“No to fascism – Belfast Antifa”. Here’s another piece of Antifa graffiti in north Belfast, this time on Westland Road at the Oldpark Road. The previous (north Belfast) piece was in Ardoyne.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Here are two paste-ups in Belfast city centre by FGB (Francois Got Buffed | web | Fb | tw). One is Dangerous Dave enjoying a rollie, one asks people to expand their culinary horizons. For the origin of the artist’s name, and more info, see Belfast Beyond’s interview with FGB from last year.
Previously by FGB: Hi | Together | Dancing In The Streets
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“This is what a so called united Ireland would look like” – attacks on pro-Israeli murals in interface areas (in this case, Beverley Street, between the Shankill and the Falls.) This is the latest attack on the Patterson mural just off Northumberland Street (the Battle Of Britain mural was also damaged – Irish News). The mural was previously defaced, also by burning, in June 2016 (not 2017 as on the mural) – see Where Is The Reconciliation? – and graffitied in March 2017 (BBC-NI). The title of the post is part of the line at the bottom, from Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the burial of Patterson’s ashes in 2014.
For the original posts on the mural, see Father Of The Israeli Army and Operation Lion.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Republican Network For Unity (RNU) affirm their solidarity with Palestine over the recent deaths during the March Of Return (see also His Land, His Legs, His Life) with a new mural showing an Israeli hand smothering a Palestinian face. Here is the RNU’s statement on the recent deaths in Gaza. “RNU in west Belfast” and “End internment” are from the ‘Free Tony Taylor’ mural that this board covers over.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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In case you feel bad about indulging yourself at Curated Kitchen (web), head across the street to St Anne’s cathedral in Donegall Street in downtown Belfast.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Larne man and member of the Continuity IRA or Irish Republican National Congress (IRNC – see Join The IRNC and Maid Of Erin; also IRPC, who now have a Fb page, as does the Free Niall Lehd campaign) member Niall Lehd was initially arrested on explosives charges in 2014 (BBC-NI) and given early release in 2016 (An Phoblacht). He is associated with Ciaran Maxwell, who says that he became a republican bomb-maker out of fear (RTÉ | Express). He was returned to jail in March (Irish News).
Below is a wide shot from 2018-02 showing the advertising hoarding that appears to be disused and (another shot of) the ‘RIP Jamie’ graffiti below.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Work continues at the site opposite The Sunflower (Union Street and Kent Street). Nine murals (at least) were lost when the building was torn down but the substantial hoarding is providing artists with a temporary canvas. Above are sunflowers by Conor McClure (web | Fb | tw – see previously More Wolf Than Woman | Spring Wings); below are pieces by TMN crew members – MASH and “Skynet“.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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This was presumably to be a UDA mural in the Bangor estate of Kilcooley (there used to be a UFF mural on this wall – see M03710), but the mural was started in May 2016 and the image above taken in April 2017. If you have any information about why the painting stopped, please get in touch.
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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There’s one month to go before 11th night bonfires (and parades on the 12th) and collection of pallets is well under way in loyalist areas. TLO (web) is back this year protesting the use of tyres on bonfires, with King Billy and horse crushed beneath a pile tyres. Under the ‘bonfire management programme’ communities receive funds only if their pyres do not contain tyres. The Irish News reports that 72 groups have signed up this year, down from 95 in 2015. 40% of Belfast fires are in the scheme (BelTel).
Below is one of last year’s posters – still visible – partly covered with a pride sticker (see Good Year For A Bonfire and below that Lost Duppy).
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“In loving memory of Taughmonagh residents Brian McMillan, Alan ‘Rocky’ Meehan, Dennis Berrty (Sgt UDA), Thomas Vance (2 Para), Thomas Douglas. Murdered by cowards during the conflict in Northern Ireland. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day.”
McMillan and Meehan were civilians shot along with TA staff sergeant (and English Catholic) Joseph Flemming on July 9th, 1972.
Dennis Berry was shot by the UVF after leaving the UDA social club in Taughmonagh. According to Lost lives, “Reliable loyalist sources said the shooting was the result of a personal row rather than having any political or organisational basis.” (p. 441)
Thomas Vance died in the IRA’s 1979 ambush of the British Army at Narrow Water Castle, near Warrenpoint (WP), on the same day that Louis Mounbatten was killed. (Republican mural)
Thomas Douglas was shot while walking along the street. His family denied he was a leading loyalist and simply a member of the Orange Order (CAIN | Fb).
This plaque has been added to the UDA memorial garden in Taughmonagh (at the corner of Finbank Gardens & Malfin Drive).
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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Extramural Activity 