Victoria Regina

Cast-iron post-boxes were made by W. T. Allen of London from 1886 onwards (Victoria died in 1901). This one, which is still in use by An Post, is at Collins Barracks in Dublin. The Royal Barracks (as they were then called) were built in 1702 and handed over to the Free State in 1922 and renamed; they are now a museum (WP).

For (modern) green post-boxes in Belfast, see Letters Only and Accomplishments Have No Colour.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Boyne Bridge Defenders

The Boyne Bridge joins Durham Street and Sandy Row. Translink plans to demolish the bridge to make way for a new Transport Hub costing 150 million pounds. The Boyne Bridge Defenders (web | Fb) are organising a petition against it on the basis of the bridge’s age (parts of it were built in 1642) and long history. More info from the Tele.

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Buster Keenan

A new mural to William “Buster” Keenan was unveiled this month – July 8th – coincidentally the anniversary of wife Eileen’s death. Both are listed on the UVF memorial stone (image 3) in front of the mural, along with David Ervine and the Long-Cordner-Bennett-Seymour quartet.

According to ACT, Keenan was involved in the Battle Of St. Matthew’s (in which Bobby Neill and James McCurrie were killed, along with Henry McIlhone). To the left (fourth image) is another “Ulster Volunteers” stone, a “Sydenham roll of honour – to those who gave their lives in the Great War”.

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inverary dr ycv east belfast battalion fusiliers rifles canadian inniskilling rifleman royal navy highlanders

Undisputed Champion

Belfast’s Ryan Burnett is IBF bantamweight world champion. What was initially given as a split decision was later corrected to unanimous due to a judge mixing up the boxers on his card (Telegraph). The mural above, by Glen Molloy, is on Cassidy’s on the Antrim Road, near Bearnageeha where Burnett (and Paddy Barnes) went to school.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Met With Resistance

A bleeding poppy, representing the conquests of the British Empire, is added to the PSNI officers in riot gear, part of a Saoradh protest of political policing at Creggan shops. “End PSNI/MI5 abuse.”

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Freedom Fighter For The Republic

IRA volunteer George McBrearty was shot, together with Charles “Pop” Maguire, by the SAS on May 28th, 1981. This new mural was painted by Bogside Artist Kevin Hasson and unveiled on the 36th anniversary of his death. McBrearty is wearing an Easter lily on his lapel and the proclamation of independence backgrounds his portrait. (Video of the launch.)

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X04298 X04299 in proud memory and tribute to IRA óglach patriots fighting for freedom pat mcbrearty unveiled by mother bridie 2017

Sniper At Work

The vintage South Armagh “sniper at work” “road sign” is revived, along with a modern PSNI officer in hi-vis coat in the crosshairs, on an electricity pole in the Bogside, Derry.

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RIP Plum Smith

A plaque has been added to the Cupar Way “peace” line memorial to UVF man William “Plum” Smith. “Moved on 8th June 2016 – sadly missed by his family.” For more information on his life, see the previous version.

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No Border

“Hard border, soft border, no border – #irishunitynow” – a message from the 1916 Societies (web | Fb) in Rossville Street exploiting uncertainty over the status of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic under Brexit.

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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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With God On Our Side

The emblem of Lebanese militants Hezbollah shows the name (literally “Party Of Allah”) lifting an AK-47. It is shown here beneath the flag of Palestine (below) and (above) next to The Petrol Bomber.

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X04283 X04282 lecky rd Quran 5:56 they that shall be triumphant The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon shi’a