PUL

I Am Not Resilient

Extramural Activity2 Comments
03074 2015-10-01 Resilient+

The lower Shankill estate has been re-imaged (again). The history of re-imaging in the lower Shankill is told by the new piece at Boundary Way: the wall first sported a mural critiquing Sinn Féin’s role in the peace process (see this 2004 image) before being replaced around 2007 by a mural celebrating Andrew Jackson’s Ulster-Scots heritage (see X00285). The new work sends a mixed message: the word “resilient” is in large letters and is the title of the piece, but the quote reads “Stop calling me “resilient”. Because every time you say “Oh, they’re resilient,” that means you can do something else to me. I am not resilient.” The quote would seem to be by Tracie Washington (not: Tracie Jackson) of the Louisiana Justice Institute. The left-hand side wall, which read “UDA Est. 1971” was painted over. For a description of the launch, see this Housing Executive report. Five printed pieces (four of them new this year) have replaced various murals in the area.

03075 2015-10-01 Resilient info+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03074 X03075 The title of this artwork reflects a slogan used internationally, where social and political change has been paramount. It is understood that such change emerges only through true and thorough consultation with the community and that is the wish of residents of the Lower Shankill – to affect social change and move forward through collaboration with decision makers and government, at every level. Artist Lesley Cherry worked with members of the Lower Shankill Community Association who felt that this slogan best described how they are feeling as a community in relation to social change, redevelopment, education, housing and employment. They also felt that this slogan, best described their struggle in attaining what is best for their community, at present and also, how it can shape their future. This artwork was funded by the Housing Executive, working in partnership with the Lower Shankill Community Association. The artwork replaces a mural of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States of America, whose family originated from Carrickfergus and a mural commenting on the Northern Irish Peace Process. effect

Waterside, Cityside, Quayside

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
02872 2015-08-26 SperrinPkFilm+

The Peace Bridge is shown spanning the Foyle between (the former) Ebrington barracks and the Guildhall, with a film-strip of images, many depicting naval and military scenes, above and below. The detail below shows a gap in the walls of Derry, a poster encouraging people to “Join the Wrens [and free a man for the fleet]” (the Women’s Royal Naval Service; see the poster at IWM), soldiers playing ping-pong in their barracks, and the ship’s bell of the HMS Londonderry (which served as a training ship during the Falkland War (WP)).

02873 2015-08-26 SperrinPkFilmDetail+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02872 X02873 project funded reimaging communities programme supported by shared communities consortium lottery housing executive social development first minister deputy international fund for ireland derry londonderry doire

Have They Gone Away?

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
03089 2015-10-04 Welcome To Loyalist Lower Shankill+

The South Belfast UDA this week issued a statement that they “won’t be leaving any stage whilst republicans of any faction still exist”. As the Newsletter article notes, the South Belfast branch of the UDA does not speak for the whole organization. Until confirmed, then, the new mural above – “Welcome to the loyalist Lower Shankill – UDA 2nd Batt. C. Coy” – provides only circumstantial evidence …

Elsewhere: Join the South East Antrim UDA: Glenfield Community Association.

Update (2015-10-16): Similar statement from “IRA commanders” BelfastLive | Irish Mirror

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
quis separabit UFF UYM X03089

Always Remembered

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
02773 2015-08-17 NorthDownUFF+

UFF/UDA/UYM (North Down, 2nd battalion, D company) memorial mural in Bloomfield estate, Bangor, to Andrew McIlvenny and Roy Officer, with hooded gunmen on a bed of poppies flanking the UFF clenched fist.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02773 terrae filius quis separabit

Three-In-One

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
02792 2015-08-20 HolywoodUDAUFFUYM+

This trio of Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Freedom Fighters, and Ulster Young Militants boards are in Holywood, County Down. The overtly paramilitary UFF acts as the link between the others, in that the UDA and UYM emblems appear in miniature alongside its own. The UFF slogan “Ferriens tego” is missing from its board. The local troop is the North Down 2nd Batt. D Coy.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02792 quis separabit terrae filius

The Picture Of Death

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
02813 2015-08-24 HawkinStBoard+

The coat of arms of Londonderry involves “the picture of death (or a skeleton) on a mossy stone & in the dexter point a castle” below the arms of the city of London. It is here joined by the flags of Britain, Scotland, and the crimson of the Apprentice Boys, as well as two cannons from the walls of Derry. The board above is in Hawkin Street, above “UDA” (“Ulster Defence Association”) and “KAT” (“Kill All Taigs”) graffiti.

Previously: Vita, Veritas, Victoria

02814 2015-08-24 HawkinStBoardWide+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02813 X02814 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 siege

How Nobly They Fight And Die

Extramural Activity4 Comments
03023 2015-09-04 How Nobly d+

Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) division in the trenches of WWI prepare to go ‘over the top’. One waits for the precise moment according to his watch, ready to fire a shot, while the other prepares to blow a whistle and launch a flare. “‘Throughout the long years of struggle, the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die.’ King George V”. The quote also appears on the Ulster Tower in Thiepval (Ulster Tower) and on the Cenotaph in Belfast (WP).

03022 2015-09-04 How Nobly+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03023 X03022 flanders somme uvf ycv

In A Foreign Land

Extramural Activity1 Comment
02865 2015-08-26 LindsayMooneyMem+

The [Sergeant] Lindsay Mooney Memorial Flute Band was formed in 1973 after the St. Patrick’s day death of Lindsay Mooney, a UDA member killed by the premature explosion of a bomb near Lifford, County Donegal (Sutton). The band dissolved in 1993 but commemorative nights are still held (NI World).

The board above is in the Lincoln Court area of Londonderry, from where Mooney and the band both hailed. “To those of us who criticise, to those who cannot see, just remember in a foreign land fell a better man than me.”

The Ballad Of Lindsay Mooney: youtube | lyrics

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02865 sergeant

Trains, Planes, And Cranes

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
02796 2015-08-21 NurseryH&W+

A view of east Belfast from the perspective of the children in a nursery school in Beechfield and Westbourne Streets: the modes of modern travel, including the Seacat, and a long-standing symbol of industry, the ever-present H&W crane.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02796 car bus houses sky clouds coloured railings harland and wolff

1st July 1916

Extramural Activity2 Comments
02781 2015-08-20 1stJuly1916Detail+

The Battle Of The Somme – named after a French river – began on July 1st, 1916 and went on until the 18th of November. In those four and half months more than one million soldiers were killed or wounded, including, on July 1st alone, about 60,000 British troops. The 36th (Ulster) Division, on the left flank, pushed ahead of other units and found itself unsupported; 5,240 of its soldiers died.

02782 2015-08-20 1stJuly1916Full+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02783 X02782