Nothing About Us

2010-10-00 NothingWithoutUs+

“Nothing about us without us is for us …” From the info board: “The title of this artwork reflects a slogan used internationally, where social and political change has been paramount. It is understood that such change emerges only through true and thorough consultation with the community and that is the wish of residents of Lower Shankill – to affect [sic] social change move forward through collaboration with decision makers and government at every level.This digital installation has been created by artist Lesley Cherry who has worked intensively with the Lower Shankill Community Association and members of the community to produce hundreds of positive images which reflect the need for change and consultation within that process, the ensure a better future for all.

As part of the Re-Imaging Communities Programme, led by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, this artwork replaces previous murals of The Malvern Street Arch, [and before that] The Queen Mother [probably intended is the QEII golden jubilee mural] and [before that] The Scottish Brigade [this mural was in fact three walls to the right; prior to the QEII mural was a UFF mural].”

Hopewell Crescent, west Belfast.

Update: When the upper part of the estate was redeveloped, this board was moved down to Malvern Way. A new info board was placed next to it, showing murals that had preceded it in that (Malvern Way) spot and replacing the third paragraph: “This artwork was funded by the Housing Executive, working in partnership with the Lower Shankill Community Association. The artwork replaces previous murals depicting paramilitaries and one of the Northern Ireland Coat of Arms.”

T02569 2023-04-23+

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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T02569 courtesy of Paddy Duffy 2023

Live Free!

Joe Cahill joined the Fianna in 1937 and was involved in the republican movement from then until his death in 2004, including being in Tom Williams’s company in 1942 and later a founder member and Chief of Staff of the Provisional IRA. In the centre of the image he is at the end of the table at the August 13, 1971, press conference to comment on the introduction of internment (CAIN). He is honoured in the mural above alongside his brothers Tom and Frank Cahill. (Pat O’Hare is painted between Tom and Frank.)

In the top left are small boards with portraits of Ned Maguire Snr, Ned Maguire Jnr, Sam Holden, Dal Delaney, Rita McParland, Paddy Meenan, Paddy Corrigan, Sean Wallace, John Petticrew, Alex Crowe.

“Never will they label our liberation struggle as criminal – Bobby Sands [March 6th Diary].”

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Stolen Child

“Julie Livingstone aged 14 yrs. Murdered by the British Army 13th May 1981.” “The Stolen Child – Come away, O human child/To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand/For the world’s more full of weeping/Than you can understand! – WB Yeats.” Livingstone was killed by a plastic bullet.

There is also a stone and plaque near the spot she was struck, on the Stewartstown Road.

Glenveagh Drive, Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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End The Blockade Of Gaza

A “freedom flotilla” of six ships attempted to end the blockade of Gaza but were stopped by Israeli forces, with activists dying in the resulting struggle (WP).

Previously: End The Siege Of Gaza

New Barnsley Parade, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ballymurphy Massacre August 1971

The painting (by Rıstead Ó Murchú) on the board shows the killing (from the direction of Springmartin) of Father Hugh Mullan in waste ground near Springfield Park. It was previously on the Whiterock Road but has now been moved onto the Springfield Road to join the murals calling for justice. (Out of frame to the right are more panels, including one about the children left behind and one of locals protesting.)

“Ballymurphy Massacre – August 1971 – We demand the truth” with portraits of the 11 dead – Quinn, Mullan, Connolly, Teggart, Philips, Murphy, McCarthy, Doherty, Laverty, Corr, McKerr.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Askatasuna!

“Freedom for the Basque political prisoners.” “Askatasuna” is Basque for “freedom”. In January 2010, all 742 Basque political prisoners went on hunger strike to protest the policy of dispersing them to prisons all over Spain and France.

Glen Rd – former site of the Andersonstown RUC barracks.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Stand United Or Hang Alone

2014-12-03 AOH7+

Above and below are images from the August 15th (feast of the assumption) march of the Ancient Order Of Hibernians, taken at Milltown Cemetery where AOH leader Joe Devlin is buried. The first two show  banners of the Gortrighey division (387) – the first includes an image of a priest celebrating the nativity on Christmas morning at a mass rock in the penal days which is also reproduced in an Ardoyne mural. The Glassdrummand banner shown next includes a very similar image.

We then have two showing the assumption of our lady, the first from the first Derry division and the second from Rosnashane.

The final banner, from Randalstown, shows ‘Our Lady Queen Of Ireland”.

The final two images are of the lapels of a well-traveled Newry member, with badges from Michigan and Pennsylvania alongside a pike (1798), an easter lily (1916) and commemorations of Bloody Sunday and the hunger strikers, and of the side entrance to the local Clonard AOH lodge, division 58, which hosted the gathering.

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X07259 2014-12-17 AOH10+

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X07260 2014-12-17 AOH11+

2014-12-03 AOH2+

2014-12-03 AOH9+

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02417 X07262 X07259 X02413 X07261 X07260 X02412 X02419 [X02411] [X02414] [X02415] [X02416] [X02418] rasharkin ıuır cınn tra yellow jack donohue montco hatfield bloody sunday 72 an gorta mor 284 1905-2005 celtic supporters club hunger strike 25 1981-2006 claddagh 1798 pike stand united or hang alone national convention philadelphia notre dame montgomery county friendhsip unity & true christian charity cromwell 1695

A Rare Bird

This mural of an eagle is particularly striking because it is a piece of street art (by TMN members Raser and Akin/Aken) in Andersonstown (specifically Glen Parade, opposite the Kennedy Centre). Its presence so close to sectarian murals is perhaps explained by the fact that it is on the side of a business – Vogue hair stylists.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Na Fıanna Éıreann

Na Fıanna Éıreann emblem (Sunburst and pike) with “Ógra Shınn Féın”, alongside some wild-style writing and ads for tyres and taxis.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Óglach Joe McDonnell

“IRA Hunger Striker Óglach Joe McDonnell 1951-1981.” McDonnell was the fifth striker to die, on July 8th, after 61 days.

Shaws Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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