“North Belfast stands with Fiona [Donohoe]”. This is a shrine to Noah Donohoe and rallying post in the campaign for answers as to how he was found dead in a storm drain near Northwood Road six days after going missing.
The hashtags include #RememberMyNoah and #NoToPII (see No More PSNI Cover Ups).
Waterworks, north Belfast.
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Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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This is a mural of a painting of a mural of a mural. The original is the piece by Terry Bradley (web) and Friz (web) at the Titanic museum’s pub (see Dockers’ Rest), which was then reproduced in a different colour for the opening montage of the Kenneth Branagh film Belfast. The success of the film prompted the Department Of Justice to commission Bradley for a painting that could be turned into a mural and he reproduced the film version (BelTel). The mural that enlarges that painting was painted by DMC on Lanark Way, just above the security gates (Belfast Live).
“The dockers who feature in the painting are inspired by real characters and men Terry remembers walking home from the shipyard when he was a child. These hardworking men from Sailortown, Belfast, show a glimpse into the past of the shipyard pubs, where the men congregated after a hard day’s work.”
With support from R-City (web).
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“Be smart, don’t start” – taking drugs, that is. This is a recent mural on the Falls Road, Belfast, with nine panels that discourage youth from taking drugs, alternately by reminding them of their dangers (including death – “Drugs can thrill but they also kill.” “I’m dying to meet you.” “If you dance with the devil you remain in hell.” “Don’t let drugs ruin something beautiful.” “Don’t get trapped by drugs.”) and providing support in persevering through dark times (“There is always light beyond the darkness.”
“We all have a choice in life.” “Hugs not drugs.” “Always remember you’re never alone.” “Try to be leader not a follower.”)
With support from Belfast City Council, Divis Youth Project, Greater Falls Neighbourhood Partnership, Falls Partnership Initiative (Falls Residents).
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One goal of the voluntary group Larne Renovation Generation (Fb) is to bring “Main Street alive with community spirit in the evenings”. To this end, they are supporting various murals along the street, with this Irish dancer providing a bookmark at the eastern end on the side of the Silver Lounge Café (Fb).
By Visual Waste (web | ig), based on a photograph by Bernie McAllister of a dancer perhaps from the Lisa Dempsey school (Fb).
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Jim Donaghy was born in the Bonds area of the Waterside but when he joined the 10th (Derry) Battalion his family was living in Drumahoe. It was to there that he returned after seeing action at The Battle Of Albert in 1916, as well as the Battle of Messines, the Battle of Langemarck, the Cambrai Operations, and the Capture Of Bourlon Wood (Reserves & Cadets | Three Cheers For The Derrys).
“”I arrived in Larne on the ferry from Scotland and before I caught the train to Londonderry, I sent a telegram to my mother telling her I was on my way. When I arrived in Waterside Station, there was no one there to meet me so I started my long walk to Drumahoe. As I walked down Daly’s Brae in my uniform, someone must have spotted me in the distance. The bell of Clarke’s Mill at Drumahoe started to ring frantically to my mother that I was home. When I got home the house was filled with my friends, relations and neighbours. They were overjoyed.” – Jim was home – it was over at least. Cpl Jim Donaghy returning home from the First World War.”
“Cpl Jim Donaghy MBE, 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and his former family home 2 Fincairn Road, Drumahoe.” The mural is on the yard wall of the house, which still stands.
“In remembrance of all those who served at home and abroad.”
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Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Perhaps because of the Covid pandemic, this mural of UDA volunteers on parade reflected in the sunglasses of one of their comrades took months to complete (it was started in late 2020 and was still unfinished last summer). It replaces the previous “UFF Formed 1973” mural – see Northern Island.
The photograph reproduced is from the 1974 Ulster Workers’ Strike; it appeared on the cover of Don Anderson’s Fourteen May Days (CAIN).
Avoniel Road, east Belfast
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London street artist Irony (ig) drew on Edwin Landseer’s 1851 painting The Monarch Of The Glen (WP) for this piece of street art – fitting with its location as both near the Glen area of London-/Derry and formerly the old Scotch quarter (Derry Journal) – but updating it for contemporary audiences with an environmental message and the source of its less formal name: Stag With A Bag.
With support from London Calling (web).
Glenview Avenue, London-/Derry. Another large piece by Irony (in Belfast): Pearl.
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Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Another piece from London, related to the on-going Russian invasion of Ukraine. After appearing in the Washington Post (and elsewhere) the graffiti by London artist Memo has its own Instagram page where you can buy t-shirts bearing the slogan, with proceeds going to British-Ukrainian Aid.
At the junction of Church Road and Anerley Road, in Crystal Palace.
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Copyright © 2022 Peter Moloney
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This is the Keyworkers mural in front of the Shaftesbury recreation centre (web), created in August 2020 (Fb), in the first few months of the Coronavirus pandemic. A child wearing a mask is watering the rainbow of drivers, NHS, nurses, doctors, social care, community workers, volunteers, and shop workers that arches over the shops and buildings on the Ormeau Road along the Lagan and in front of the City hospital and City Hall.
Also on the rec centre: In The Paint
Balfour Avenue, Belfast
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This is an update to End The Sanctions! We’re Freezing, which has now been changed to “Sanctions only hurt ordinary people”, perhaps including the “ordinary people” of Russia alongside those of the New Lodge.
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Extramural Activity 