bible/cross/crown/ladder

The Shankill Arch 2024

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“This arch was erected in memory of Bro. William (Belter) Bell, LOL 633. It has been kindly donated by the Bell family circle. 14th June 2024”

Speeches at the launch (youtube) note that the arch was not displayed during the Troubles (News Letter (paywall) says mid-60s), and was stored on the roofs of nearby shops for the sixty years since. Businessman Ian Bell (of video gaming companies Slightly Mad (WP | Belfast Live) and Straight4) is also specified as the main sponsor of the arch’s restoration, in memory of his father, who died on June 7th, 2008.

See also: the arch in Denmark Street (lower Shankill) in 2022 and 2023.

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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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DUP Sellout

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TUV (Traditional Unionist Voice) has put up placards attacking the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) – including outside the office of DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson – in response to the possibility that the DUP might re-enter Stormont – which has been defunct now for two years – and implement the NI Protocol (BBC | BelTel).

It hasn’t happened yet, but a combination of public dissatisfaction concerning inaction over strikes by transport workers on December 22 and a general strike planned for January 18 (ITv)) and a financial package for pay awards are keeping the pressure on (Shropshire Star).

For the Orange symbols above, see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever; for Psalm 95 see We Are The People; for the Lamentations, see אי כניעה (“No surrender” in Hebrew).

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Welcome To Loyalist Tiger’s Bay

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The flags of the four “home nations” fly above an arch in Tiger’s Bay, with a “Brexit” Union flag. Previously the tarp read “Welcome To North Belfast” (see M05014).

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Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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We Are The People

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“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (Psalm 95:7). Glasgow Rangers – the team of the chosen people of Northern Ireland – returned to winning ways by securing the League championship for a record 55th time (see We’re Back | F*ck Your Ten In A Row | Respect, Heritage, Culture).

The previous Biblical reference in the apex was Rev 18:4 – see Brits Out! For 2 Chronicles 7:14 see If I Send Pestilence. For the Orange symbols on the left (and Gen 38:28), see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ballymacarrett Orange Hall

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Home to Ballymacarrett District LOL No. 6, Junior LOL District No 3, RAPC District No 6, RBDC No 4 District, Women’s District LOL No 2.

Seen in 2012 in Flags Flying.

Albertbridge Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Rev Robert Bradford

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South Belfast MP Robert Bradford was assassinated by the Provisional IRA in Finaghy at a meeting with constituents; the caretaker of the community centre, Ken Campbell, was also killed by the fleeing attackers. In late 1981, with the hunger strikes having ended only a month before, the killing was noted around the world and raised fears of broad civil unrest (BBC | NYTimes).

“Vita, veritas, victoria” [life, truth, victory] is the motto of Londonderry. Here we have “vita, veritas, victa” [life, truth, conquered; perhaps the intended meaning was “conquering” rather than the passive]. The crest is also not quite the crest of the Apprentice Boys, with a ship in the bottom right rather than a skeleton. Get in touch if you can resolve either discrepancy.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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