Belfast

Mysterious Ways

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2014-02-17 StPetersApex+

Like some of the residents of the Divis area in which this cathedral that bears his name now stands, (Saint) Peter found himself in prison. But the night before his trial, there comes an angel who magically releases his shackles and opens all the doors (Acts 12:3-19). James, on the other hand, is not so fortunate. As a scholar on the WP page notes, why James should die while Peter escapes is a “mystery of divine providence”. Wide shot and info board below.

Another previously-featured scriptural conundrum: Occupy Til I Come (Luke 19:13)

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2014-02-17 StPetersInfo+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01693 X01692 X01694 down & connor catholic gothic french medieval two great towers spires jeremiah ryan mcauley barney hughes scrabo sandstone 1866 sunday 14 october organ in 1883 1885 spires added mortimer thompson total cost 35,900

Waterworld

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2014-02-13 MaighArdCanoe+

Maıgh Ard/Moyard and New Barnsley are at no risk of flooding, but this mural clearly shows the locals long to be paddling down the slopes of Black Mountain/Slıabh Dubh in canoes and kayaks .

2014-02-13 MaighArdWater+

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Naming Our Streets

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2014-02-04 WinifredCarneyRoad+

The Antrim Road at Carlisle Circus also bears the street-name ‘Winifred Carney Road’ (top left of the image above), as part of the ‘Naming Our Streets’ project. Carney’s name was chosen for this location – SIPTU offices – because she was a trade unionist and also because she grew up on Carlisle Circus. For more information, including biographies of 50 historically important Belfast women, seven of whom were honoured in this way, see the Women’s Resource & Development Agency.

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Free Are We

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2014-01-22 IfNothingIs+

Graffiti in Lenadoon. In existentialist mode: “If nothing is, free are we.” Or perhaps “If nothing is free, are we[?]”

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Throw-In

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2014-02-05 RossRdHurlingDetail+

A seven-year old Setanta become Cú Chulaınn (Culann’s Hound) after killing the beast by driving a sliotar (the ball used in hurling) down its throat. Detail from a mural in Roumania Rise, off Ross Road. Wide shot of the whole below. The lettering reads “Mol na nóıge agus tıocfaıdh sí [sic]” [as written: praise the young and it [sic] will flourish; usually the phrase is “Mol an óıge …” “praise youth …”]

2014-02-05 RossRdHurling+

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X01668 X01667 gaelic games hurling

Standing Guard

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2013-12-20 EastBelfBattDetail+

Here are four shots of a late 2011 UVF mural, with memorial wall, on Ballymacarrett Road in east Belfast. The four members named are Robert Seymour, shot dead by the PIRA; James Cordner and Joseph Long, who were killed in a premature explosion, and Robert Bennett, killed by the British Army during a riot. These same four are commemorated in the controversial 2013 mural featured in Years Of Sacrifice.

The nearby memorial (through the railings of which the third image, below, was taken) was constructed in 2003.

2013 saw the 25th anniversary of Seymour’s death; the final image, below, is of a flyer announcing a commemorative parade.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

2013-10-17 SqueakSeymour+

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X01509 X01512 X01510 X01511 X01397 murdered 15th june 1988 joseph long killed in action 27th feb 1977 james cordner robert bennett 7th 1973 in proud memory of fallen comrades ulster volunteer flute band east belfast memorial parade in memory of volunteer squeak 25th anniversary saturday 15th june 2013 leaving parkview bar at 6.00 pm finishing at mural on island street lest we forget

Champions

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2011-00-00 RossRdBoxing+

Here is a 2011 image of a 2005? boxing mural off Ross Road. The lower parts look like they have gone 10 rounds with graffiti artists. In the foreground is a mural featuring local boxers from the Immaculata Amateur Boxing Club (on the nearby Albert Road); in the distant mural, Muhammad Ali.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00381 danny sweetpea martin paul beaver ryan frank coco paddy rogie

Reinterpretation

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2014-02-02 CheckSuicde+

The graffiti at the Royal (corner of Grosvenor Road) featured previously has drawn a parallel comment (from the CIRA?). Republican participation in the peace process is described as “suic[i]de” as “British rule!” is still intact.

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Strong Man

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2014-01-16 LondonStStrength+

“Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow.” A “Willowfield community” strong man lifts a barbell of “friends” and “family” as he gets in shape. Below, a “Jesus” tag and a wide shot of both pieces, at the top of London Road.

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Copyright © 2014 Extramural Activity
X01632 X01633 X01634 Willowfield Parish Community Association, habakkuk, raven

No Alternative

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2014-02-08 SinnFeinOut+

“Sinn Fein Out” – graffiti on the Ballysillan Road, directed at Catherine Seeley, a (Catholic) teacher at the (Protestant) Boys’ Model, and who recently became a Sinn Féin councillor in Craigavon. Seely has now quit her job. (Newsletter | Tele | BBC-NI). Previously: Our Wee Country (3)

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