Extramural Activity

Kelly’s Bar

2023-07-062025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Kelly’s Bar at the top of the Rock was packed with punters watching a World Cup match between England and West Germany when a car bomb went off outside shortly after 5 p.m.. The bombing was followed by two nights of gun-battles, with loyalists firing from Springmartin, republicans (both PIRA and OIRA) from Ballymurphy, and British Army soldiers (the King’s Own and 1 Para) from Henry Taggart and other mobile locations. Within three hours following the explosion, barman Tommy McIlroy was killed in the gunfire from Springmartin as he helped with clean-up from the bomb, Alan Buckley of the King’s Own was killed by IRA fire, Michael Magee of Na Fıanna was killed by friendly fire, and Robert McMullan was killed by British Army fire. The next night (May 14th), John Pedlow was killed by British Army fire and Martha Campbell was shot by UVF fire from Springmartin (see her memorial plaque). (Lost Lives 352, 353, 354, 355, 358, 359 | Battle At Springmartin (WP))

As with the bombing of McGurk’s bar in north Belfast (see most recently Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied), the bombing was initially spun by the UK forces and government as an IRA attempt to stir up loyalists (An Phoblacht | Lost Lives 352). An inquest into Moran’s death (and thus into how the bombing was carried out) has been opened (BeTel | Independent).

The plaque dates back to 2004 (see M02243); the tarp was added for the 50th anniversary in 2022; the small mural is more recent.

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“This plaque marks the spot where Kellys Bar once stood and where on 13th May 1972 a no warning loyalist car bomb exploded. As a result 66 people were injured and three innocent members of staff of Kellys Bar lost their lives. They were Tommy McIlroy Died 13th May 1972; John Moran Died from his injuries 23rd May 1972; Gerard Clarke Died from his injuries 6th September 1989. Ar dheıs de go raıbh a namacha.”

Sráıd Clifton

2023-07-032025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

It is a year since the new policy on bilingual street signs was made public; by September there had been 500 applications (Belfast Media) but by January of this year no new signs had been erected and 600 applications were awaiting decision (Belfast Live | Irish News from Feb). One new sign – shown here – was erected in February on Clifton Street (Belfast Media).

From 2016: Céıde Bhaıle Uí Mhurchú

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Still Saying No

2023-07-022025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Say ‘No’ to Irish Sea border.” The graffiti and placards have tapered off as the DUP’s rejection of Brexit’s NI Protocol – and the later Windsor Framework and its “Stormont brake” – and refusal to take their seats in Stormont approaches 18 months (Bel Tel | Reuters | Belfast Live). A poll from Queen’s last week found 61% in favor of the trading agreements (BelTel).

This piece of anti-Protocol graffiti is still rolling in New Mossley.

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Far Dearer The Grave Or The Prison

2023-07-012025-03-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Far dearer the grave or the prison,
Illumed by one patriot name,
Than the trophies of all who have risen
On Liberty’s ruins to fame.”

Thomas Moore’s lyrics were written for the air The Lamentation of Aughrim, in honour of the Jacobites who died on 12 July, 1691, but they are applied here to Joe Malone of the IRA’s “Expeditionary Force”.

In January 1939 the IRA declared war against Britain and carried out a bombing campaign called the “sabotage plan” (WP S-Plan). Malone was arrested in May when a tear-gas bomb intended for the New Victoria cinema in London exploded prematurely in the cloakroom, injuring his arm and wrist (Belfast Battalion p. 103 | West Australian).

Malone and other prisoners refused to co-operate with prison authorities and began a hunger strike in January 1941; on day five of the strike, force-feeding began and Malone was injured and ordered off the strike by OC Conor McNessa; despite stomach surgery, he died a year later. (Belfast Battalion p. 126, 136)

“In proud and loving memory of Volunteer Joseph Malone, No. 1 battalion, Irish Republican Expeditionary Force. Captured in London May 1939 and died in Parkhurst prison 21st January 1942. RIP.”

As the info board points out, the red hand is used to denote the graves in Milltown of volunteers from the 1920s to 1940s.

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The Vault Is Empty

2023-06-302025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Vault artists have cleared out of the old Met building in Tower Street and have been preparing their two new digs, in the Shankill Mission (Vault ig | FGB ig) and Marlbourough House in Victoria Street. The vestiges of their time in east Belfast linger on.

For the final image in better days, see Do You Own A Giant Building?

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Scottish Brigade

2023-06-272025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The hand-painted UVF Scottish Brigade mural (see Boab Kerr) in Beechfield Street/Tower Street has been replaced by this new printed board. The plaque to Kerr has been retained, but four names have been added – David Totten, Brian Milligan, Billy Inglis, and Jim Holt, who is now the most prominent. Holt died in February 2021 (ACT Fb).

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Garden Walls

2023-06-262025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Garden walls by Peaball (ig) in the garden of Ashmore House, Derry.

Strong

2023-06-252025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

As part of the ‘Get Up Derry’ graffiti and street art jam, seven substantial panels were painted at the Tesco superstore in Quayside, including work by NOYS (ig), Zippy (ig), emic (ig), PENS (ig), Kyle McGinley (ig), Friz (ig), and Razer (ig).