A picnic basket of political parties: PUP, Conservatives and Unionists, DUP, [perhaps Alliance sticking out at the bottom] SDLP, and Sınn Féın. Painted for International Peace Day, 2009.
Northumberland Street, Belfast.
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“This mural is dedicated to the officers and members of the Woodvale Defence Association who gave their lives and their freedom in defence of this are. All gave some, some gave all. Quis separabit.” The plaque reads: “This plaque is dedicated to the officers and members of ‘B’ Company WDA (UFF) who gave their lives and their freedom in defence of the Woodvale. Quis separabit.
Ernie “Duke” Elliott came from the Woodvale area and was a founder member of the Woodvale Defence Association in 1971, which was later folded into the UDA. He was also a Marxist. He was killed in a pub brawl in December 1972 in a dispute over weapons (WP | Tele | Watching The Door).
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In 1607 – “400 blıaın” after the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland – 50 years of newly-asserted English control, most recently at the hands of Charles Blount – who defeated the pair in the Nine Years’ War – and Arthur Chichester – who, as O’Donnell is shown reading, was “appointed Lord Deputy in Ireland” in 1605 – compelled Earls Hugh O’Neill of Tyrone and Rory O’Donnell of Tyrconnell to depart Ireland on a ship bound for Spain in order to petition for Spanish support in reclaiming the lands and status they were losing under English rule. They ended up in Rome instead and never returned, ending the period of Gaelic chiefs’ rule in Ireland and making way for the plantation of Ulster.
The pair of plaques on the left indicate that the mural was painted as part of the Re-Imaging Communities Programme’ (top) and launched by President Mary McAleese on June 19th (bottom). Even though the subject was historical, the state funding for the project required the removal of a sword from O’Neill’s right hand; he is shown instead clutching the collar of his cloak. For more on the re-imaging programme, see Visual History 10.
“Imeacht na nIarlaí. I ndıadh 400 blıaın … that the eternal values of liberty and democracy have prevailed and the sons and daughters of the planter and the Gael have found a way to share the land of their birth and live together in peace.”
Ardoyne Avenue, Belfast
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“The new artwork and community garden replace the last UDA mural to be removed in North Belfast. The aim is to remove the negative images of the past and replace them with positive representations of history and identity. GroundworkNI, Tyndale Community Residents Association, the appointed artists and children from Ballysillan Primary School developed the vision for the project, which drew on themes from local history and incorporated them with the community’s aspirations for the future. The ‘Tyndale Dragon’ was designed by Daniela Balmaverde through consultation with children from Ballysillan Primary School and Tyndale Residents Association. The body of the dragon represents the flowing water of the rivers that ran through Ballysillan and the fire like letters signifies the volcanic history of Cave Hill, the visible feature in this area. Artist Alan Cargo designed the aluminium sculpture called ‘Reflect’. Children from P1-P7 in Ballysillan Primary School drew pictures which ‘reflected’ the things that they liked about their community as well as what they hoped for in the future. These images have been laser etched onto the reflective metal sculpture, which is shaped to represent the Napoleon’s Nose of the nearby Cave Hill. The ripple design through the middle signifies the Farset River that used to run through the local area. The ‘Garden of Reflection’ aims to provide a quiet space for residents to interact and reflect on the past. It creates an area where local people can appreciate the artwork and enjoy the stunning view of Belfast City. The materials used in the garden are sensitive to local history. The limestone paving links into the local limestone quarry, which used to be a source of industry in the area. The words cast into the pathways were chosen by the wider Tyndale community as an expression of their needs and hopes for the future.”
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This “stand-off – trade-off” mural reappears in Artana Street, Belfast, previously covered by Stand Firm. The mural dates to 1998, when an Orange Order march was allowed to parade along Ormeau Road. Parades Commission chairman Alistair Graham (pictured in the mural beneath the evil-eyed OO member) “insisted that the Ormeau Road decision “was not a simple trade-off for our earlier decision on Drumcree”” (Irish Times).
Painted by Troy Garity, recreating an Ian Knox cartoon (Belfast Media).
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The bottom of Farnham Street used open out onto Balfour Avenue and the western embankment of the Lagan, and the gable at the bottom was a good spot for murals. In the late 80s, there was one to celebrate the centenary of Celtic FC (see C00701) and in the 90s there was one to the (Official) IRA (see D00828). And the “Say No To Blow” mural dates back to at least 2004.
In roughly 2008, however, a pair of semi-detached houses were built on the spot, blocking the mural. For an uninhibited view of the whole mural, see D01584.
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Glasgow Celtic football club was founded in 1888 by Brother Walfrid who is partially obscured here by a leaf to the left of centre. Joining him in the apex are (from left to right) Charlie Tully (of Belfast and Glasgow Celtic), Willie Maley (the first manager), [Wilfrid], Billy McNeil lifting the European Cup in 1967, Jock Stein (player 1951-1957 and manager 1965-1978). On the field are former players Henrik Larsson (1997-2004) and Jimmy Johnstone (1962-1965) on either side of the team “doing the huddle”.
Friendly Street, south Belfast
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This is a new mural by Mo Chara Kelly (with DD Walker, Michael Kelly, and Ta Heath) commemorating the deaths of five people shot by British Army snipers in 1972: Paddy Butler (39), David McCafferty (15), Margaret Gargan (13), John Dougal (16), Fr Noel Fitzpatrick (40). The snipers fired from JP Corry’s timber yard (shown on the right) and at the time the Westrock bungalows were still standing (shown lower left). “Belfast’s Bloody Sunday. On the 9th July 1972 the British Army murdered 5 Irish citizens and severely wounded 2 others. It’s time for the truth.”
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Joe Cahill joined the Fianna in 1937 and was involved in the republican movement from then until his death in 2004, including being in Tom Williams’s company in 1942 and later a founder member and Chief of Staff of the Provisional IRA. In the centre of the image he is at the end of the table at the August 13, 1971, press conference to comment on the introduction of internment (CAIN). He is honoured in the mural above alongside his brothers Tom and Frank Cahill. (Pat O’Hare is painted between Tom and Frank.)
In the top left are small boards with portraits of Ned Maguire Snr, Ned Maguire Jnr, Sam Holden, Dal Delaney, Rita McParland, Paddy Meenan, Paddy Corrigan, Sean Wallace, John Petticrew, Alex Crowe.
“Never will they label our liberation struggle as criminal – Bobby Sands [March 6th Diary].”
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“Julie Livingstone aged 14 yrs. Murdered by the British Army 13th May 1981.” “The Stolen Child – Come away, O human child/To the waters and the wild/With a faery hand in hand/For the world’s more full of weeping/Than you can understand! – WB Yeats.” Livingstone was killed by a plastic bullet.
There is also a stone and plaque near the spot she was struck, on the Stewartstown Road.
Glenveagh Drive, Belfast
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Extramural Activity 