internet/social media

United’s Big Lily

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“Big Lily” is a giant (~40′ x 30′) Manchester United flag created by Whitehead man Keith Norris in 1999 as a gesture of friendship towards a fellow United fan from Belfast from the ‘other side’, Martin ‘Faceman’ Cleary. It has subsequently travelled the world – the flags shown are of Catalonia, Japan, Australia, England, the United States, Italy, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Scotland, Russia, Brazil, Spain – uniting United fans and being used to raise funds for anti-racism charity Kick It Out and Unicef. The mural is situated in no-man’s land on Northumberland Street and features the Orange lily of unionism and the Easter lily of nationalism. (Carrickfergus Times | Belfast Live | SignBigLily.com)

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X06833 Marty Lyons Global flag of friendship. United’s Big Lily. Manchester United FC, Stretford end on tour

Gateway To West Belfast

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Fáilte Feirste Thiar‘s second mural (the first is outside its offices in the middle Falls – see Go West) reinforces the claim that (republican) west Belfast begins as soon as you cross the motorway, five minutes’ walk from the city centre. Coiste’s tour of republican murals begins at Divis Tower and the new mural already seems to be drawing tourists – see the final image, below. The previous Coiste mural (M04900) has been deleted and incorporated into the mural, promising touraists “a unique walking tour by former political prisoners”.

The mural is a mix of landmarks – the new Raidió Fáilte building (which is located just below the mural), Divis tower, St Peter’s, Conway Mill, the so-called “international wall” of murals, the Bobby Sands mural, the Falls library, the new James Connolly centre, Cultúrlann, and Milltown cemetery – cultural images (Irish dancing and Féile An Phobail) – and sporting images (clubs include Immaculata ABC, Gort Na Móna GAC, St Paul’s GAC). A gay pride ‘rainbow’ stripe runs below the Divis Street portion. Before the previous mural was painted (M07533), there was a Gateway To Belfast board at this spot.
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X06650 X06649 X06653 [X06651] Marty Lyons Micky Doherty

Timeless Memorials

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Discounts on hand-held and full-size Tricolours “in memory of all of those who have given their lives in the cause of Irish freedom” from the Milltown engravers – next to the Kurdish barbers – on the Falls Road.
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X06515 [X06516]

Not Politically Correct

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Former TUV but now independent Councillor Jolene Bunting (web) was elected from the Court district in west Belfast in 2014. Her 2019 campaign posters (seen here around Lanark Way and Shankill Road) have drawn criticism (NewsLetter) – in addition to those shown here are “Put veterans before immigrants” and “Local homes for local people”. Her appeal against a 4-month suspension for anti-Islamic remarks was rejected last week, despite her claim that elected representatives have enhanced freedom of speech (Irish Times).
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Stand By The Republic

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“Stand by the republic – Stormount [sic] has not delivered; no new jobs; wages & benefit cut; massive housing crisis; fight for jobs; resist all cuts; join the IRSP.” The board is from the Irish Republican Socialist Party (Fb); in the background is the repainted version of The Runner, including portraits of Manus Deery and Charles Love and a plaque to Love.
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Go West!

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As you head west along Falls Road, you will pass by the three landmark buildings depicted in the mural above: Clonard Monastery, Cultúrlann McAdam-Ó Fiaich (opposite this mural and the offices of Fáilte Feirste Thiar), and the entrance to Milltown Cemetery at the edge of Andersonstown. For the parts of the mural in Brighton Street, see The Conlan Revolution and Fáilte Feirste Thiar.
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text: X06338 X06341 brighton st marty lyons mickey doherty

Tony Taylor Free

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Republican prisoner Tony Taylor was released yesterday (November 28th) after 933 days in prison (BBC-NI | BelTel); for Taylor’s history in and out of prison, see Free Tony Taylor. As a result, two of the boards at the junction of William Street and Chamberlain Street will be out of date (see the wide shot, below).
In the image above, Taylor’s case is joined by that of Luke O’Neill. O’Neill is charged with attempting to kill police officers and fears for his safety in a mixed unit of Maghaberry, separated from republican prisoners in Roe House (Bel Tel).
The other board (second image, below) is for Saoradh’s youth organisation, Éistigí. The Facebook page does not appear to be publicly visible; there is a page for Junior McDaid House in which both Saoradh (tw) and Éistigí have offices.
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Yes For Unity

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The IRSP last month (September, 2018) launched a campaign on Facebook, youtube, and twitter to poll various districts on the question of a border poll. “Unity referendum now! British occupation has been a disaster for the people of Ireland. A united Ireland is the way forward for all the people of Ireland.” The one above is on the fence around the North Queen Street play park; the one below (“88% of Divis people”) is below Divis tower.
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West Belfast Waiting For A Home

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Here is another PPR/#buildhomesnow stencil on the issue of affordable housing in Belfast. The sites suggested in this piece are the old Mackies factory off the Springfield Road (demolished in 2003) and Glenmonagh (west of the Monagh by-pass).
For the suggestion of Hillview as a site, see Homes!!! and Lidl On Quality. For a fuller list of sites, see Build Homes Now. See also Equality Can’t Wait
Replaces the COYBIG mural for Euro 2016.
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Equality Can’t Wait

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2017 update on the 2016 #BuildHomesNow stencil in the New Lodge from the PPRProject, detailing the shortage of housing. “Waiting for a home: 2458. Homes built: 112”.
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