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No Profit On Pandemic

2021-05-102025-01-03Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A “European Citizens’ Initiative” allows for legislation to be put before the European Commission if one million signatures are collected supporting it (europa.eu). Signatures are being collected for a petition to ensure that EU-funded work on Covid-19 is shared worldwide by a group calling themselves “No Profit On Pandemic” and “Right2Cure” (web | tw). The mural takes the place of the vandalised George Floyd mural that was replaced with a place-holder reading “#BLM – back soon”.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Love Your Neighbour

2021-05-072025-01-03Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The water has turned into hand sanitiser outside St John’s Catholic church on the Falls Road, opposite the City Cemetery. Admission to services requires booking on-line in advance and wearing a face covering is “strongly recommended by Falls Pastoral Community”.

Goodbye To Bombs And Bullets

2021-04-212025-01-03Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“‘Here’s to better times ahead and saying goodbye to bombs and bullets once and for all’ – Lyra McKee 31st March 1990-18th April 2019”. Journalist Lyra McKee died on April 18th, 2019 while observing a riot in Creggan, Derry. Standing near a PSNI Land Rover, she was struck by a bullet fired towards police by a ‘New IRA’ gunman who has not been apprehended (WP). For the second anniversary of Lyra’s death the ‘Justice 4 Lyra’ campaign (web) has placed these hoardings all around the city; the three shown here are in Glendermott Road, Quayside, and William Street.

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Copyright © 2021 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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A Vision Of A Better Belfast

2021-04-072025-01-03Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This is the latest iteration of the “Build Homes Now” mural in Northumberland Street, with an update to the central panel. Previously it was a space for visitors to sign their names in support but now it is a quote from (presumably) someone living in temporary accommodation: “When you’re in a hostel for so long, it starts to feel like a jail. It’s just so irritating and frustrating.”

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Victory To The NHS

2021-03-302025-01-02Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Almond Drive [Twinbrook] supports front line workers.” “Victory to the NHS” in the fight against coronavirus and Covid-19, rather than “Victory to the Provos“.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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For Twinbrook

2021-03-292025-01-02Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

In 2019, images of Bobby Sands before his (second and final) arrest and imprisonment were rediscovered in the collection of French photographer Gérard Harlay. Sands was serving as a flag-bearer in an August 1976 march from the Busy Bee to Dunville Park to protest the withdrawal of political status. (For some of Harlay’s images, see Bobby Sands Trust.) This new mural in his home area of Twinbrook copies one of the images (though presents him as carrying a Tricolour rather than a harp) along with protesters protesting for “Public transport for Twinbrook now” and “Social housing for Twinbrook now”.

The Care Zone

2021-03-272025-01-02Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Together let’s value the experience and wisdom of older people in this community.” The Care Zone community initiative (web) attempts to raise the quality of life – and in particular to tackle deaths by suicide – in the ‘Belfast North’ Assembly area. This poster campaign – which features images from the Waterworks – is directed at developing respect for the elderly.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Derry Lama

2021-03-262025-01-02Extramural Activity1 Comment

The Dalai Lama’s hero, Children In Crossfire (web) founder Richard Moore, was blinded in 1972 at age 10 by a British Army rubber bullet. As part of the recent episode on Derry for her show Home Sweet Home, Joanna Lumley had a mural painted in his honour in Great James Street, Derry (Derry Journal).

UVArts has drone shots of the mural on its YouTube channel.

A Woman’s Place Is In The Revolution

2021-03-242025-01-02Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

2021 is the 110th anniversary of International Women’s Day (web). In 1911 it was observed on March 19th, but since 1914 it has been held annually on March 8th. Free Derry Corner (Visual History) was changed to mark the occasion. In the background Bernadette Devlin is seen “inciting a riot” during the Battle Of The Bogside – as the charges against her read; she served six months.