Belfast

Bad Road Transport

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“Sub-standard BRT discriminates against residents, traders, the disabled and their carers.” The new Belfast Rapid Transport has begun testing (BelfastLive | BelTel) in preparation for the official launch on September 3rd, with routes from the city centre to east and west Belfast and a “Citi” loop. To facilitate the new “Gliders”, a lane of traffic is being dedicated to the service from 7 am to 7 pm (also open to other public transport, cyclists, and taxis). Some are worried about traffic congestion (Talking Retail) and one business in west Belfast has closed because of the loss of street parking (Irish News). Another concern is that the new transport hub is not integrated with BRT – its stops for the West and East routes will be 380 and 500 meters away (BelTel).

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06021 Falls Road

Ulster First Flute

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This vintage piece is next to Linfield Gardens, off Sandy Row. (For the mural all the way back in 1997, see M01330.) Ulster First Flute (Fb) shares the emblem of the other UFF – the Ulster Freedom Fighters – a red first (with or without the drops of blood). See also: Gareth ‘Big Henry’ Morrison on Loyalist Avenue.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04856

The Blind Eye Sees All!

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A poetic allusion to the blind prophet Tiresias (from Oedipus Rex) or to security cameras? This graffiti is in the tunnel under the (recently repainted) Harkness Parade shipyard workers.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04909

The Keys To Freedom

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Here is a vintage mural still hanging on in St James’s in west Belfast. It was painted in 1995 (by Andrea Redmond?) and dates back to the peace process and the “Green Ribbon” campaign to secure the release of political prisoners: the dove carries the keys to set them free. The graffiti on the keys, however, reads “IRA” and “FTQ” (“Eff the Queen”), and in the upper wing, “UTP” (“Up the Provos”).

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04420 X04419

Wandering Star

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This is a smaller piece by Bristol street artist CHEBA (web | ig | tw), done when he was over for CNB17 (see Hit The Northern Lights).

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04635 Kent St, Belfast

We Will Remember Them

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Dozens of boards to local soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division (by the 2016 Committee) have been added to the Mount Vernon memorial garden to the soldiers of the Great War (the mural) and contemporary UVF volunteers (the garden). For the mural, memorial stones, and outside plaque, see At Home And On The Mainland.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06016

Almanac Response

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This is one of a number of small pieces done by emic (Tw | Fb) a couple of years ago (2015?) still hanging on in the city centre. This face appeared again in his 420 but adds dive-bombing pigeons.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04892 North St

KAT 1690

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Loyalist graffiti in Boyne Court (Sandy Row): a (reverse) swastika but instead of Jews, the edict is to “KAT [Kill All Taigs]”, drawing inspiration from William’s victory at the Boyne in 1690.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04686

Ain’t Nothin But A Gee Thang

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“Ain’t Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang” (youtube) was the most successful single from Dr Dre’s 1992 debut solo album The Chronic. The song featured Snoop Dogg – who quickly went on to have his own solo career – on vocals. Below is the adjacent writing by CLUES in McKibben’s Court.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04624 X04625

2nd Batt B Coy

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The Young Citizen Volunteers (YCV) is the youth division of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and its emblem, shared with the YCV of 1912, is the red hand on green shamrock, as shown in black-and-white (above and below) in a new side-wall added to the recently repainted UVF mural in Tavanagh Street, for which see the wide shot (third image) and Taking Aim.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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