A loan of 1,000 pounds from the Ulster Bank will be changed interest at 24.9%, while the rate for 10,000 pounds is 3.4% (Loan Calculator). Commentary on the price of money in the old Beresford Street, just off the Shankill (next to Mussen Cortège).
The lion (England) and the unicorn (Scotland) … and the Scottie dog … heraldic supporters of the United Kingdom’s and Northern Ireland’s coat of arms, in this the centenary year of the state. “Home is where someone runs to greet you.”
The Chipyard (Fb) – west Belfast take-away puns on the east Belfast Harland & Wolff “shipyard”, with its two famous cranes, Samson and Goliath. “Traditional fish & chips & homemade ice-cream.”
Dan Kitchener (web) added a side wall to his large mural in Enfield Street in the Woodvale. According to the man himself, the scene is Tokyo rather than Soho.
“#ItsOKToTalk” “This art project was completed as part of Alternative – Safer Areas For Everyone (SAFE) project. The young people involved identified mental health as the theme for their art project and incorporated positive mental health messages & support numbers to highlight the issue. The group also identified the “Steps” area as the location for the art work, to help brighten up the area which had become unsightly, neglected and a focus for anti-social behaviour. This project also engaged with the residents through door to door surveys, provided information leaflets on support services and organised community clean ups to help improve community pride & spirit in the area. Special thanks to Jamie, Dylan, Kyle, Corey and Mason who showed positive leadership in their community, to street artist Emic & Sam from Signlink for the art work & graphics and to the local residents and young people who were involved in the clean ups. SAFE Shankill is supported by the The Executive Office through Communities In Transition programme.”
This is the bonfire in Edgarstown, Portadown, a month shy of Eleventh Night, when it will be set alight. (The UVF banners will be removed before burning.) Since these images were taken on June 10th, a third “storey” has been added – see the Facebook page.
On June 22nd, 1921, the parliament of Northern Ireland was opened by George V at Belfast’s City Hall. In his address to the assembled dignitaries, he said “I have … come in person, as the head of the Empire, to inaugurate this parliament on Irish soil. I inaugurate it with deep felt hope and I feel assured that you will do your utmost to make it an instrument of happiness and good government for all parts of the community which you represent. This is a great and critical occasion in the history of the Six Counties … I pray that My coming to Ireland to-day may prove to be the first step towards an end of strife amongst [Ireland’s] people, whatever their race or creed.” “Partition has failed” to answer his prayer. Above: the latest message on Slıabh Dubh; below: the mountain from the bonfire pallets collected on the Highfield estate.
“Shhhhhhhh, it’s a secret. Don’t tell anyone!” Who did this piece of street art? We don’t know. Maybe that’s the secret? Next to Mark Worst’s (ig | web) “The Muse/Erin” piece on Glendermott Road, in the Londonderry Waterside.
Five steps to mental health – give, connect, be active, take notice, keep learning – and affirmations to live by – “This is me”, “You’re a superstar”, “I am what I am”, and “Simply the best“. Part of the Shankill SAFE (Safer Areas For Everyone – see the tarp below) project in the Woodvale, with support from Alternatives and the Communities In Transition programme.
Commentary from Tullyally Young Loyalists, who on their Fb page call for the collapse of Stormont and an end to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: “PSNI Out”, the “Deal [is] off!!” “FTP” is typically “eff the Provos” but here “P” might be “police”.