painted wall

Ballymurphy Massacre August 1971

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The painting (by Rıstead Ó Murchú) on the board shows the killing (from the direction of Springmartin) of Father Hugh Mullan in waste ground near Springfield Park. It was previously on the Whiterock Road but has now been moved onto the Springfield Road to join the murals calling for justice. (Out of frame to the right are more panels, including one about the children left behind and one of locals protesting.)

“Ballymurphy Massacre – August 1971 – We demand the truth” with portraits of the 11 dead – Quinn, Mullan, Connolly, Teggart, Philips, Murphy, McCarthy, Doherty, Laverty, Corr, McKerr.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05935 we demand the truth

Askatasuna!

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“Freedom for the Basque political prisoners.” “Askatasuna” is Basque for “freedom”. In January 2010, all 742 Basque political prisoners went on hunger strike to protest the policy of dispersing them to prisons all over Spain and France.

Glen Rd – former site of the Andersonstown RUC barracks.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The People’s Champion

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Alex “Hurricane” Higgins died on July 24th, and a new mural has been painted in his memory outside The Royal at the top of Sandy Row (shown above).

It joins a slightly older mural on Donegall Avenue, at the end of the street where Higgins grew up, Abingdon Street (which is now Abingdon Drive).

Both are near the clubs where he learned the game – the Jam Pot and the YMCA – before going on to twice become world snooker champion, in 1972 and 1982. He was a heavy smoker and suffered mouth and throat cancers. (WP)

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05928 X05927 born 1949 simply the best a true legend

We Support Our Troops

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The photograph of a stretchered soldier giving a ‘thumbs up’ (shown below) was set up and photographed by Captain Ed Hodges of the King’s Royal Hussars in Basra, Iraq, in 2007 (Daily Mail). In silhouette (as shown here) it has become the icon of the Help For Heroes charity raising money for British forces.

Update: also used in Ebor Street in 2012.

Moltke Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Village YCV

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Young Citizen Volunteers of both the Home Rule (1912) and Troubles periods are shown shouldering rifles.

The mural on the side-wall has been whitewashed – see previously M04214.

Broadway, south Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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John Hanna

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“In loving memory of Vol. John Hanna , murdered by the enemies of Ulster 10th September 1991. Always remembered by the offices and volunteers of 2nd Batt. “B” Coy Village. Its [sic] not for riches nor for glory but the love of one’s country which [we] are prepared to die for. Here lies a soldier. Gone but not forgotten. FGAU.” The two smaller plaques on either side of the RHC wings on the left are to “Friend Sammy Mehaffy 13th November 1991” and “Volunteer Stevie McCrea 18th February 1989”, both “murdered by the enemies of Ulster”.

There was previously a painted “Village B Coy” banner at the bottom of the wall – see M04207.

Broadway, Village, south Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Village UVF

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The UVF flag contains the flag of England (St. George’s Cross) in one corner and in the other an orange star; “1912” – the year the Ulster Volunteers were founded – in this example is in the top right. The colour-scheme is the reverse of the Orange Order’s: its flag has the purple star of the Williamites on an orange field.

Broadway, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Gary Hamilton

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“Gary Hamilton – world kickboxing champion – www.prokick.com“. Hamilton held the featherweight full contact world title from 2002-2009 (WP). The Prokick gym is in east Belfast.

Broadway, Village, south Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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A Rare Bird

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This mural of an eagle is particularly striking because it is a piece of street art (by TMN members Raser and Akin/Aken) in Andersonstown (specifically Glen Parade, opposite the Kennedy Centre). Its presence so close to sectarian murals is perhaps explained by the fact that it is on the side of a business – Vogue hair stylists.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Stop At Nothing

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“Our rulers will stop at nothing to attain their ends. They will continue to rule and rob until confronted by men who will stop at nothing to overthrow them.” The quote is from James Connolly on Conscription in 1915. Local volunteer Joe McDonnell is portrayed between the names of the ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers. Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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