A new “fáılte” [“welcome”] mural was painted at the Roddy’s in anticipation of the official opening of the new republican heritage centre/ıonad oıdhreachta poblachtaí (web) which took place on September 28th. Construction of the museum and the adjacent restaurant began in May 2021 with an investment of 1.35 million pounds (Belfast Live). The museum’s exhibits cover republican history from 1798 to the present, and items on display from the Society’s collection include vintage uniforms and artefacts, historic maps and documents, and prison handicrafts.
A service was held yesterday in West Kirk Presbyterian to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the bombing of Frizzell’s fish shop on the Shankill Road. As part of the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the new memorial marking the spot on the Shankill where the bomb exploded, killing nine locals — hence the Arabic “9” among the Roman numerals on the clock face — and one of the bombers (ITv footage). The clock shows the date and time that the bomb went off: 1:06 pm on Saturday October 23rd, 1993.
The new ‘clock’ memorial replaces the three plaques seen in Frizzell’s (though the circular plaque might have been incorporated into this new memorial); the board of portraits served as the cover for the memorial in the days prior to unveiling and was placed over the credit union’s ATM.
West Kirk also contains a stone and bench to the victims of the Shankill bombing. Nine trees were also planted in their memory: John Frizzell, Sharon McBride Leanne Murray, Michael Morrison, Evelyn Baird, Michelle Baird, George Williamson, Gillian Williamson, Wilma McKee.
“We remember those who were killed, those who survived and those lives changed forever.”
“‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away’ Revelations 21 v4”
Saturday’s protest (BBC | Irish Times | in September there was also a wake BelTel) against the cyanobacteria in Lough Neagh (map) included the hand-drawn banner shown above, which is based on a Soviet poster ‘Be vigilant’, probably via its use in internet memes (Google Images | 2014 Irish version). In this case, the “thief” is the Earl Of Shaftesbury, the owner of the bed and soil of Lough Neagh who is open to selling it but not to transferring ownership gratis (BBC).
There is a similarity between this style of image and the earlier one seen in republican muraling, such as Stad Maggie Anoıs (1986) and England Get Out Of Ireland (1989) (and which was also recently used by Kneecap in Hawthorn Street). It would appear that both slogans “Put it back, thief” and “England, get out of Ireland” were used with this (latter) style of image – see Stad Maggie for links.
“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.
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.
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.
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.”
Extramural Activity 