We Perish If We Yield

Northern Ireland is anticipating the centenary of the 1912 Ulster Covenant (WP | Slugger) next weekend (September 29th). The board above marks the occasion, featuring, in the middle third, a reproduction of a famous photograph of Edward Carson making the first signature. The full text of the Covenant is included in a mural on Thorndyke St.

This board is on N Howard St, facing the ‘Lest We Forget’ mural (and in summer 2012, the Families Against Supergrass Trials banner) on Spier’s Place. There was a similar board, celebrating the covenant, across the street in the previous decade. This new board takes the place of Rita Duffy’s photography-based piece for International Women’s Day, which has moved to the Cupar Way “peace” line.

The plaque (below) was added after the main picture was taken (perhaps at the same time as a sequence of plaques – see Say It With Guinness): “This mural was dedicated by Alderman Hugh Smyth OBE on Friday the 21st September 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the signing of Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant”.

X05200 2012 Covenant Hugh Smyth info+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00622 X05200 100 years of solemn league and covenant, edward carson, saturday 28th september 1912, we will not have home rule, the lions of ulster, 2012

Na Fıanna Ard Eoın

The Fıanna plaque at the top of Berwick Road gets a sunburst background and cut-out portraits of the four Fıanna named on the plaque which dates back to 2009, commemorating “one hundred years of resistance” (1909-2009): Davy McAuley, Josh Campbell, Josie McComiskey, and Bernard Fox, all of whom died in 1972. The vintage Fıan on the left is perhaps Christy Lucey. The medal pictured is the Golden Jubilee medal.

“You may kill the revolutionary, but never the revolution.” “Dedicated by the Republican Network For Unity.” “Strength in our hearts, strength of our limbs, consistency of our tongues.”

For close-up of the plaque, see M06728.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05185 [X05183] X05184 [X01561]

For God And Ulster, For King And Country

A board to slain UVF members John Hanna (died 1991-09-10), Stevie McCrea (1989-02-18) and Sammy Mehaffy (1991-11-13), with poppies and image from WWI, and a shrine below also commemorating the service of the 36th Ulster Division in WWI. Frenchpark Street, Village area, south Belfast.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00608 sammy mehaffy 1972-1991, john hanna 1971-1991, stevie mccrea 1952-1989, remembering our brother’s lost lives and the human cost of conflict, the legacy of lost hopes and dreams. we come not to mourn but to praise their memory. we keep the memory of the brave, the faithful and the few, some lie far off beyond the waves, some sleep in ulster too. all are gone but still live on the names of those who died and true men like you, remember them with pride, 36th ulster division, for they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them,

Moving Forward

Wild-style writing is combined with images of local street signs and portraits of east Belfast luminaries such as George Best, Van Morrison, and CS Lewis.

“Created as part of Belfast City Council’s Creative Legacies programme by the young people of ‘The Klub’ at Dee Street Community Centre and artist Daniela Balmaverde. With PEACE III funding.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05212 X05213 X05214 X05211

Live Life To The Full

“Suicide Awareness. It’s always too early to quit, live life to the full. A helping hand is near. Love your life, love your community” with the numbers for Lifeline and Suicide Awareness. By Divis Youth Project.

Albert Street, west Belfast.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Extramural Activity
X05259

July 1st

In the old style of calendar (prior to 1752), the Battle Of The Boyne took place on July 1st, the same date as the Battle Of The Somme (in the new style of calendar). It is reported that some soldiers from the 36th Division wore their Orange Order collarettes into battle. In the image above, which reproduces a painting by Carol Graham, they defend their trench from a German assault.

Carson signing the 1912 Covenant is the second of the pair.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00848 X00807

From Sandy Row To The House Of Windsor

“From Sandy Row to the house of Windsor: happy diamond jubilee 1952-2012. God save the Queen.” Although the coronation was held in June 1953, Elizabeth acceded to the throne immediately upon the death of George VI, on February 6th, 1952.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00847

Her Majesty’s Forces In Afghanistan

This is a recent mural to British forces in Linn Road, Larne. The larger piece of writing on the board above reads, “We wish to pay tribute to the young men and women from this area, who are currently serving or have served with Her Majesty’s Forces in Afghanistan and to those from Northern Ireland who have paid the Surpreme Sacrifice. Lest we forget”.

The smaller one has part of the Ode of Remembrance from Laurence Binyon’s poem For The Fallen: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn, At the going down of the sun, And in the morning, We will Remember them.”

Replaces the Oliver Cromwell mural on Linn Road, Larne.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00833 X00834

Intergenerational Project

“Acknowledge each other and appreciate difference.” “The cycles of life continues [sic]. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So let’s bring our minds together as one and give greetings and thanks to each other as people. Respect.”

“Téann rothaí mór an tsaoıl thart go fóıll. Tugadh an dualgas dúınn máıreachtáıl ı gcothromaíocht agus ı gcuıbheas lena chéıle agus le gach neach boe. Anoıs tabharfar ár n-ıntınn le chéıle mar aon ıntınn agus tabharfaımıs beannachtaí agus buíochas dá chéıle mar chomhdhaoıne. Meas” With sponsorship from Blackie River Community and Belfast City Council.

The artist himself is featured.

Ascaıll Ard na bhFeá, Beechmount, west Belfast.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05194 X05193

Stop, Look, Listen!

“Go to the zebra [crossing] if you can and wait for the lollipop man.” “Don’t be a [clown], slow down!”

Public safety mural in Beechmount Avenue/Ascaill Ard na bhFeá, Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05192