Graffiti on the Falls Road at the Royal Victoria Hospital: “racism, nazis not welcome in our community”.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Nazis Not Welcome
graffiti/writing
Open The Bridge
“Save Sandy Row – open the bridge”. “Sensitive dismantling” of the Boyne Bridge began at the end of November (BBC), as part of the restructuring around the new Grand Central Station despite another protest from locals who allege that the bridge is an essential part of Sandy Row culture (see the entry Battle Of The Boyne Bridge in the Paddy Duffy Collection). (There was an earlier protest on November 5th (BBC); the images below confirm the Irish News‘s estimate of “several dozen”.)
However, the bridge’s demolition has become entangled with the traffic congestion currently dogging the city. Specifically related to the bridge, demolition work paused on the 5th of December because strategies to deal with the disruption to traffic had not been effected (News Letter). And more generally, it is claimed that the closure is contributing to the congestion (News Letter) which is affecting businesses in the city centre (News Letter) and in Sandy Row (BBC). So far, the only concrete step that has been taken to tackle the traffic problem is to allow taxis to use bus lanes (BBC).
For streetart at the new station, see Action At A Distance.
Update Jan 2025: work has halted (BelTel)
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Right Of Return
DUP leader Gavin Robinson posed in front of the original graffiti reading “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” outside the Royal (see Stop Israeli Terror, from October 2023) in order to draw attention to its continued presence, despite a complaint had been made that it was anti-Semitic (BBC). Immediately upon its obliteration this past week (November 2024), a condemnation of the DUP appeared (above and below), and shortly afterward the slogan was restored, though without the Palestinian flag (see wide shot below).
“LD” is (presumably) Lasair Dhearg (web)
Falls Road, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Smile! Smile More!
Perhaps this graffitist was interrupted in Ann Street (on the phone box, above) or decided to escalate their demands in Fountain Lane, below.
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Copyright © 2024 Fintan Woods
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City Paints
Derry’s ‘Get Up’ graffiti and street art festival took place at the end of June – here is the Strand Road hoarding sprayed by NOYS (ig), POSEA (ig), VENTS (ig), RAZER (ig), Chose Letters (ig) and perhaps others, with support from Peaball (web) and Foyle Maritime (web), as well as City Paints (Fb) and Crown paints.
For the street art pieces from Clarendon Street, see Get Up, Derry.
For the same hoarding in 2023, see Crash Bandicoot, and in 2022, see Some Buzz.
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Copyright © 2024 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Dump Inside
This is a 2024 revisiting of the waste-ground (an old weaving factory) at the Westlink corner of the Village, south Belfast. Compared to 2023 (see This Area Needs Social Housing), there is some UVF graffiti (some of which has been covered over with heart stickers – see also Smothered In Kisses) and many new flags, including the row overlooking the Westlink (in the tenth image) among which are the flags of Israel and Ukraine.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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You Are Now Entering The European Court Of Justice
The long-running extradition case against Seán Walsh – from the republic to the north – took another twist in March when the supreme court referred his case to the European Court Of Justice. Walsh is wanted on charges of New IRA membership, based on surveillance of meetings organised by MI5 agent Dennis McFadden (Herald). The point now at issue is whether a 2021 UK law on sentencing for those convicted of terrorism charges (pdf) – no early release is possible (gov.uk) – contravenes article seven of the European Convention On Human Rights.
Republicans also claim that he would be subject to maltreatment if extradited (RN).
A write-up of the arguments can be found in this Irish Times article from 2023, when the possibility of referral was first mooted by Walsh’s legal team.
The black shamrock in the centre of the wall pre-dates the Walsh graffiti – see Black Shamrock for its significance. Free Derry Corner has its own Visual History page.
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Copyright © 2024 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Genocide Joe Biden
The death-toll in Gaza now stands at more than 38,000 people, in addition to the 1,100 Israelis killed on October 7th (Al Jazeera). This graffiti singling out US President Joe Biden – and by extension America’s continued supply of weapons to Israel – is on the hoarding around the derelict Willowbank House, built in 1896 (Belfast Live).
Willowbank Gardens, north Belfast.
See also: The Fog Of War (on Slıabh Dubh) | Ireland Says “No” To Genocide Joe | Don’t Look Away | The Going Down Of The Sun
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The Going Down Of The Sun
“Israeli Genocide” (Israel represented by the Star Of David) – This Antrim Road (north Belfast) graffiti protests the on-going Israeli attacks on cities in the Gaza Strip. The death toll of Palestinians now stands at more than 37,000 people, with 60% of residences destroyed (Al Jazeera).
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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No Country For Young People
Above, “How many [Palestinian] children have to die? Ceasefire now” opposite a (former) shop called Tír Na nÓg [County/Land Of Young People], and, below, “End the occupation. Free Palestine. We are all Palest[in]ian” with drawings of Palestinian and Irish flags.
See previously: How Many Kids Have You Killed To-Day? | How Many Kids? (from the Painting For Palestine project on The International Wall)
Castle Street/Water Lane and Stephen Street, Sligo
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Extramural Activity 