physical force

Keep On Praying

Extramural Activity2 Comments

“Ar an 9ú Iúıl 1972 maraíodh Margaret Gargan 13 blıana d’aoıs, David McCafferty 15 d’aoıs, John Dougal 16 d’aoıs, Paddy Butler fear pósta le 6 claınne aıge agus sagaırt áıtiúıl an tAthaır Noel Fitzpatrick, scaoılt ag Arm na Breataıne. B’as Clós Adhmaıd Corry’s sa cheantar Springhill/Westrock a bhí na saıghdıúrí ag feıdhmıú.” “‘And I’ll keep on praying for Ireland/The way I pray for you’ – from the poem “The Springhill Massacre” by Martin Dudley”. The new plaque was launched on July 9th, 2019 by Dudley and Brian Pettigrew, both of whom were wounded in the attack. Here is a gallery of images from the launch from Relatives For Justice.

For the board to the left, see Springhill-Westrock Massacre.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07273 [X07272] [X07271] X07270 Springhill Dr

Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus

Extramural Activity1 Comment

“Pro tanto quid retribuamus” [What shall we give in return for so much] is the motto of Belfast, included in the coat of arms shown above and newly appropriate in the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family. Together fighting Covid-19.” The banner is on the Clifton Street hall; King William III bestrides his horse and the horse bestrides the building.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07244 X07245

Speak Friend And Open

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A gate was installed in the Alexandra Park “peace” line in 2011 (see this image from that year) which is opened daily to allow pedestrian traffic between Mountcollyer and Newington. During the pandemic, however, the gate has been closed for weeks and there is confusion over the reason  – originally it was said to be due to staffing issues but anti-social behaviour has also been mentioned (Irish News).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
X07169 X07168

Justice For Ian Ogle

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Ian Ogle (“Big O”) was standing at this spot (Cluan Place and Albertbridge Road) on the night of January 27th, 2019, when he was assaulted and stabbed by a gang of men. Three UVF members have been charged with his death though the UVF say the killing was not sanctioned (Sunday Life). The family continue to campaign for a safer east Belfast (BelTel).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
X07177 X07175 [X07181] X07179 X07178 X07176 X07182 X07180

Political Police State

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Political police state” graffiti on the abandoned Carnegie Oldpark library.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07187

The Relief Of Derry

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Siege Of Derry began in June 1689 when King James II was rebuffed with cries of “No surrender!” It lasted 105 days, during which about half of the townspeople died. Part of the siege equipment was a boom placed across the River Foyle about halfway between Derry and Culmore. Five ships took part in ending the siege. Shown in this new Tullyally mural (by Glen Molloy) is the Dartmouth, which attacked the shoreline besiegers at Culmore so that three small ships could bring in provisions – the Mountjoy and Phoenix approaching the boom and the Jerusalem hanging back until success was assured. They were accompanied by a longboat from the Swallow, filled with sailors who with “hatchets and cutlasses” were “hewing and hacking away at the boom” (Witherow at Library Ireland) so that it could be broken by Mountjoy.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
X07159 X07156 [X07157] [X07158] [X07160] [X07161] Stevenson Park vita veritas victoria

In The Pocket Of Sınn Féın

Extramural Activity1 Comment

The Sınn Féın logo takes the place of the PSNI service badge (which already contains a harp and a shamrock) on the cap of a PSNI officer. “Police Service Of Northern Ireland – destroying the loyalist community since 4th nov. 2001. In the pocket of Sinn Fein [sic]”. 

For the board below, see Graduated Response; for the hooded UVF gunman, see Progression Requires Inclusion.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
X07116 X07117 Davys St, Carrickfergus

Pray For Us

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A home-made sign on cardboard “NHS – stay safe” has been attached to the mural to IRA volunteers Bobby McCrudden, Mundo O’Rawe, and Pearse Jordan, and the wall below it painted with the message “Stay home – Protect the NHS – Save lives”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
X07048 X07049 [X07050] X07095 [X07094] [X07749] Divismore Way

The Landing Of SARS-CoV-2 At Carrickfergus, March 2020

Extramural Activity1 Comment

As he begins his trek around Ireland to vanquish the forces of James II, King William III wears a mask to protect himself from the novel coronavirus.

The title of today’s post is based on the old Bobby Jackson mural The Landing Of William III At Carrickfergus June 1690, itself based on a popular postcard.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle
X07046

Murdered By Cowards

Extramural Activity1 Comment

The “cowards” in this case are the members of the UDA who killed Rockett in front of his girlfriend and 18 month old child in an attack on her house in the lower Oldpark, during the feud between the UVF and UDA, sparked by Johnny Adair’s “loyalist day of culture” and removal of the UVF from the lower Shankill.

In response to the purge (and attacks on the Rex bar), the UVF killed Jackie Coulter (UDA) and Bobby Mahood (formerly of the UVF). Rockett was killed by the UDA in retaliation for Coulter’s death; 1,000 people attended Rockett’s funeral (Irish Times). The feud continued until mid-December (Mirror).

“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Samuel Rockett, ‘B’ Coy. 1st Belfast battalion, Young Citizens Volunteers. Murdered by cowards 23rd August 2000. ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him.'”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07012 X07013 X07011 Disraeli St