Belfast Exposed

Photograph gallery Belfast Exposed dates back to 1983. Here is an interview with one of the founders, Sean McKernan, about its origins. Today’s images are from the back of the Donegall Street offices, in Warehouse Lane.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04154 X04153

They Gave A Lifetime

Here is another pair of combined UVF memorial stones – from both WWI and the modern conflict. Above, the fallen comrades of 2nd battalion South Belfast are remembered by their fellow officers and volunteers in the Village’s B Company; below, the garden is dedicated to the “glory of God” in memory of the “sons of Ulster” by “all of their comrades in arms who, by divine grace, were spared to testify to their glorious deeds.” (BelTel and Irish News articles on the unplanned inclusion of modern-day UVF.)

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04162 X04160 frenchpark st how nobly they fight and die in their final moments

It’s OK To Talk

Fifteen football teams from west and north Belfast are involved in a new Suicide Awareness and Mental Health Initiative (SAMHI) in order to combat a recent increase in suicides, including two players from Belfast Celtic (BBC).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04163

Free Marwan Barghouti

Palestinian leader and secretary-general of Fatah during the 90s, Marwan Barghouti joined the Second Intifada (2000) and was arrested by Israeli forces in 2002 and sentenced to five life sentences for attacks by al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades. Barghouti laid out the rationale for the current hunger strike of 1,000 prisoners in a New York Times op-ed. He was reportedly caught eating in May.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04149 IRPWA havana st solidarity with palestine free the hunger strikers

Reading & Writing

Wild-style from SARE in Garfield Street in the city centre.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04130 X04129 garfield st TMN

Back To The Polls

Voters go back to the polls for a UK general election on June 8th. Election materials for the Stormont elections are still visible, such as this Gerry Kelly placard in the Sınn Féın offices in Ardoyne, defaced with a Saoradh ‘quislings’ poster, also from the last Stormont election. John Finucane, rather than Kelly, is the Sınn Féın candidate for the general election this time (Irish News).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04147 X04148

Drugs Kill Our Kids

“Stop drug dealers in our area.” “No drug dealers welcome in our area.” These anti-drug-dealing posters from Greater Ardoyne Residents’ Collective (Fb) are all over the area at present. A leaflet was also circulated as part of the campaign.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04144

Sailortown

A nautical-themed mural in Short Street providing a “Welcome to Sailortown”, including a speedy seahorse, a lobster, and a hammerhead shark. The mural was sponsored by the Community Arts Project and painted last (2016) summer by residents led by artists from Seedhead Arts (report from Clanmil Housing). Here is video of (former) residents describing life in the area (from @AndrewJMolloy).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04133 X04132

Storm Drain All Pain

“Storm drain – all pain, no gain for residents”. This is perhaps a reference to the major construction project needed to provide drainage for Windsor Park and the Olympia leisure centre – see Water Projects for images of Donegall Avenue and Olympia Avenue during the work.

Tates Avenue, south Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04157