Graffiti in the Rathcoole estate, in Newtownabbey just north of Belfast, “It was Gerry [Adams]”, next to “RHC” – “Red Hand Commandos”.
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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It Was Gerry
graffiti/writing
#Time4Truth
Before the Gerry Adams arrest dominated the headlines (Get The Real Story), the major issue of last week was the announcement by NI Secretary Theresa Villiers (BBC-NI) that there would be no further investigation of the La Mon Restaurant bombing – in which 12 people died (WP) – or the Ballymurphy Massacre – in which 11 died (WP). Relatives of both sets of deceased were disappointed by the announcement, and on the republican side, Gael Force Art in conjunction with Relatives For Justice took to Slıabh Dubh to promote the latter’s #Time4Truth campaign. Below is an already-existing board on the lower side of Springfield Road, painted by Rısteard Ó Murchú, making the same demand.
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01817 X01810 quinn mullan connolly teggart philips murphy mccarthy doherty laverty corr mckerr we demand the truth black mountain
One Ireland, One View
The latest message on Slıabh Dubh (Black Mountain) went up on Thursday and is gone today (Saturday). It is the work of the 1916 Societies and their ‘One Ireland, One Vote’ campaign. (See the GaelForceArt Fb page for shots of the work in progress.) The Belfast Telegraph reports that politicians, including Jim McVeigh of Sınn Féın, have called for signs on the mountainside to cease. However, the field in which the signs appear – known as the Hatchet Field – is privately owned.
Previously: Six other signs on Black Mountain
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Tommy Crossan
These two pieces of graffiti have appeared on the Stewartstown Road: “RIP Tommy Crossan – slan a chara” and “Tommy Crossan a true Republican”. Crossan, a former leader of the CIRA, was shot and killed on Friday (April 18th, 2014 – Good Friday) (Guardian).
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Unseen Miracles
A pig on a scooter. A disembodied head of Jesus of Nazareth (seen previously in One Love). And (below) the Springfield Road “peace” line.
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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A Philosophy Of Liberation
A burnt-out car in the shadow of St. Peter’s cathedral and at the back of the Maureen Sheehan Health Centre, just off Albert Street, which is infamous for “DHLA” (Divis Hoods Liberation Army) joyriding. The new murals in the area (such as Our Youth, Our Future) are part of an intervention project to improve it. 2014-12 update: there has been an upsurge in carjackings in late 2014 (BelTel).
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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2nd Class Citizens
Recent work around Conway and Canmore Streets on Cupar Way has revealed this old piece of graffiti: “We will never be 2nd class citizens to you scum[m]y bastards – L/S C/Coy” [Lower Shankill C Company]. C Company (2nd battalion) was Johnny Adair’s UDA unit and the location is just inside UVF territory (west of Agnes/Northumberland Street); this graffiti might thus date to the feud with the UVF in 2000. Alternatively, the intended audience might be residents in Bombay Street and St. Galls Avenue. If you have more definite information, please leave a comment or send an e-mail.
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Up Your Haass
Political commentary on the Cupar Way “peace” line (near Lanark Way): “Stick Haass up your ass” — a reference to the negotiations which were taking place around Christmas and New Year’s, led by Richard Haass, into the “legacy issues” of flags and emblems (including murals) and parades. No agreement was reached. (BBC | pdf | BBC)
December update: the Stormont House Agreement covered many of the same areas (WP).
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Naming Our Streets
The Antrim Road at Carlisle Circus also bears the street-name ‘Winifred Carney Road’ (top left of the image above), as part of the ‘Naming Our Streets’ project. Carney’s name was chosen for this location – SIPTU offices – because she was a trade unionist and also because she grew up on Carlisle Circus. For more information, including biographies of 50 historically important Belfast women, seven of whom were honoured in this way, see the Women’s Resource & Development Agency.
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01663 SIPTU
Free Are We
Graffiti in Lenadoon. In existentialist mode: “If nothing is, free are we.” Or perhaps “If nothing is free, are we[?]”
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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Extramural Activity 