Voters in the Irish Republic go to the polls today (October 26th, 2018) to elect a president. Northerners cannot vote, though a referendum to allow residents of Northern Ireland to vote in presidential elections is expected in 2019 (BelTel). Nonetheless, these posters for Sinn Féın candidate Lıadh Ní Rıada are at the Glen Road/Falls Road roundabout in west Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06214
Emmalene Blake (web | Inst | tw) painted her biggest piece to date for this year’s CNBX/HTN18, in support of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland – it was approved in November 2015 but was blocked by a DUP petition of concern; the DUP now has only 28 seats but any new legislation is stalled by the current lack of a local parliament. The (Westsminster) Commons is scheduled to take up the matter on Friday (October 26th) for a second time – the bill was blocked in May (BelTel).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06247 X06246 Kent Street carpark
Well-meaning but simplistic (if not patronising) message from a tourist: «Irish, forget the past.» Local response: “Da war is not over yet.” Response-to-the-response: “Bring it on.” On the nationalist side of the “peace” line at Townsend Street.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06250 [X06251]
Three members of the Miami Showband were killed in 1975 at a fake check-point set by members of the UVF’s Glennane Gang. The explosion during the incident did not kill the musicians (as the graffiti on the poster above in loyalist east Belfast suggests); they were shot. Rather, a bomb exploded prematurely as it was being planted on their van, killing two of the attackers – see Boyle & Somerville – prompting the shooting spree (WP) that left three of the five band-members dead.
For the mural in the background, see Please Pay Here.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06135
This post updates a 2017 one (Always A Little Further) from Whitehill, Bangor, with the addition of “1912 UVF” between the two “East Belfast UVF” boards, suggesting a softening of message. Similarly, a long “Ulster Volunteer Force” has been blacked out directly across the street.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06086 X06087
Here are two by StayLo Skeetz in Kent Street, Belfast. With writing by VENTS in the second.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06265 X06257
The ‘Golden Hare’ is a leucistic (WP) or albino (WP) hare (sources differ), with lighter fur than typical Irish hares. They are found on Rathlin island (Hare Preservation Trust) and now – in artistic form – in Belfast’s city centre, as painted by Birmingham artist Annatomix (tw | web | Fb) for CNBX/HTN18.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06198 Castle St Marquis St
London artist Real1 (web | ig) in Kent Street, Belfast. Replaced in 2019 by KinMx.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06259
“… but so is hope.” World Mental Health Day was October 10th, and in support of the cause and their “elephant in the room” report (with Belfast Youth Forum and Children’s Law Centre), the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (Fb | tw), with the support of Peace IV funding, produced this mural on Northumberland Street, just above the security gates.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06190 X06189 X06188
The IRSP last month (September, 2018) launched a campaign on Facebook, youtube, and twitter to poll various districts on the question of a border poll. “Unity referendum now! British occupation has been a disaster for the people of Ireland. A united Ireland is the way forward for all the people of Ireland.” The one above is on the fence around the North Queen Street play park; the one below (“88% of Divis people”) is below Divis tower.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06162 X06220
Extramural Activity 