In 2011, Éırígí contested the local election in Belfast, fielding candidates in two areas. Pádraıc Mac Coıtır received 1,415 first preference votes (more than 10%) in Upper Falls and John McCusker 647 in Lower Falls. Neither was successful (WP).
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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When the mural to “the first blanketman” Kieran Nugent mural (in the Rock streets) was re-done in February 2011, it was initially framed with a terrific selection of posters from the period, many of them from continental Europe, about Kieran, the blanket protest, and hunger striker.
“I’m not a criminal. The Brits will have to nail prison clothes to my back.” For the previous mural, and some background about Nugent going “on the blanket”, see M02550.
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Titanic sails (impossibly) between the Giant’s Causeway (on the left) and one of the Harland & Wolff cranes – all under Napoleon’s Nose and Cave Hill.
This mural replaced a UDA mural in Downing Street, Belfast.
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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.
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“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).
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“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.
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“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.
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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This is a 2010 close-up of the RIC Murder Gang mural previously discussed in 2007.
Northumberland Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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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
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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).
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Extramural Activity 