‘Homeless Jesus’ shows a person with crucified feet sleeping outdoors on a bench. It was designed by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz (web). The original is at the University Of Toronto and there are now well over 100 of them at churches and other public sites around the world (WP). This one is outside the Centenary House offices of Salvation Army, in Dunbar Link.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
[X08580] X08581 X08582 X08583
This is an update of the Marie Le Bonn Memorial Garden in Ard An Lao/Ardilea, previously seen in 2013.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X08362
“Belfast thanks our NHS”. Northern Ireland entered a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown at midnight last night in response to recent increases in coronavirus hospitalisations that have taxed the health system (see previously Mother Of The Sick). These marionettes in NHS uniforms are on their bike heading for home, or for work, via the Duke Of York. “Come in soberly, drink moderately, depart quietly, and call again.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07727
On March 24th, the Mater Infirmorum hospital closed its doors to all but Covid patients, partly enabled by a dramatic fall in emergency cases once the coronavirus struck (Irish News). In October, ICU care was moved from the Mater to the City; non-ICU Covid cases are still being treated in the Mater (Belfast Trust). The ICU beds in the City and in Altnagelvin were full last week (BelTel), as cases resurge. The carved statue in the Mater is the creation of Belfast City Sawmill (Fb) in Ballinderry (BelfastLive has in-progress shots).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07736
“Pro tanto quid retribuamus” [What shall we give in return for so much] is the motto of Belfast, included in the coat of arms shown above and newly appropriate in the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family. Together fighting Covid-19.” The banner is on the Clifton Street hall; King William III bestrides his horse and the horse bestrides the building.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07244 X07245
As he begins his trek around Ireland to vanquish the forces of James II, King William III wears a mask to protect himself from the novel coronavirus.
The title of today’s post is based on the old Bobby Jackson mural The Landing Of William III At Carrickfergus June 1690, itself based on a popular postcard.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle
X07046
… while a dog may look away from a queen, and she from it. Ornaments to a Woodvale back garden, where giant poppies grow.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07016
A holy trinity of Liverpool FC flag, the west Belfast “peace” line, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Finn Square, Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2019 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06645
English artist Rob Heard (web | tw) created 3,775 jointed wooden sculptures, wrapped in calico, one for each soldier from the 36th (Ulster) and 10th (Irish) and 16th (Irish) regiments, or from Belfast, whose body was not recovered from the Somme battlefields. They were laid out last month in the Garden Of Remembrance at Belfast City hall (see second image). On Armistice Day this November, the Belfast figures will be included in a larger display commemorating 72,396 Commonwealth soldiers in London (more info).
See previously: An installation of “crush art” to commemorate the Jewish ghetto in WWII – So They Go To Meet The Death.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06137 X06136 [X06138] [X06139] [X06140] [X06141]
In addition to their Easter parade in April (Irish News) and large hoarding celebrating Charlie Hughes and Leila Khaled at the corner of Northumberland Street, IRA D Company’s presence in Divis now includes a cut-out assault rifle and tricoloured “IRA” mounted on the light pole.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04910 X04911
Extramural Activity 