electoral

God Bless Paisley, Fitt Never

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2015-02-22 GodBlessPaisley+

Gardiner Street graffiti: “God Bless Paisley, Fitt Never.” The graffiti is more than 40 years old, dating to 1969 or earlier (it appears in the Sunday Times magazine 1969-03-23). In 1971, Ian Paisley founded the DUP (in September) and had supplanted Terence O’Neill as the leading unionist politician. Gerry Fitt at that time had recently formed the SDLP and would represent West Belfast under that affiliation in 1974 and 1979 until Gerry Adams won the seat in 1983. The Northern Ireland Assembly was still sitting.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02530 democratic unionist party social democratic labour party protestant union

SDLP = NCA

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2015-03-09 SDLP+

Graffiti on the wall outside the Royal Victoria Hospital equates the SDLP with the NCA (below) and renames the it the “Security Directed Labour Party” (above). The National Crime Agency, launched in October 2013 as a “UK FBI” is limited in Northern Ireland to border and customs functions (WP). The dispute between the political parties concerns oversight of the NCA. In England and Wales it is overseen by parliament and there is no local oversight, which worries nationalists. After many months of negotiation, the SDLP in February supported a motion to consent to full introduction of the NCA; Republicans objected on the grounds that the body might become an arm of MI5 (BelTel).

Previously in the same location: Check

2015-03-09 SDLP=NCA+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02544 X02545

Take It Down From The Mast

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-11-10 FlashTraitor+

“Take It Down From The Mast” is a song accusing pro-treaty forces (at the time of the Irish Civil War) of being unworthy to fly the Irish tricolour (WP). Someone in west Belfast feels the same way about “Flash”, Sınn Féın councillor Jim McVeigh, who tried asked for a Tricolour flying at a Springfield Road Council dump to be removed in October (2014), and calls him an “Irish traitor”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02356 Malcolmson Street Sráıd Mhıc Mhaolcholaım Jim McVeigh Sınn Féın

FreshPolitics

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-04-26 TinaNI21-3+

The pro-Union NI21 party was founded in June of last year (2013) and is contesting council and European elections today. Above is an Irish-language hoarding in support of Europe candidate Tina McKenzie who hails from republican west Belfast. “Is é seo #freshpolitics. Vótáıl McKenzie 1 do Eoraıp” – “This is #freshpolitics. Vote McKenzie 1 for Europe.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03001

I Trust I Can Rely On Your Vote

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-04-09 EirigiHugo+

More electioneering, this time by éirígí on a wall in Hugo Street: “Votáıl éırígí #1 – Pádraıc Mac Coıtır – Máıre Drumm”. As shown below, this piece is next to the Ciarán Mulhullond piece featured previously: Think Independently.

See also: The Only Secure Community Is An Organised One.

2014-04-09 EirigiHugoWide+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01768 X01769

The Only Secure Community Is An Organised One

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-04-13 DohertyPhoenix+

“RNU in west Belfast are today leading the way in combating anti-social behavior [sic], reclaiming republican values, fighting the benefits cuts, tackling the increased drug problem, exposing the slum landlords, rebuilding community pride.”  RNU [Republican Network for Unity (Xitter)] stencil on Northumberland Street. Tommy Doherty (leaflet) is running in the local council elections taking place on May 22nd.

The phoenix portion of the mural was featured previously: Out Of The Flames.

Campaign video on youtube …

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01770 vote candidate lower falls court ward community political activist

Think Independently

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-04-03 MulhollandHugo+

Electioneering is under way in Northern Ireland, ahead of the local and European parliament elections on May 22nd. Above is a stencil in Hugo Street drumming up support for independent (socialist) Ciarán Mulholland. “Think independently, vote independent. Neamhspleách/Independent candidate for the black mountain ward. The political parties have failed the people of west Belfast. Have your say and change things.”

Replaces the Bleeding Poppy

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01760

On The Hall’s Walls

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-02-24 ODonghailleFull+

Each Lord Mayor of Belfast has an official portrait which hangs in Belfast City Hall. 2011-2012 Lord Mayor Nıall Ó Donnghaıle’s takes the unusual form of a mini-mural, in the shape of a gable wall and complete with mortar lines. The portrait features a “Short Strand” street-plate (Ó Donnghaıle is from there), images of Titanic, James Connolly – a portrait was mounted at a SIPTU event in the mayor’s chambers in October 2011, after pictures of the royal family had been removed in June, protesters, and an MTV mug. The artist talks about the piece on Slugger (audio) and CultureNI has a good write-up about the process.

Below are a detail from Ó Donnghaıle’s portrait and the more typical portrait of Tom Hartley, Lord Mayor 2008-2009, which includes the bicycle he is famous for riding around town.

2014-02-24 ODonghailleClose+

2014-03-10 Hartley+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01701 X01702 X01730

Caırde Sınn Féın

Extramural Activity1 Comment
2014-02-24 ConwayCairde+

Above is the second of three 2013 murals sponsored by Australian groups outside the Republican Museum in Conway Street. This one shows members of the main sponsoring group, Caırde Sınn Féın (Fb).

Previously: Australian Aid

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01700

No Vote, No Voice

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
2014-01-22 NoVote+

“No vote, no voice” and “Vote Unionist”. Here are two pieces of loyalist graffiti concerned with (as they see it) under-representation in the political process. The first is at the corner of Springmartin Road and Ballygomartin Road (“Bobby Sands died 4 fuck all” can be seen underneath). The second is on the Forthriver Road at the Glencairn Day Centre.

2014-01-22 VoteUnionist+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01639 X01641