“Belfast thanks our NHS”. Northern Ireland entered a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown at midnight last night in response to recent increases in coronavirus hospitalisations that have taxed the health system (see previously Mother Of The Sick). These marionettes in NHS uniforms are on their bike heading for home, or for work, via the Duke Of York. “Come in soberly, drink moderately, depart quietly, and call again.”
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Writing by worldsend23 (ig) in North Street, Belfast.
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This is a “People Before Profit” (web) poster (at the Waterworks) in support of a ‘Northern Ireland Trade Union Freedom’ bill being brought forward by MLA Gerry Carrol (Irish Legal). The bill has its own Facebook page.
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Confusion over what to do with vacant lots along the south side of Carrick Hill continues. The corner site at the junction with Donegall Street was part of the ‘Northside’ plans back in 2008 and both it and the Library Street site were earmarked for high-rise student accommodations in 2015. None of those plans came to fruition and social housing was approved in 2018 (SF). But now the dispute is over whether to build two-storey family homes or high-rise apartments (which is apparently the preference of the current minister for Infrastructure, the SDLP’s Nichola Mallon (Irish News)). The board was erected by the Carrick Hill Residents Association at the Library Street site.
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On March 24th, the Mater Infirmorum hospital closed its doors to all but Covid patients, partly enabled by a dramatic fall in emergency cases once the coronavirus struck (Irish News). In October, ICU care was moved from the Mater to the City; non-ICU Covid cases are still being treated in the Mater (Belfast Trust). The ICU beds in the City and in Altnagelvin were full last week (BelTel), as cases resurge. The carved statue in the Mater is the creation of Belfast City Sawmill (Fb) in Ballinderry (BelfastLive has in-progress shots).
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Emigration of Irish nations outstripped their returning counterparts for most of the 2010 but stabilised in 2018 (Irish Times). (Migration data for NI nationals could not be found.) This Connolly Youth Movement (cym.ie | ig | tw account currently suspended) sticker on Northumberland Street street sign encourages young people to stay and work for change at home.
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“Grá mór” [lots of love] on an electrical box in Ardmoulin Street. Artist unknown.
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Locals in the Market area and their supporters (who lodged 856 objections Belfast Live) are celebrating yesterday’s decision by the Belfast City Council’s planning committee not to permit the development of an office park at the corner of Stewart Street and East Bridge Street, with buildings as tall as 14 storeys (BelTel). The proposal was originally rejected by the High Court in May, 2017 (see Sunshine Not Skyscrapers) but was revived last month by developer Kilmona Property (Irish News), causing the renewal of placards and banners in the area, such as those shown in today’s post.
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East Belfast’s Lismore Street is recently famous for the removal of bonfire materials in 2019. (See previously: A Vote For The IRA | Dump Wood, No Shite.) The corner of the street usually serves as the “Dump Wood” sign but is currently functioning as a ‘thank you’ to NHS workers.
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“Uniting our community to support our community. Thank you NHS & essential workers”. The ‘Lower North Belfast Action Group’ was formed in April this year in response to the pandemic. Based on the “Groups/Areas” involved, ‘lower’ means the area along the lough up as far the White City and Loughview.
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Extramural Activity 