Loyalist In Lockdown

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, people celebrating the Twelfth yesterday were encouraged to maintain physical distance from others by staying in their gardens as the bands marched by. Homeowners decorated their properties (perhaps using these Twelfth At Home packs in Lurgan). Here is video from the Belfast Telegraph of yesterday’s marches.

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Battle Of The Bug

Flags are flying in east Belfast in preparation for this year’s marching season (and the 75th anniversary of VE Day. All seems normal but the coronavirus epidemic has meant the cancellation of many parades for this year’s Twelfth (which will be celebrated on Monday, the 13th) and a social media campaign to get people to stay at their homes and “let the band come to you” (Newsletter | Irish Times | BBC).

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Location, Location, Location

The lower part of Hogarth Street (in Tiger’s Bay) was demolished almost a decade ago and the 20 new houses are almost completed. The homes are being built by Apex Housing Association, which says that “The houses will be modern, functional and attractive; and with public transport links, community and shopping facilities all on your doorstep, the location of Hogarth Street is ideal.” Not so ideal for taigs, though: In case the painted kerb-stones and Ulster Banners weren’t sufficient to get the message across to any Catholics who were thinking of moving in, the graffiti on the left of the street makes it clear that the area is solidly loyalist. It was washed over in reddish paint a few days later.

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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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If I Send Pestilence

Some communities, because of their previous piety, have the ear of the Lord, and need only pray when the Lord sends drought or locusts or pestilence in order to be granted relief (2 Chronicles 7: 14). This mural suggests that the people of Tiger’s Bay are one such people, but that they need to start praying if they want to be freed from the Coronavirus.

Biblical reference on the wall: Rev 18:4 | John 15:13 | Gen 38:28 | Luke 1:31-33 & 2 Sam 7:16

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A Cat May Look At A King

… while a dog may look away from a queen, and she from it. Ornaments to a Woodvale back garden, where giant poppies grow.

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Not Playing Ball

“We will never accept a united Ireland” – unionist graffiti at the Springfield Road pedestrian entrance into Highfield.

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Argyle Street, Ulster

Argyle Street, Ulster, next to the locally-named Thiepval Street and Passchendaele Court.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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EU/PIRA

“Dublin hands off Ulster – EU/PIRA”. For this Agnes Street graffitist, the EU’s refusal to accept a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic make it bedfellows with the IRA.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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End The Siege Of Ardoyne

“End the seige [sic] of Ardoyne. RIRA” – vintage graffiti going back to 2014 (at least) and perhaps to the tensions over parading in 2012 and 2013.

Oldpark Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Concerned Unionists

“Public meeting. Concerned unionists of south Belfast. Wednesday 6th November 7.15 pm Sandy Row Orange Hall. Stop the #BetrayalAct”. Tonight will see a meeting in south Belfast (and another at the same time in Antrim) discussing the current Conservative Brexit plan that would allow some cross-border economic activity to continue – see The Betrayal Act. “VTOT” is “Village Team On Tour“.

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Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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