Only In The Movies

03072 2015-10-01 Lower Shankill Angels+

Young people from the Lower Shankill pose in the style of a movie poster: “You must have dreams and goals if you are ever going to achieve anything in this world.” The info panel (shown below) incorrectly states that the board replaces a loyalist H-Block mural (of which there were two versions: yellow (M02473) | orange) and, before that, a UDU-UFF-UDA mural; these were on different walls and this board replaces only the Maze mural.

This is the second of five recently-launched boards in the lower Shankill. The first to be featured was I Am Not Resilient.

03073 2015-10-01 Lower Shankill Angels info+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03072 X03073 the lower shankill angels youth group came together to create their very own movie style poster celebrating the strength of their group their aspirations and their love and respect for the community the also wanted to highly how they as young people are often misunderstood artist lesley cherry led the photographic workshops drawing out stories about the groups hopes and fears for the future and how some wanted to stay in the area while others wanted to travel and see the world all agreed that the lower shankill would always have a special place in their hearts this artwork celebrates their ambition and optimism at this stage in their lives this artwork was funded by the housing executive working in partnership with the lower shankill community association the artwork replace the a UDA/UDA and the Freedom 2000 mural which featured HM Maze Prison

mark adair megan aiken nathan arbuthnor craig ballentine ryan baxter justin baxter darnel bell latisha brant CJ burke rabileigh crooks morgan dillon alanna flynn nathan hill brandon irvine curtis irvine marcus kane dylan kane megan mccaw simone mccormick jordan mckeag brittney mckeag kerri-lee mclaughlin jenni mclaughlin glenn mcquillan thomas mitchell jordan mullan morgan patterson lauren stewart chloe stewart becky turner craig wilson

Love Demands Sacrifice

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The board featured here (above and three shots below) has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it is part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, which was waged from July to October in 1940. On the other, it is part of an anti-racism project, celebrating in particular the contributions to the Battle made by roughly 145 Polish aviators (WP) and especially the 303 squadron: “The Polish nation – part of us then, part of us now”. The 303 was later stationed in Northern Ireland for a time. (BBC-NI)

The artist is Ross Wilson. The colour version of the central photograph is available at the Housing Executive’s write-up of the project. Other reports: Belfast Live | NewsLetter

Video of speeches from the launch:

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02996 2015-09-16 Battle Of Britain right+

02997 2015-09-16 Battle Of Britain w+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02994 X02995 X02996 X02997 churchill never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few 21st august 1940 after the invasion of poland by germany on september 1st 1939 many young polish airmen made their way to britain the luftwaffe had full control of the skies over poland and any attempt to fight there would have been futile a rapidly modernising royal air force was an attractive alternative especially as they had been equipped with the ultra-modern spitfire and hurricane fighter planes with a shortage of experienced pilots polish airman became the largest group of non british personnel in the RAF during the battle of britain they joined already established squadrons in fighter command however on july 13th they were given their own squadrons one of these was the highly successful 303 polish squadron during the battle destroyed more aircraft than any other fourth highest tally of all 2nd world war shot down 20% of all experience of seeing their homeland at the mercy of the german forces hardened their resolve regarded by fellow pilots as highly focused and courageous josef frantisek highest scoring fighter ace had it not been for the magnificent material contributed and their unsurpassed gallantry i hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same air chief marshall sir hugh downing per ardua ad astra we do not forget that you were the first to resist the aggressor neither do we forget that you came after manifold trials to our aid when we most needed your help your valiant fighting alongside in the forefront helped to restore the fortunes of the allies throughout the years of struggle in good times and bad you have stood by us and shared their losses and their victories sir archibald sinclair british air minister letter to polish airmen 1945 general sikorski honours rations outside their mess hut john alexander kent feric grzeszcczak zumbach lokuciewski hennerberg daszewski szaposznikow from this day to the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered we few we happy few we band of brothers for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother henry V william shakespeare the legend of 303 polish squadron they gave their lives high up there somewhere where earthly matters are so distant the rays of the sun so pure and god so close we must wonder if mankind is yet aware of the credit that is their due pete bleakley ross wilson housing executive lower shankill community association

I Am Not Resilient

03074 2015-10-01 Resilient+

The lower Shankill estate has been re-imaged (again). The history of re-imaging in the lower Shankill is told by the new piece at Boundary Way: the wall first sported a mural critiquing Sinn Féin’s role in the peace process (see this 2004 image) before being replaced around 2007 by a mural celebrating Andrew Jackson’s Ulster-Scots heritage (see X00285). The new work sends a mixed message: the word “resilient” is in large letters and is the title of the piece, but the quote reads “Stop calling me “resilient”. Because every time you say “Oh, they’re resilient,” that means you can do something else to me. I am not resilient.” The quote would seem to be by Tracie Washington (not: Tracie Jackson) of the Louisiana Justice Institute. The left-hand side wall, which read “UDA Est. 1971” was painted over. For a description of the launch, see this Housing Executive report. Five printed pieces (four of them new this year) have replaced various murals in the area.

03075 2015-10-01 Resilient info+

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X03074 X03075 The title of this artwork reflects a slogan used internationally, where social and political change has been paramount. It is understood that such change emerges only through true and thorough consultation with the community and that is the wish of residents of the Lower Shankill – to affect social change and move forward through collaboration with decision makers and government, at every level. Artist Lesley Cherry worked with members of the Lower Shankill Community Association who felt that this slogan best described how they are feeling as a community in relation to social change, redevelopment, education, housing and employment. They also felt that this slogan, best described their struggle in attaining what is best for their community, at present and also, how it can shape their future. This artwork was funded by the Housing Executive, working in partnership with the Lower Shankill Community Association. The artwork replaces a mural of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States of America, whose family originated from Carrickfergus and a mural commenting on the Northern Irish Peace Process. effect

Have They Gone Away?

03089 2015-10-04 Welcome To Loyalist Lower Shankill+

The South Belfast UDA this week issued a statement that they “won’t be leaving any stage whilst republicans of any faction still exist”. As the Newsletter article notes, the South Belfast branch of the UDA does not speak for the whole organization. Until confirmed, then, the new mural above – “Welcome to the loyalist Lower Shankill – UDA 2nd Batt. C. Coy” – provides only circumstantial evidence …

Elsewhere: Join the South East Antrim UDA: Glenfield Community Association.

Update (2015-10-16): Similar statement from “IRA commanders” BelfastLive | Irish Mirror

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quis separabit UFF UYM X03089

That Faraway Look

03056 2015-09-23 Irony CNB15 Earring+

Realistic image of a female face in profile by Irony (Fb | Tumblr) for CNB15 just off Berry Street towards the Royal Avenue end. You can see the image he was working from at deviantart. The earring is borrowed from the piece next door, which we’ll feature tomorrow.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03056 belfast reform club

Three-In-One

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This trio of Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Freedom Fighters, and Ulster Young Militants boards are in Holywood, County Down. The overtly paramilitary UFF acts as the link between the others, in that the UDA and UYM emblems appear in miniature alongside its own. The UFF slogan “Ferriens tego” is missing from its board. The local troop is the North Down 2nd Batt. D Coy.

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X02792 quis separabit terrae filius

Many Suffer

02823 2015-08-24 MandelaSands+

“Many suffer so that someday future generations may live in justice and peace.”

Portraits of Nelson Mandela and Bobby Sands are presented side by side, both smiling, in front of the flags of (post-apartheid) South Africa and the Republic of Ireland.

Bogside, Derry.

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In A Foreign Land

02865 2015-08-26 LindsayMooneyMem+

The [Sergeant] Lindsay Mooney Memorial Flute Band was formed in 1973 after the St. Patrick’s day death of Lindsay Mooney, a UDA member killed by the premature explosion of a bomb near Lifford, County Donegal (Sutton). The band dissolved in 1993 but commemorative nights are still held (NI World).

The board above is in the Lincoln Court area of Londonderry, from where Mooney and the band both hailed. “To those of us who criticise, to those who cannot see, just remember in a foreign land fell a better man than me.”

The Ballad Of Lindsay Mooney: youtube | lyrics

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X02865 sergeant

On Wings Of Eagles

2015-08-18 BloomfieldRHCFlag+

Here are three images of Red Hand Commando boards and flags in the Bloomfield estate. They both feature a red hand with eagle’s wings over a six-pointed star and on the flag, the motto (in crude Gaelic) “Lamh Derg Abu” – “Onward, Red Hand” or “Red Hand To Victory”. The loyalist paramilitary group declared an official end to activities in 2007 (BBC-NI) and decommissioned its weapons by 2009.

2015-08-18 BloomfieldRHC+

2015-08-18 BloomfieldRHCWide+

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X02777 X02776 X02778 lámh dhearg abú

Alternative Transport

02905 2015-09-02 Beechm 14+

Black taxis were first brought from England to Belfast in 1970 by locals who wanted to provide an alternative, and locally-based, transport system to augment the Citybuses which were sometimes cancelled and sometimes burned out. The board above commemorates eight drivers who were killed during the troubles: Michael Duggan, Jim Green, Harry Muldoon, Paddy McAllister, Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh, Thomas Hughes, Hugh Magee, and Paddy Clarke.

French documentary about black taxi drivers.

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X02905 west belfast taxi association community interest company dedicated to the memory of murdered in the service of their community providing belfast with a public transport system for over 40 years a dhia deán trocaire ar a nanamacha may god have mercy on their souls WBTA divis flats st peters  12/11/75 5/5/77 31/10/84 26/8/86 16/3/88 19/7/91 10/10/91 2/2/92