“Uniting our community to support our community. Thank you NHS & essential workers”. The ‘Lower North Belfast Action Group’ was formed in April this year in response to the pandemic. Based on the “Groups/Areas” involved, ‘lower’ means the area along the lough up as far the White City and Loughview.
Filming for season six of the BBC police drama Line Of Duty has been taking place in various Belfast locations over the last few weeks. Enniskillen native Adrian Dunbar plays Superintendent Ted Hastings, who likewise has a background in the north, and, although now working (somewhere!) in the English midlands occasionally uses various expressions from home such as “I didn’t float up the Lagan in a bubble” (meaning “I wasn’t born yesterday” or “I’m no fool”), “Now we’re sucking diesel” (“motoring along” or “doing well”), and today’s title (an expression of shock).
The mural is by Waterford artist Caoilfhionn Hanton (web | ig | Fb) in Kent Street for HTN 2020.
It is 15 weeks since Noah Donohoe left home heading for Cave Hill only to end up dead in a north Belfast storm drain. Support for his mother Fiona and the #RememberMyNoah campaign has been widespread, including this tarp in Carrick Hill.
“Alas, poor Yorick.” As much as we try to ignore it, death haunts us always. This new piece by JMK (tw) for HTN 2020 will help passers-by on Kent Street keep the proper perspective.
Paul, sounding like a Stoic, encourages people to be content no matter what the circumstances. “‘I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me’ – Philippians 4:13” Thanks to an anonymous model in Wilson Street for letting us take a photo of his t-shirt.
“Socialism is neither Protestant nor Catholic, Christian nor Freethinker, Buddhist, Mahometan, nor Jews [sic]. It is only human. We of the Socialist working class realise that as we suffer together we must work together that we may enjoy together. We reject the firebrand of capitalist warfare and offer you the olive leaf of brotherhood and justice to and for all.” From part 6 of Connolly’s Labour, Nationality And Religion in 1910. The mural is in Beechview Park, across the street from Áras Uí Chonghaile/James Connolly Visitor Centre.
East Belfast GAA (tw | Fb) was set up at the end of May, with Linda Ervine as club president (video | Irish Times). The ladies football team recorded the club’s first win, on August 16th, with the hurlers winning on September 3rd, and the camógs on September 19th. The emblem (here shown in somewhat blurred stitching) includes a (black) Ulster hand flanked by shamrock and thistle, over Samson and Goliath (the Harland & Wolff cranes) and “together” as Gaeılge, in English, and in Ulstèr-Scots.
In one of her guises as a crow or raven, the goddess of war Morrígan would fly over the battlefield, inspiring warriors to heroic deeds or sometimes picking out those who were to fall (including Cú Chulaınn). Work by Friz (tw | ig) for HTN 2020 called ‘Got You In My Sights’.
Dublin artist Aches (ig) was in town for HTN last week, working on a large wall in Kent Street car park, above the North Street bingo hall. The model is Stephen Considine from BipolarBear Wear (web | ig) which sells gear to raise money for mental health charities.
Mickey Mouse and the All-Seeing Eye. “We interrupt this broadcast with some fear [and] lies. Don’t touch that dial.” Work by Glen Molloy (Fb) for HTN 2020 in Kent Street.