Belfast Inventiveness

2013-08-23 BelfastInventiveness+

Titanic was hull number “401” at Harland & Wolff, and, after hitting an iceberg at 11:40 p.m. on April 14th, 1912, sank at 2:20 a.m. (WP). Above is another (see also 2013-09-022013-09-13) metal-work piece on the Cupar Way “peace” line, with images of a boat dock, solderers, and wind turbines.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Talking Shop

2013-09-11 Anti-Glob+

These protesters are outside the Antrim Road Tesco’s, with placards bearing messages about globalisation: “Politicians, we need support against Tesco globalisation”, “No more! Unfair, non-transparent and collusive tendering practices”, “Support local companies in their fight against Tesco”.

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Topper Thompson

This is the (second) memorial to Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson in Moyard. He was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.

“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994 aged 25. Deeply missed by never forgotten. Erected by his friends.”

Springfield Park, west Belfast.

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A Better Future

2013-08-18 PastFuture+

In this new east Belfast mural, we move from a part of “violence – terrorism – conflict – imprisonment’ to a future of ‘culture – empowerment – human rights – multiculturalism’. The mural is black-and-white on one side and colour on the other. On the left we have watchtowers and paramilitaries in hats and sunglasses; on the right schoolchildren in front of city hall, working on a computer and playing football.

The mural was defaced immediately after it was finished (roughly the end of July), indicating dissatisfaction with the current direction of ‘the future’, but quickly repaired. There is a mural directly above this one, on Lendrick Street, which was featured previously. A wide shot of them both can be found below.

2013-08-18 LendrickStWide+

Update: Spring 2022 – some of the words on the colourful ‘future’ side of the mural have been painted over: “empowerment”, “equality”, “diversity”, “multiculturalism”. There is also a streak of white paint on the arm of a black person in the centre of the mural. See the final two images.

X14079 2023-08-14 No Diversity d+

X14078 2023-08-14 No Diversity+

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At The Crossroads

2013-08-06 CrossPolitcalPolic+

Two images today from the crossroads at the intersection of Crossmaglen-Newry and Newtownhamilton-Dundalk roads (a.k.a. Ford’s Cross, Silverbridge). The first shows a hunger-strikers board from this year over a much older ‘democracy under attack’ board (see D02009). The second shows the plough and the stars flying above the mileage sign. There is also a memorial, with a tricolour flying overhead, at this crossroads

2013-08-06 CrossFlag+

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Identity

2013-08-24 CuparIdentityHeritage+

Another colourful piece of metalwork on the Cupar Way “peace” line, celebrating the construction of the Titanic at Harland & Wolff shipyard.

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McMahon Relics

2013-08-08 BVM1922-2+

Above is an image of one of two surviving religious pictures from the McMahon household on Kinnaird Terrace, off the Antrim Road. The picture was in the house the night five members of the family and one other person were killed, in 1922, by members of the RIC or the Specials (milltowncemetery.com, WP). The holes on the left and at the bottom are thought to be bullet holes, while the article below claims the tear in the upper centre is from the butt of a rifle. The picture is at present on display in the Republican Museum on Conway Street.

2013-08-08 BVMMcMahonClipping+

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Second Best

2013-09-09 Inverwood+

As reported in the media a week ago (BBC | GuardianU.tv video | Slugger), an east Belfast mural featuring footballer George Best, which itself replaced a UVF mural, has been painted over and is being replaced by a new UVF mural. Progress on the piece, however, seems to have halted. This image shows the progress as of Monday 9th, showing no change since the 4th. The mural quotes Martin Luther King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail (pdf), drawing a parallel between the Civil Rights movement in the US and the situation of contemporary Protestants. Below is an image of the George Best piece, courtesy of the Geograph project.

Update 2013-09-13 U.tv reports that the work on the mural has indeed been halted.

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Australian Aid

2013-08-20 ConwayStBanners+

Above is an extra-wide shot (2700 pixels) of another panel from the wall next to the Republican Museum on Conway Street (next to the previously featured Eileen Hickey). The mural features banners of two Australian Republican support-groups, holding banners reading “Australian Aid for Ireland QLD [Queensland] Branch – The Spirit of Freedom” and “The Casement Support Group – Saoirse Melbourne”.

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Let Go Of The Past

2013-08-21 LetGoOfThePast+

Board on the Cupar Way side of the “peace” line showing, on the left hand side, rioters with petrol bombs attacking the police, the “peace” line, and a burning vehicle, and, on the right, construction workers, university graduates, and happy children. “Fight for a better future. It is your choice.” For more information, see Daniela Balmaverde.

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