Here are two commercial murals in North Street, Belfast city centre. The first, above, was done last year (2012) by Friz (see her previously featured work), for Atomic Collectables; the second, below, is in front of The Chippie – artist unknown.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01351 X01354
When not starring in their respective cartoon shows, Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants, Tom & Jerry, and Mickey & Goofy hang out together in a secret garden, entered through a portal in the wall at the entrance to the Sliabh Dubh estate. This mural was finished after the superhero murals it is next to. See previously: Wallbusters | The Walls, Unbroken
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01458
A tribute to Father Alec Reid, who died on November 22nd and buried on the 27th, has been added to the international wall on Divis Street. Reid was a priest in the nearby Clonard monastery and helped negotiate between Sınn Féın and the SDLP and between nationalists and the government of the Republic. He is perhaps best known for attempting to save Corporals Wood and Howe and administering the last rites to them, in 1988 (WP).
This piece takes the place of a ‘Free Marian Price” mural; Price was freed on May 30th, 2013.
The pieces to the left and right have been previously featured: End Internment | Milltown 25
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01474
This graffiti in Tiger’s Bay relates to the current split in the UDA: “Bunting out – North Belfast UFF”. John Bunting, current leader of the north Belfast UDA/UFF brigade is being challenged by a dissident faction including members previously expelled.
From the Irish News (2013-12-05): “A major split within the UDA was confirmed yesterday as the organisation took the highly unusual step of releasing a statement backing under-fire north Belfast ‘brigadier’ John Bunting.” The statement was signed by east and south Belfast brigades, but not west Belfast. For more, see Tele 2013-11-28, Tele 2013-11-30, Irish News 2013-12-04, Tele 2013-12-05. The stencil of the Queen’s profile on the right was featured previously.
Update: Imaged below of the same graffiti, blacked out, on 2013-12-20. Other graffiti in other areas remain visible.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01475 X01505
Above is a new plaque (unveiled August 11, 2013) in Etna Drive/Corán An Ardghleanna (in Ard Eoın) to Seamus Morris and Peter Nolan, who were shot by the Protestant Action Force (UVF) twenty-five years ago, in August 1988. It reads “Brutally murdered for their faith … by loyalist death squad aided by British crown forces. Never forgotten by family and friends.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01413 in proud and loving memory aged 18 25 years
“12 years interned. End selective internment.” Michael McKevitt was found liable in civil court for the Omagh bombing and sentenced (in criminal court, in 2003) to twenty years in Portlaoise for “directing terrorism” (WP).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05303
This cheeky stencil gives Jesus a red hand of Ulster for a heart. At the corner of Royal Avenue and North Street.
Update: February 26th, 2014 “Yes I”.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013/2014 Extramural Activity
X01453 X03000 X02999
Part mural, part board, this is a new piece honouring Colonel Timothy Thomas Cyril “Tim” Collins, OBE, whose speech to troops on the eve of the Iraq invasion in 2003 is reproduced in part on the right: “There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others, I expect you to rock their world. But if you are ferocious in battle, remember to be magnanimous in victory.” (More at WP)
As can be seen from the second image, the piece was sponsored by Charter NI (amongst others). The piece is one of three pieces which have recently been completed (NewsLetter), the other two being Boxing Through The Ages and Past/Future (Lendrick St). It replaces one of the two UDA 4th battalion panels in the set, the other of which can be seen in the third and final image: the piece in its setting alongside the Kenbaan Street memorial and the pink UDA, UYM and LPA murals.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01440 X01441 X01448 royal irish regiment for god and the empire
Mural and stencil in Bóthar Chaıtríona (St. Katherine’s Road) in the St. James’s area showing Che Guevara above the words “I don’t care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting.” The remnants of the former mural – a Celtic design – can be seen to the left of Che’s head.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01456
Beersbridge Road mural by Faigy (web site | Fb) on the shutters of Inked tattoo parlour. Faigy did another purple girl for CNB 2013.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01442 X01443
Extramural Activity 