political

The Relief Of Londonderry

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2013-02-09 ReliefOfDerry+

“Derry” became “Londonderry” in 1613, but in 1689 at the time of the siege, as now, it was commonly referred to as “Derry”. The slogan of the defenders was “No Surrender” and the successful resistance to penetration gave rise to the epithet “The Maiden City” (WP).

Pictures of the unveiling of the plaque in 2009, which commemorates William Love, can be seen here.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00941 William Love 1908-1966 composer of flute band music was born near this spot; william attended cathedral school and worshipped in St. columb’s cathedral he played with the maiden city flute band churchill flute band and the hamilton flute band among his many compositions are senior service, stop in style, hale and hearty, cross and crown, and moore st. erected as a project of the maiden city festival aug. 2000

Banned

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2013-02-12 SRowPostboxFlyerCrop+

A letterbox on Sandy Row bearing a flyer describing rallies protesting the decision not to fly the Union flag every day at Belfast City Hall, which will (apparently) lead to a future where Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams and a masked paramilitary rule like Queen Victoria (who, as we know, was also Queen of Ireland, Empress of India). For some background info, see The Essentials | And so This is Christmas; and for graffiti on the matter, Let Your Union Flag Fly.

 A previous letterbox: Letters Only.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00945 Do you want this as your future support our protest in sandy row at boyne bridge every friday night 6pm – 7pm don’t be the generation to fail ulster a shared future for who? then every saturday at kfc, the square meet 12.30 pm for a protest at the city hall from 1pm to 2pm no surrender

Out Of The Rubble

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The Covenant and Somme boards originally on the corner of Barrington Gardens before demolition (see July 1st) have been mounted together on a metal frame inside the security gates.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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True Blue

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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

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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

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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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An Ulster Christmas

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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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Let Your Union Fly Flag

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2013-01-24 FlyTheFlag+

Graffiti in east Belfast concerning the on-going dispute over the union flag on Belfast City Hall: Be proud to fly your flag. No surrender!

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00906

The Queen’s Golden Jubilee

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Lord Street mural the ERII’s golden (50th) jubilee in 2002. The Beaconsfield Arms is on the left (perhaps the name of the Cock & Hens in 1952) and the previous Ledley Hall school (now Ledley Hall youth club) is on the right.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01544

Cultural Apartheid

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2013-01-17 CulturalApartheid+

North Belfast Against Cultural Apartheid. Mount Vernon in the rain, January 17th, 2013. (Previously: Mount Vernon Welcome You)

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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