Floppy disks for PCs running Explorer and vintage Macintoshes by Zippy (ig) in Kent Street, Belfast, for HTN2021.
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08494 [X08739]
Simulation Is The Future
painted wall
The Lion And The Elk
The Northern Ireland government’s coat of arms was approved for use in 1924, three years after the government was established. Its “supporters” – the red lion of Scotland and an Irish elk, carrying (respectively) Irish harp and De Burgh flags, and standing on a grassy mound with flax plants – were added later.
This mural celebrating the centenary of Northern Ireland’s creation, in the Woodburn estate, Carrickfergus, accurately shows the Tudor crown on the arms, as was used at the time of creation and prior to the Edwardian crown (WP).
For a similar design, see Defending Freedom From Hate in Highfield.
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08412 X08411 Dee Craig
Crowded Together
Work by Codo (ig) on the Cupar Way “peace” line.
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08478 [X08479] Chris McQuiggan
Guiding Light
“This site housed the former Mid Donegall Road Bonfire for over two decades, until the expansion and development of the surrounding area including the City Hospital meant that it was no longer viable for a bonfire to remain on this site. Greater Village Regeneration Trust, through its work with The Health Trust, who own the site, and the local community, including the local bonfire builders wanted to have something on the site that could benefit the whole community and agreement was given for it to be transformed into the garden that is here today. Local Artist Johnny [sic] McKerr worked alongside Greater Village Regeneration Trust and the local community and this artwork was designed to depict and celebrate the heritage, history and culture which the people of this area are extremely proud of.”
The info board includes a photograph of the bonfire spilling out towards the car-park for the City. The other image is a photograph from the Peter Moloney Collection, used without permission, and photoshopped to add “DRL” – Donegall Road Loyalists.
According to Eddie Kelly of the GVRT, Carrickfergus castle is included because “This is where King William landed, and the annual bonfire is a symbol of a beacon lit across the coast to guide him” (Belfast Live).
Painted by JMK/Jonny McKerr (tw) at Coolfin St on Donegall Rd.
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08425 X08426 X08424
Comply With Your Country’s Demand
In September, 1914, six weeks after the Great War had begun, Edward Carson wrote to the Ulster Volunteers entreating “those who have not already responded” to “my call for Defenders of the Empire” to “enlist at once for the Ulster Division in Lord Kitchener’s Army”, fighting alongside “our fellow Britishers”: “Quit yourselves like men and comply with your country’s demand”. The impulse for the display of force shown here – two panels of hooded gunmen from the 1st East Antrim battalion of the UVF – is the other, original, motivation for the paramilitary force, which Carson describes as “to defend our citizenship in the United Kingdom” (Strachan & Nally).
For the RIR mural, see For Valour. The new panels shown here re-re-image the VC part of that previous mural in the Larches, Carrickfergus.
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08409 X08408 X08406 X08407
Defending Freedom From Hate
Compared to the UVF, the UDA more strongly detect an existential threat to loyalism and evince a siege mentality that provokes the need for armed resistance. Hence the more frequent presence of armed gunmen in UDA murals (which is also due in part to the UVF being able to “re-image” around the Ulster Volunteers and the Somme). With Brexit and the Protocol, however, armed gunmen have recently been appearing more frequently in UVF murals – see, for example, If Our Shores Are Threatened | Bang Up To Date | Our British Identity.
“Springmartin–Highfield–Glencairn Ulster Defence Association est. 1971. Defending freedom from hate.” As the companion mural (We Will Take Nothing Less) makes clear, the hate is coming from a “fascist republican enemy” (“Sinn Fein/IRA”, presumably) and the government of Ireland. Graphically, this mural is the same as the previous one on this wall: Under The Protection Of The UDA.
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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08392 X08393 [X08394] X12015
Green & Gold
Work by Danni Simpson (ig) in the courtyard of White’s Tavern, Winecellar Entry.
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08416
Belfast Confetti
Work by emic (ig) – official title Ffallen [sic] – in Winecellar entry, inspired by Ciaran Carson’s Belfast Confetti, itself inspired by “a public notice from the corporation of Belfast (1678) which highlights a growing problem of Butchers and Tanners mastiff dogs attacking livestock, people, and even young children in the city” (Belfast Walking Tours). The wide shot (below) shows “3D printed floating orbs were created from recycled ocean plastics suspended over the central courtyard” (BCC).
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08418 X08417
White Dove
The white dove (an albino rock dove/pigeon) is a domesticated bird and so not commonly seen in wilds of Belfast’s gardens and hills. It is probably more commonly seen in murals, serving as a symbol for the peace process (see “Hawks” & Doves). This one, by emic (web), can be seen at the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill.
More street art at the Spectrum Centre: Half Human | Not Today, Satan. Not Today | Loyalist Or Racist
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08305
Blue Tit
The Blue Tit (Cyanistes Caeruleus | Meantán Gorm) is a common bird around Belfast. This one can be seen at the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill.
More street art at the Spectrum Centre: Half Human | Not Today, Satan. Not Today | Loyalist Or Racist
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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08304 Friz?
Extramural Activity 