Positive thinking in a suicide-prevention poster from the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) in Ardoyne: Place your hand over your heart, can you feel it? This is called purpose! Your’re [sic] alive for a reason! … Don’t ever give up
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03273 berwick rd
The Derry branch of the 1916 Societies (Fb) is named after Sean Dolan, an IRA volunteer interned at the outbreak of WWII on the prison ship Al Rawdah (WP | saoırse32) before being moved to Crumlin Road gaol. He was released on grounds of ill health shortly before dying in 1941 at age 28 in Derry. The title of today’s post comes from Dolan’s gravestone, which is in Ardmore (findagrave).
It was the 1916 Societies that hoisted an Irish tricolour from the roof of Stormont in June 2015 (BBC).
The wide shot below shows the 1916 board next to a Fıanna roll of honour and an IRSP O’Hara-McCreesh hunger-strikers memorial (see Socialist Volunteers).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02871 X02869 racecourse rd derry
The crew whiles away the hours sitting atop a Bogside stairwell, with IRA-emblazoned tricolour fluttering overhead, keeping an eye on a heap of bonfire wood. Below: another tricolour in the same area, with “Brits out now – IRA” board beneath.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02806 X02807 meenan sq
The third of three new panels celebrating the Apprentice Boys contains a long description of the Shutting Of The Gates in December 1688 and the Siege Of Derry, which was ended with the breaking of the boom of the river Foyle in July 1689.
The other two panels were featured in For God, Ulster & Scotland | The Brave 13. A wide shot of all three is included below.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03217 X03218 X03220 woodvale rd walker mitcheburne mitchelburne williamite no surrender browning baker murray
on the death of charles II in 1685 james II succeeded to the british throne devout roman catholic promoted subjects positions of authority expense of protestant counterparts richard talbot earl of tyrconnell appointed lord deputy in 1687 carry out ireland lying dick replacing mainly civil and military establishment by 1688 the army consisted soldiers remained garrison controlled by mountjoy william stewart population some 2,000 people staunchly march to dublin earl of antrim redshanks 23rd november undefended sweeping the province comber letter massacre in 1641 waterside area ferried across to make arrangement near midday river foyle ferryquay gate closed and locked by a group of young apprentice boys henry campsie ammunition magazine in the tower house north-west corner siezed great siege committee citizens formed defence warned not to enter expelled surrounding countryside formed into six companies by david cairns set out for london obtain help beleaguered city londonderry despite excellent reputation two sons denied access negotiations took place sides decided 21st december lundy governor queen mary deliverance supplies james hamilton commission required to take an oath before receiving resistance and a refuge 7,000 jacobite soldier subdue ulster mid april french general rosen lifford clady fifteen miles upstream in disgrace advised to surrender loyalty doubted confined to his quarters for his own safety ignominiously fled reviled henry baker george walker appointed estimated that 30,000 people able bodied eight regiments assigned a different part strengthened to deny the enemy cover many trees and houses outside cleared cannons positioned internally facing the various gates burst through tower of st columbs cathedral highest point bombardment shipquay gate 24th april 1689 600 mortar bombs clashes maumont pennyburn mill skirmishes windmill hill recaptured inflicting heavy casualties flags preserved display cloth renewed surprise repulsed beseigers troops rounded up and herded retaliated by erecting a gallow threatening to hang wooden boom was built across english supply ships lough foyle culmore fortlough swilly inch island frigate dartmouth michael browning swallow musket ball phoenix apprentic boys john mitchelburne celebrated six clubs in 1859 john guy ferguson browning relief of derry thirteen touching of the gates effigy bishop’s street thanksgiving service wreath is laid at siege heroes mound vita veritas victoria life truth victory
Here is the second of three panels from a new mural on the Shankill Road celebrating the ties between Belfast and the Stirling & District Campsie Club, a branch of one of the associated clubs of the Apprentice Boys Of Derry. It features the cannon “Roaring Meg” (“presented by the Fishmongers Company of London 1642″) which is used as the seal for the club, the club’s flag which includes a red hand of Ulster, the key to the gates, and the emblem and coat of arms of the Apprentice Boys.
For the first panel, see For God, Ulster & Scotland.
“Formed on the 2nd May 1987 we have been at the forefront of loyalist culture in our area since then and were the first club in Scotland to have a Battle of the Somme Commemoration Parade. Since our inauguration we have formed many friendships with our brethren and bands from the province many of which are still active today. For many years the club has participated with Belfast Campsie Club at the closing of the gates parade in December. We have through the years had great affinity with the many bands from Belfast some who are unfortunately no longer with us. The club would like to thank the people of Belfast for their support and friendship through the years and to the people of the Shankill for giving us the privilege of this murals.
No surrender.
The Campsie Club is the only Apprentice Boys Club to be named after one of the “Brave 13″. It is persumed presumed that Henry Campsie was the first man to shed blood in the Defence of Londonderry. Campsie was the inspiration behind the Shutting of the Gates and was severely wounded whilst leading his associates to secure the City Magazine and armoury. The emblem of the Roaring Meg was adopted as the Seal of the new club.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03219 stirling castle 1688 1689 Henry Campsie, William Crookshanks, Robert Sherrard, Daniel Sherrard, Alexander Irwin, James Steward, Robert Morison, Alexander Cunningham, Samuel Hunt, James Spike, John Coningham, William Cairnes and Samuel Harvy 105 the number of days the city was under siege walker mitchelburne browning baker murray
This panel (one of three) of a new mural on the Shankill celebrates the Stirling Protestant Boys Flute Band and its association with the Shankill Road: “Stirling Protestant Boys Flute Band [Fb] were formed in February 2003 and to this day take part in parades across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. The band has a great connection with our friends from Belfast, especially those from the Greater Shankill area. In November 2012 Stirling Protestant Boys were presented with the battle honours of the Young Citizen Volunteers and the 36th (Ulster) Division. The band would like to thank the people of the Shankill Road for their continued support.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03216 Sir David Stirling Memorial Vol. Brian Robinson Parade
The Provisional IRA emerged from a split in the IRA in the wake of sectarian unrest in 1969. The Derry battalion became the Derry Brigade (An Brıogáıd Dhoıre) in 1972 when the number of people wishing to become volunteers swelled in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday. It is estimated that 1,000 Derry Catholics (2% of the population) were imprisoned for IRA activities in the 70s and 80s. (WP) The image above shows a mural with Cú Chulaınn, an oak leaf with crossed rifles, and a lily. In the centre is a board commemorating volunteers from the 1st battalion — an identical board can be found on Westland Street; see Spirit Of Freedom – and below are a commemorative standing stone and dolmen a short distance away.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02834 X02827 X02812 lecky rd irish republican army óglaıgh na héıreann lafferty donaghey keenan starrs mcgillen carr mcdaid moyne heaney coyle harkin duffy quigley english mcsheffrey mcfadden unbowed and unbroken erected in memory of the fallen in ireland about 3000 BC it is believed that they were erected to honour an esteemed chieftain or warrior tógadh an leacht cuımhneacháın ın ónóır agus ı gcuımhne ar chéad chathlán bhrıogáıd dhoıre óglaıgh na héıreann tugtar ómós do mhısneach saoırse poblachta
The UVF and YCV flags together with the Ulster Banner and Union Flag make up this Bangor Protestant Boys flute band (Fb) mural.
Below is a vintage Protest Action Force triangular board on the adjacent building.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02785 X02784 X02786
“Car crime is a growing problem — don’t let it impact on our community.” Board at the junction of Falcarragh Drive and Suffolk Road.
See also: Where’s The Joy? | Death Driving
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02981 gone hurt crash glen parent
Today’s image is of the final new mural in the recent re-imaging of the Lower Shankill estate. It shows a patchwork quilt of word related to women and the roles they play in families and communities, such as “aunt”, “mother”, “sister”, “granny”, and “caring”, “diverse”, “strong”, and “unheard voices”.
Other murals in the project: I Am Not Resilient | Only In The Movies | Coming Of Age In The Lower Shankill
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03070 X03071 The Lower Shankill Women’s Group created this artwork using the theme of a traditional family quilt as their inspiration. The quilt idea was chosen as an item, which is often made together by family members and is ultimately handed down through generations. The women decided to decorate their quilt with words that described themselves their family members. Each member of the group contributed to the project, which were brought together digitally to form the overall artwork. They also wanted to highlight that woman have a pivotal role to play within the Shankill area and that their voices area as important as any one else’s. Artist Lesley Cherry worked with the women during this project, drawing out family stories of care, loss, remembrance and ultimately love, not only for their immediate families, but for their friends and the wider community. This artwork was funded by the Housing Executive, working in partnership with the Lower Shankill Community Association. The artwork replaces a contentious paramilitary mural and an artwork depicting the burning of Protestant homes at the beginning of the Troubles. hope friend loud kind broken honest care pride family stubborn inspiration diverse niece pride care caring acceptance welcome love powerful equalilty equality for all
Extramural Activity 