Extramural Activity

They Sleep Beyond Ulster’s Foam

2011-03-222024-12-16Extramural Activity2 Comments

Here are three details from the metalworks in the Mount Vernon WWI memorial garden, showing scenes from the conflict and a map of the area around Messines (photoshopped in red). For more, including the panels to John Cordon and William McFadzean, see M07770.

Update: As the images below from 2017 and 2018 show, the metalworks themselves have also been repainted (and replaced in a slightly different configuration), a new gate has been installed and the boards on the surrounding wall have been restored, against a freshly-painted background of green. The boards have verses from Laurence Binyon’s For The Fallen. “They mingle not with their laughing comrades again/They sit no more at familiar tables of home/They have no lot in our labour of the day-time/They sleep beyond Ulster’s [originally, England’s] foam.”

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Copyright © 2011/2017/2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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T04420 T04419 courtesy of Paddy Duffy

Victoria By The Seaside

2011-03-192024-12-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Queen Victoria and entourage paddle along the Irish shore at the end of the Great Hunger. (Here are one | two discussions of her visit and (un)involvement with famine relief.) Work by Rosie McGurran (Fb) in Linden Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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I’m Not A Criminal

2011-03-032024-12-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

When the mural to “the first blanketman” Kieran Nugent mural (in the Rock streets) was re-done in February 2011, it was initially framed with a terrific selection of posters from the period, many of them from continental Europe, about Kieran, the blanket protest, and hunger striker.

“I’m not a criminal. The Brits will have to nail prison clothes to my back.” For the previous mural, and some background about Nugent going “on the blanket”, see M02550.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Under Ben Madigan

2011-02-012024-12-15Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Titanic sails (impossibly) between the Giant’s Causeway (on the left) and one of the Harland & Wolff cranes – all under Napoleon’s Nose and Cave Hill.

This mural replaced a UDA mural in Downing Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Have A Party For Peace

2011-01-242024-12-15Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A picnic basket of political parties: PUP, Conservatives and Unionists, DUP, [perhaps Alliance sticking out at the bottom] SDLP, and Sınn Féın. Painted for International Peace Day, 2009.

Northumberland Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Duke Elliott

2011-01-242024-12-15Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“This mural is dedicated to the officers and members of the Woodvale Defence Association who gave their lives and their freedom in defence of this are. All gave some, some gave all. Quis separabit.” The plaque reads: “This plaque is dedicated to the officers and members of ‘B’ Company WDA (UFF) who gave their lives and their freedom in defence of the Woodvale. Quis separabit.

Ernie “Duke” Elliott came from the Woodvale area and was a founder member of the Woodvale Defence Association in 1971, which was later folded into the UDA. He was also a Marxist. He was killed in a pub brawl in December 1972 in a dispute over weapons (WP | Tele | Watching The Door).

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Flight Of The Earls

2010-12-112024-12-15Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

In 1607 – “400 blıaın” after the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland – 50 years of newly-asserted English control, most recently at the hands of Charles Blount – who defeated the pair in the Nine Years’ War – and Arthur Chichester – who, as O’Donnell is shown reading, was “appointed Lord Deputy in Ireland” in 1605 – compelled Earls Hugh O’Neill of Tyrone and Rory O’Donnell of Tyrconnell to depart Ireland on a ship bound for Spain in order to petition for Spanish support in reclaiming the lands and status they were losing under English rule. They ended up in Rome instead and never returned, ending the period of Gaelic chiefs’ rule in Ireland and making way for the plantation of Ulster.

The pair of plaques on the left indicate that the mural was painted as part of the Re-Imaging Communities Programme’ (top) and launched by President Mary McAleese on June 19th (bottom). Even though the subject was historical, the state funding for the project required the removal of a sword from O’Neill’s right hand; he is shown instead clutching the collar of his cloak. For more on the re-imaging programme, see Visual History 10.

“Imeacht na nIarlaí. I ndıadh 400 blıaın … that the eternal values of liberty and democracy have prevailed and the sons and daughters of the planter and the Gael have found a way to share the land of their birth and live together in peace.”

Ardoyne Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Fallen Fist

2010-12-112024-12-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Tyndale” and “UFF” were originally above and below the fist (see M05695). All three boards have come off the wall.

Tyndale Dragon

2010-11-302024-12-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“The new artwork and community garden replace the last UDA mural to be removed in North Belfast. The aim is to remove the negative images of the past and replace them with positive representations of history and identity. GroundworkNI, Tyndale Community Residents Association, the appointed artists and children from Ballysillan Primary School developed the vision for the project, which drew on themes from local history and incorporated them with the community’s aspirations for the future. The ‘Tyndale Dragon’ was designed by Daniela Balmaverde through consultation with children from Ballysillan Primary School and Tyndale Residents Association. The body of the dragon represents the flowing water of the rivers that ran through Ballysillan and the fire like letters signifies the volcanic history of Cave Hill, the visible feature in this area. Artist Alan Cargo designed the aluminium sculpture called ‘Reflect’. Children from P1-P7 in Ballysillan Primary School drew pictures which ‘reflected’ the things that they liked about their community as well as what they hoped for in the future. These images have been laser etched onto the reflective metal sculpture, which is shaped to represent the Napoleon’s Nose of the nearby Cave Hill. The ripple design through the middle signifies the Farset River that used to run through the local area. The ‘Garden of Reflection’ aims to provide a quiet space for residents to interact and reflect on the past. It creates an area where local people can appreciate the artwork and enjoy the stunning view of Belfast City. The materials used in the garden are sensitive to local history. The limestone paving links into the local limestone quarry, which used to be a source of industry in the area. The words cast into the pathways were chosen by the wider Tyndale community as an expression of their needs and hopes for the future.”