Graffiti on Carrington Street, in east Belfast: “Remember The La Mon bombing. 13 Protestants killed. For what?? Sinn Fein vote!” The La Mon hotel and restaurant, outside Belfast, was filled with civilians enjoying dinner-dances at the time it was bombed by the IRA in February 1978 (WP).
The same graffiti appeared in Ravenhill Avenue and Clara Street.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Two memorial boards in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close, one to volunteers and the other to victims of violence, from the surrounding areas, the Bone, Ballybone and Cliftonville.
The text on the first read, “In proud and loving memory of the brave volunteers of Óglaıgh na hÉıreann who unselfishly gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom. Thug sıad gach rud, ní bheanfar dearmad orthu go beo.”
The second read, “In memory of our families, friends and neighbours murdered in the troubles. Dedicated to all the people from the Bone, Ballybone and greater Cliftonville area who lost their lives to the armed forces of Britain and Loyalism. They tried but failed to break their spirits and deny them their rights as equals. Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a n-anam.”
Involves wrought iron pieces as borders.
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A small sign of progress, perhaps: these new gates at the bottom of Howard Street are see-through and reveal the hills in the distance. For comparison, see the solid yellow gates on the Cupar Way (Shankill) side.
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The Clowney Street phoenix, which dates back to 1981 (see The Oldest Murals), has been repainted, and above, the blanketmen painting (see 1981-2011) has been replaced with a montage of photographs from the period, including prisoners on the blanket and dirty protest, the funeral of Sands and of McDonnell, and three pieces of graffiti: “Thirty thousands can’t be wrong” (Sands’s election to Westminster), “Bobby Sands murdered 1.17 am 5th May 1981”, and “My position is in total contrast to that of an ordinary prisoner. I am a political prisoner.”
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The remains of a union flag on a wall in Londonderry’s Waterside.
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“In Memory of the Belfast men who fought against fascism with the international brigade, Spanish civil war 1936 – 1939.” The colours of the international brigade (red, yellow and purple – here a lighter violet colour) serve as a background.
The board shows Belfast socialists walking at Bodenstown, 1934 as part of the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration, held each year in June. Tone, an Anglican and the founder of the United Irishmen, is buried in the Bodenstown graveyard. Sources report, however, that there was an attempt to exclude these marchers, from “Shankill Rd Belfast Branch”, from part of the 1934 commemoration. The reasons given vary: they were carrying a non-standard banner, they had communist leanings, and, they were Protestants. (See Paddy Byrne | WP1 – though a different banner is mentioned | WP2 – see “legacy” section | WP3 – see fn. 1).
The plaque to the right reads: “In memory of all those who fought in Spain against Fascism 1936-1939. This mural was erected by Teach Na Fáılte Republican Ex-Prisoners Support Group and Belfast City Council. It was unveiled on April 20th, 2013 (irsp.ie). Signed “[Fra] Maher 2013”.
Northumberland Street, west Belfast.
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X01079 X00828 Original photo of the marchers, at An Phoblacht.
Not Catholics versus Protestants but atheists versus believers. Contradictory pieces from the towpath running along the Bann, out of Portadown and towards Newry. The first says “No Gods. No Masters”. The second says “The fool hath said there is no God.”
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A fairly crude painting on a piece of board on a wall in the Bogside showing an Ulster flag (the board is a light yellow and there is no crown above the red hand) and an Armalite rifle. (Previously from the same area: BRAGging | Painting The Town)
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Two of the UVF flags put up to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the formation of the UVF still flying (on May 5th) above the black-and-white UVF mural in Carrington Street at the junction with the Ravenhill Road. The flags were supposed to come down directly after the parade on April 20th (BBC-NI) but there is now confusion as to who is responsible for their removal.
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X01085 formation of the UVF east belfast battalion for god and ulster trek the stunning mourne mountains oxfam trailfrekker samson goliath masked
Black-and-white and colour versions (see below) of graffiti on Divis Street celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher. The power of the state lives on, however, in the surveillance camera atop the pole. (Previously: Rot In Hell | Living Like Animals | Thatcher The Real Criminal | Thatcherism)
“Ding-dong! The witch is dead” (from The Wizard Of Oz) (youtube) went to #2 in the singles charts in the aftermath of Thatcher’s death.
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Extramural Activity 