Holding My Breath

03091 2015-10-04 DMC CNB15 Underwater+

Work by DMC (Dermot McConaghy TwitterInstagram) at the harbour, an underwater version of the “Invertigo” piece he did the week before (with JMK (Twitter)) CNB15 in Lisburn.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03091 harbour promenade

UFF South East Antrim Brigade

03038 2015-09-23 UFF SEAntrim Fist+

 16 towns and town-lands of south-east County Antrim are named in this recent UFF mural: Rathcoole, Rathfern, Monkstown, Shore Road, Whitewell, Glengormley, Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Whitehead, Ballycarry, Ballyclare, Larne, Newtownards, Antrim, Antrim, Ballymena, Braidside.

This mural was painted in late summer, 2015, on a wall that had been blank since at least 2008. In 2006, it bore a UDA mural, for which see M03060 (by Peter Moloney).

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03038 knocknenagh dr red fist star garland cloughfern

Peace Or War?

02868 2015-08-26 PeaceOrWar+

More vintage graffiti, this time in Derry, dating back at least to 2001. It might come from 2001: after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its implementation, the IRA moved toward decommissioning its weapons, beginning to do so in October 2001.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02868 racecourse rd

The UDA Kill Kids

03027 2015-09-06 The UDA Kill Kids+

Vintage graffiti still visible in Gardiner Street: “The UDA Kill Kids!” If you know what this refers to, please comment or send an e-mail.

See also: graffiti in the same street dating to 1971: God Bless Paisley, Fitt Never

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03027

Neighbourhood Watch

02875 2015-08-27 BallybeenBanner+

Next to the bonfire site at the southern (Drumadoon Drive) entrance to Ballybeen, the banner on the building above proclaims the area’s paramilitary allegiance: East Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02875 for god and ulster

History Carved In Stone

03227 2015-12-18 Falls Garden 2+

The two images featured today are of carved panels in the Falls Garden Of Remembrance (with the gold-plated surround removed). The garden commemorates fallen members of (IRA) D company but the panels suggest a wider appreciation of lower Falls residents. The same is also true of the mural in the background of the wide shot (third image, below), for which see Cry “Havoc”.

03226 2015-12-18 Falls Garden 1+

03242 2015-12-31 Divis Garden+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03227 X03226 X03242 falls cultural society  the service and loss of its sons a daughters  in the pursuit of irish freedom

The Horse Monster

03099 2015-10-04 CNB15 Seahorses d2+

Sea horses constitute the genus hippocampus, or horse sea-monster, so-called because they appear to be a hybrid of a horse’s upper body with the lower body of an fish or dolphin. The specimens shown in today’s three images are work by Emic (Fb | Web) – who also did We Borrow The Earth From Our Children — on ‘harbour promenade’ next to the Big Fish.

For one of the models (and more stunning sea horses), see in this gallery of seahorses and seadragons.

03093 2015-10-04 CNB15 Seahorses d+

03092 2015-10-04 CNB15 Seahorses+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03099 X03093 X03092

McMonagle

02864 2015-08-26 LeafairPkMcMonagle+

This painted board (shown above) to INLA volunteer Neil McMonagle is in Leafair Park, Derry, close to the spot where McMonagle, aged 23, along with friend Liam Duffy, were shot by undercover British soldiers (specifically Sergeant Paul Oram of 14 Intelligence Company (WP)) on February 2, 1983. McMonagle died instantly while Duffy was wounded but survived. The official account alleged that both McMonagle and Duffy were armed; locals deny this. For an account of the killing and a tribute, see these obituaries from republican publications in 1983.

The board shows an armed McMonagle behind a stone wall with a Plough In The Stars flag with a blue background, with the view towards Buncrana (perhaps).

“Vol Neil McMonagle, Derry Brigade INLA. Killed in action 2nd February 1983. “They may kill the revolutionary but never the revolution.””

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02864

The Siege Was Over But The War Was Still To Be Won

03217 2015-12-11 Shutting+

The third of three new panels celebrating the Apprentice Boys contains a long description of the Shutting Of The Gates in December 1688 and the Siege Of Derry, which was ended with the breaking of the boom of the river Foyle in July 1689.

The other two panels were featured in For God, Ulster & Scotland | The Brave 13. A wide shot of all three is included below.

03218 2015-12-11 Of The Gates+

03220 2015-12-11 Apprentice Shutting w+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03217 X03218 X03220 woodvale rd walker mitcheburne mitchelburne williamite no surrender browning baker murray
on the death of charles II in 1685 james II succeeded to the british throne devout roman catholic promoted subjects positions of authority expense of protestant counterparts richard talbot earl of tyrconnell appointed lord deputy in 1687 carry out ireland lying dick replacing mainly civil and military establishment by 1688 the army consisted soldiers remained garrison controlled by mountjoy william stewart population some 2,000 people staunchly march to dublin earl of antrim redshanks 23rd november undefended sweeping the province comber letter massacre in 1641 waterside area ferried across to make arrangement near midday river foyle ferryquay gate closed and locked by a group of young apprentice boys henry campsie ammunition magazine in the tower house north-west corner siezed great siege committee citizens formed defence warned not to enter expelled surrounding countryside formed into six companies by david cairns set out for london obtain help beleaguered city londonderry despite excellent reputation two sons denied access negotiations took place sides decided 21st december lundy governor queen mary deliverance supplies james hamilton commission required to take an oath before receiving resistance and a refuge 7,000 jacobite soldier subdue ulster mid april french general rosen lifford clady fifteen miles upstream in disgrace advised to surrender loyalty doubted confined to his quarters for his own safety ignominiously fled reviled henry baker george walker appointed estimated that 30,000 people able bodied eight regiments assigned a different part strengthened to deny the enemy cover many trees and houses outside cleared cannons positioned internally facing the various gates burst through tower of st columbs cathedral highest point bombardment shipquay gate 24th april 1689 600 mortar bombs clashes maumont pennyburn mill skirmishes windmill hill recaptured inflicting heavy casualties flags preserved display cloth renewed surprise repulsed beseigers troops rounded up and herded retaliated by erecting a gallow threatening to hang wooden boom was built across english supply ships lough foyle culmore fortlough swilly inch island frigate dartmouth michael browning swallow musket ball phoenix apprentic boys john mitchelburne celebrated six clubs in 1859 john guy ferguson browning relief of derry thirteen touching of the gates effigy bishop’s street thanksgiving service wreath is laid at siege heroes mound vita veritas victoria life truth victory

Universal Soldier

02800 2015-08-23 BreakTheConnection+

A Coors Light “Closer to Cold” ad, with Jean-Claude Van Damme on a snowy mountain in jeans and loafers with his foot on a snowy tree-stump, is co-opted by the IRSP: “Ireland didn’t vote for Tory cuts — Break the connection with England!”

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02800 northumberland st irish republican socialist party http://www.irsp.ie plough stars inla mountain