Extramural Activity

Sons Of The Somme

2023-10-212025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“For your tomorrow, we gave our today.” On either side of the central text are “8th battalion RIR” and the emblem of the 36th Division. The East Belfast regiment of the (1912) Ulster Volunteers became the 8th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles and joined the 107th brigade in the 36th Division.

In the corners of the tarp above is the emblem of the Sons Of The Somme flute band, Johnstone (west of Glasgow) (Fb). The tarp is on the (closed) Belvoir Bar on the Newtownards Road. For the “property of East Belfast UVF” stencil and the plaque at the bottom, see Not For Sale.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Raise The Roof

2023-10-192025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Roof is the rooftop bar of the Union Street Bar. “The Roof” is by Visual Waste (ig) on the Little Donegall Street side of the bar. The photo was taken from the junction of Stephen and Library streets.

The Ru Paul mural in the space below — seen in Sashay Away — has been blacked out.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Love, Marriage, And Country

2023-10-172025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This Castlemara, Carrickfergus, board is notable for its background, which follows that of old coronation and jubilee portraits. These would show the royal couple (and sometimes immediate family) in plush surroundings and standing in front of chairs. This style of composition has been seen in murals of George V’s jubilee in 1935 and George VI’s coronation in 1937 — see Visual History 01. In this board, however, Philip and Elizabeth are portrayed in old age and are not in coronation gear; the chairs shown are from the Throne Room in Buckingham Palace.

Also notable is that the board replaces a UDA mural – see Joint Manoeuvres. The other UDA mural in the estate — Carrickfergus Eddie — has also been replaced.

For the UVF/YCV gunmen in the background of the wide shot, see Out Of The Trenches.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Castlemara Celebrates

2023-10-162025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Castlemara residents’ various emotions are on display at the entrace to the estates: celebrating the jubilee of Elizabeth II, the coronation of Charles III, the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921, and Rangers’ 55th league title; saluting Tom Moore; commemorating Prince Philip, 1921-2021; and remembering with gratitude the “100th anniversary of the Battle Of The Somme”: “We must not forget what they gave so we may live. Let not their deaths be in vain. Lest we forget.”

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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X14362 [X14374] god save the king

Stand Firm

2023-10-162025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Two varieties of this “Stand Firm” placard are going up in PUL west Belfast: (above) “Power-sharing or protocol. Stand firm. There is no basis for power-sharing while the protocol remains. Equal citizenship.” and (below) “Power-sharing or protocol. Stand firm. Restore the acts of union. All UK citizens on an equal footing. Equal citizenship.” The context: Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP have been making noises about a return to Stormont after a year of refusing to participate, which has led to criticism and the threat of “street protests” from hard-line unionists (BelTel).

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Team EDSK

2023-10-152025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Graffiti on the shutter of Man About Town (barbers) in Upper Queen Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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In Your Face

2023-10-152025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Flax flowers on the side of by Dutch street artists Studio Giftig (ig) in James’ Street South. Various linen and handkerchief manufacturers have occupied the building during its history.

Free Palestine (Derry)

2023-10-132025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here are images from Foyleside of more murals and graffiti in Derry supporting Palestine, Gaza, and Hamas. See also the entries from Derry’s Free Derry Corner and Bogside, and Free Palestine in Belfast.

Free Palestine (Belfast)

2023-10-132025-01-08Extramural Activity3 Comments

The “occupied Palestinian territories” include the West Bank (including East or Arab Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip, which, although governed by Palestinians since 2005, is still considered occupied due to Israel’s blockade and control of Gaza’s borders and seas (UN).

This new mural on Ascaill Ard Na bhFeá/Beechmount Avenue/RPG Avenue in Belfast is prompted by the current attacks on, and siege of, Gaza by Israel in response to the attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,300 Israelis dead (Jerusalem Post). The mural perhaps uses the same stencil as in Springhill in 2014, reproducing a Carlos Latuff (Xitter) cartoon.

See also three posts from Derry: Free Palestine | Victory To Gaza | Ireland Supports Palestinian Resistance