This Struggle

Here, from left to right, are all of the metalworks in the memorial garden on Ascaıll Ard Na bhFeá by sculptor and painter Hugh Clawson.
On the stone (above) an IRA volunteer – with the emblem of the Easter lily on his beret – rests in the arms of Mother Ireland and her harp.
Then two featuring the lark as the ‘spirit of freedom’ (from The Lark And The Freedom Fighter). In the first, the lark breaks through the bars of a prison cell, and in the image below, it flies in front of an “H” made of bricks, carrying a bin lid. (For a lark carrying a rifle, see Lark Of War and Armed Resistance.) Clawson’s name can be seen on the bars.
In the second, a lark carries a binlid, used by locals to signal the presence of British Army troops. “In memory of all Irish martyrs who have died on hunger strike in the fight for Irish freedom. Their inspiration and courage will always be remembered by the republican movement and republican family (mid Falls).”
One female and one male volunteer stand with bowed heads.
A pair of hands joined in prayer in the Beechmount memorial garden: “in memory of those innocent people from this area who have died in this struggle for Irish freedom”.
Finally, a scene of protest, in front of the Free Ireland mural at the bottom of the street. “In memory of the all the unsung heroes off [sic] this area who’s [sic] hardship, sacrifice and support during this struggle for Irish freedom will never be forgotten by the Belfast Brigade óglaıgh na h-éıreann.” The plaque depicts the work of print-makers (“Smash H-Block Armagh”), marchers carrying portraits of hunger strikers (“Mid Falls supports the women of Armagh”), bin-lid rattlers, and muralists.
The tarp above reads “Cuımhníonn Lár na bhFál – Mid Falls remembers”
Out of picture to the right of the wide shot is Bobby Sands’s quote “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.” See M04415.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Wandering Arm

A perhaps-unfinished mural of abstract ideas: on the left and right, a scenic view and clouds overlaid with black lattice; in the central portions slate grey rocks and a silhouetted figure with disjoint arm resting on plains of white.

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Copyright © 2017 Extramural Activity
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Luminaries And Legends

Famous faces and landmarks from east Belfast, including, in the foreground, guitarists Gary Moore and Eric Bell (from Thin Lizzy). Included in the bottom right is the artist himself, Dee Craig. For a complete list, see the info board, below.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Pro

Amateur World and European champion Michael Conlan fought – and won – his first professional fight on St. Patrick’s Day, 2017 in New York. Glen Molloy (Fb | Inst) brings his distinctive style to the pugilist’s portrait.

For the mural celebrating Conlan’s 2012 Olympic medal, see Green, White And Bronze.

Previously by Molloy: Jack Nicholson | Billy Casper | Shaun of the Dead/Leo DiCaprio/Bowie | Walken/Adam Ant/Harrison FordPrince/George Michael | Homeless … No Less | Blackjack Tattoo

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Let’s Keep The Wall

Two pieces of local commentary from the Cupar Way “peace” wall in west Belfast. “Fuck the peace process”, “Save the NHS”, and “[Secretary for Health] Jeremy Hunt is a total dick”.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Don’t Be A Victim Of Crime

Four cameras for “just” 349 pounds in order to “protect your home, your car & your kids”, next to a “Brits out” stencil in Beechmount Avenue.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Fáılte Go Dtí Ard Eoın

“Welcome to Ardoyne.” Updated images of a 2014 series of panels in Ardoyne Avenue, celebrating the neighbourhood and reproducing some well-known images from the area. The years have not been kind, with the top layer of brick coming off in many places, including the eyes of boxer Eamonn Magee (?).

For the originals, see Growing Up Too Fast.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Good Year For A Bonfire

New work (presumably) by TLO in Belfast city centre showing King Billy (and horse!) wearing a gas mask as he rides over a river of tyres piled up for burning on bonfires. (The original painting is in the Royal Museums Greenwich). The practice of burning tyres has been controversial over the last few years as it is thought to cause toxic fumes. A collection of tyres was removed from Connswater in mid-March (Tele).

Previously by TLO: Demonizing Paisley | Three Studies Of Ian Paisley | Ian Jong-un | Wee Angel | Taking The Hump | Derryrhoea | Lost Duppy.

Thanks to Belfast Street Art (@Belfast_Beyond) for the tip.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Joe McCann

Joe McCann was (Official) IRA OC in the Markets area of south Belfast, where he was shot by paratroopers in 1972. The HET in 2013 found that the killing was unjustified, as McCann was unarmed and shot multiple times at close range; the DPP announced in December 2016 that two soldiers – now in their 60s – are to stand trial for the shooting. (WP | Irish TimesTelegraph which also includes the photograph used as a background, which shows McCann, with MI, during the occupation of the Inglis bakery in the Markets on August 9th, 1971 – Internment Day.)

The new board fills in a gap in the upper part of Beechmount Avenue: Free Tony TaylorBilal Kayed | The Workers Party | McGurk’s Bar | 9 panels (X02894 X02895 X02896) | Plastic Bullets | 6 panels (X02898 X02899 X02900) | Springhill – WestrockCollusion Untried | Ballymurphy | 3 panels (X02904) | WBTA | Joe McCann | Stop Wars Not People | Sankara | 32CSM | Fidel Castro

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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