Amnesty

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Dollar bills spew from the exhaust pipes of bulldozers driven by cigar-smoking financiers as they bear down on a chain of protesters in this Amnesty International board at the corner of Northumberland and Beverley Streets.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00923 end forced evictions, demand dignity, justice, hope, homes, rights, security, join amnesty and take action for human rights worldwide http://www.amnesty.org.uk/join

True Blue

2013-02-07 RWBKerb+

A pedestrian’s gutties (sneakers) and jacket match the red, white and blue of the kerbstones on The Fountain, a street at the heart of the Fountain, a Protestant enclave on the west side of the Foyle in Londonderry

Kerb painting has largely ceased in Belfast (there might have been some kind of unofficial agreement circa the Good Friday agreement (WP) to phase it out through non-renewal of existing painted kerbs – please dis/confirm in the comments if you can) but the ancient practice is still alive and well in The Fountain.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Fourteen Flags

2013-02-01 14Flags+

Fourteen Union jacks stencilled on the wall just above the (upper/Shankill Road side) security gates on Northumberland St.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Our Flag Was Still There

2013-02-05 HightownRdFlag+

A tattered Union Flag on the Hightown Road/Bóthar Bhaile na hAirde in Glengormley/Gleann Gormliath (just north of Belfast). The title comes from the U.S. anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”: “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” (WP).

Previously on Extramural Activity: Shankill Rd flag and barbed wire.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Scotch-Irish Of My Native Virginia

“If defeated everywhere else I will make my final stand for liberty with the Scotch-Irish (Ulster-Scots) of my native Virginia.” George Washington commanded the Continental Army during the revolution and served as the first president of the United States beginning in 1789. His ancestry was English and the quote is undocumented, the closest being this statement from McKinley. The note in the corner reads “History records that almost half of Washington’s army were Ulster-Scots”; the basis for this claim might be General (Charles?) Lee’s report that “half the rebel Continental Army were from Ireland.” (See Chapter 2 of Bagenal, The American Irish and their Influence on Irish Politics.)

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01548

For Club And Country

2013-02-01 LinfieldSC+

Sport and politics intersect in this mural at the junction of Broadway and Donegall Avenue in south Belfast. Northern Irish flags provide a backdrop for the shields of Linfield football club and the Northern Ireland football association.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00926 proud supporters LFC irish football association

The Keeper

In an alley running between the backs of houses off Lord Street, the paint-ghost of a child ‘keeper tends goal. Wide shot below …

2013-01-27 KeeperWide+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ulster’s Past Defenders

The “Ulsters Past Defenders” mural has been completely repainted though with a similar layout as before: UDR on the left, USC/ B-Specials on the right, but now with the USC emblem joining the UDR’s in the centre.

“Formed in 1970, the Ulster Defence Reg. was an infrantry [sic] regiment of the British army intended to carry out security duties in NI. It was later disbanded in 1992. A total of 197 members were killed through the troubles”

“This is dedicated to those who served in our conflict – we forget not”

“Formed in 1920, the Ulster Special Constabulary had been set up taking action against the IRA. It was divided into three categories A, B, and C specials. Later in 1970 they were disbanded. Then the UDR replaced them.”

Newtownards Rd, east Belfast.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01546

Feriens Tego

2013-02-05 LordStRight+

“Striking, I Defend.” UDA murals in Lord Street, below the Albertbridge Road, accented by Union jacks (and, as can be seen in the wide shot, below, a pair of silver bells). The mural in the background of the wide shot is featured in All Gave Some.

2013-01-28 FeriensTego+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00912 X00933 LPA UDA UFF UYM edith street est. 1973 free our prisoners

An Ulster Christmas

2013-01-24 UlsterChristmas+

Christmas decorations can still be found on poles around Belfast in late January. In some cases, as here, they are joined by Union flags.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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