
“1650-2009: 350 years of occupation, 350 years of resistance. Catalan language has been spoken since VIII century. Nowadays, after 350 years of occupation and prohibition, there are 9 million Catalan speakers. The spirit of revolt against the Spanish kingdom and French state is still alive. The struggle of the Catalan people continues against the existing discriminations. Not Spain, not France.” “Saoırse na hÉıreann, Llibrtat Països Catalans”.
Clowney Street, Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05957
The “blanket” (Gaeilge: pluıd) protest (not wearing prison uniforms) was a response to the removal of political (Special Category) status in 1976 (WP). The “no wash” or “dirty” protest (not using toilet facilities) followed in 1978 (WP). Both forms of protest are illustrated in the board shown above: three unshaven men wear blankets and go barefoot in a cell with excrement smeared on the walls.
An information plaque was added below, on the Phoenix mural (not shown – see M04941).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05956
“Broken Irish is preferable to skilful English”, itself written in somewhat broken Irish. In each corner is a gold ring (fáınne óır), sometimes worn by fluent Irish-speakers. The top hat and the ?daisies? alongside the harp, shamrock, and ?flute? are unusual; if you can explain their appearance here, please comment or get in touch.
Iveagh Youth mural in Iveagh Drive/Céıde Uíbh Eachach
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05949
This is a new mural by Mo Chara Kelly (with DD Walker, Michael Kelly, and Ta Heath) commemorating the deaths of five people shot by British Army snipers in 1972: Paddy Butler (39), David McCafferty (15), Margaret Gargan (13), John Dougal (16), Fr Noel Fitzpatrick (40). The snipers fired from JP Corry’s timber yard (shown on the right) and at the time the Westrock bungalows were still standing (shown lower left). “Belfast’s Bloody Sunday. On the 9th July 1972 the British Army murdered 5 Irish citizens and severely wounded 2 others. It’s time for the truth.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00374
Extramural Activity 