Two side of the same peace line, with new, near-identical street-art on each side. Above, the view from the Protestant (Woodvale/Shankill) side; below, the view from the Ardoyne side.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01073 X01074
A broken-down car at the top of the Westlink in the shadow of Divis flats, beside a poster reading “Poverty capital of the six counties. Nearly half of all kids here live in poverty. Stormont isn’t working for them! Equal rights and equal opportunities … cherishing all the children of the nation equally – Proclamation of 1916”.
(Previously: Isn’t Working)
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01046
The anti-Thatcher slogan on Black Mountain above Ballymurphy was replaced with “Hunger Strikers Abú”. May 5th was the anniversary of Bobby Sands’ death in 1981 and a “white line” protest took place – marchers walk down the white line in the middle of road – with participants bearing Sands’ image and carrying a black flag.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01083 X01086 [X01087]
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.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01084
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.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01067
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.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01053
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.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05274
The remains of a union flag on a wall in Londonderry’s Waterside.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01006
“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.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01033 X01035
Extramural Activity 