Workers Of The World Unite

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“We always knew who was ‘essential’ and who keeps our society going … the working class. Thank you to all our members – keeping the country up and running.” Transport House, built in 1959 and once home of the TGWU, has been vacant and there have been plans to renovate it since at least 2019, without any apparent movement, perhaps due to the expense involved (tw). The modern union, Unite (tw), is supposed to move into it upon completion (tw).

The entrance to the building has been boarded up since 2012. For the previous art on the hoarding, see Unite The Union (one | two). The new (computer-generated and -printed) mural shows a graffitist surreptitiously painting a pro-union message.

Brendan Harkin has a gallery of images of the interior on Twitter.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Homeless Jesus

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‘Homeless Jesus’ shows a person with crucified feet sleeping outdoors on a bench. It was designed by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz (web). The original is at the University Of Toronto and there are now well over 100 of them at churches and other public sites around the world (WP). This one is outside the Centenary House offices of Salvation Army, in Dunbar Link.

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A Place For Everyone

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“I loved it here, and still miss it. The characters that came into the shop … and I miss the craic!” The advertising hoardings at the corner of Ligoniel and Crumlin roads have been replaced with this community alcove with pavers and a space for “sharing positive stories together” at “the turn of the road” from Ballysillan towards Ligoniel village. The plaque to the UDA’s Bill Reynolds, which stood on the building where he was killed until the building was demolished (see the old plaque) and then replaced with a new plaque next to the hoarding, has been included.

“In loving memory [UDA] Lt. Col. Bill Reynolds murdered [by the IRA] 7-7-87. Always remembered by his family, friends and comrades. Quis separabit.”

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The Storyteller

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Local storyteller Hugh Dillon in Castle Street, Ballycastle, by JMK (Jonny McKerr). The original photograph, of Dillon in Leyland Road, Ballycastle, in 1956 and is available at Dúchas.

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McKelvey & Steele

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This tarp, above the office of Sınn Féın Poblachtach and the Happy House on the Falls Road, celebrates two previous generations of IRA leadership. Joe McKelvey was commander of the Belfast Brigade of the IRA in the War Of Independence but against the Treaty; he was executed in December, 1922, for occupying the Four Courts in June (WP). Jimmy Steele was a leader in the Belfast IRA from the 1920s to 1960s and the first editor of Republican News; he died shortly after the split (WP).

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Be My Voice

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Two cases are currently under deliberation concerning the establishment of abortion services in Northern Ireland after the vote in Westminster during the suspension of Stormont. One, heard in May, was taken by the NI Human Rights Commission in support of services (BBC), and the other, heard last week, was brought by SPUC (web) alleges that the NI Secretary lacks the authority to direct Stormont to establish services (BBC).

The pro-life stencil shown here is on the Antrim Road, below the Fortwilliam shops.

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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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Sorley Boy

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Somhaırle Buí Mac Domhnaıll (Gaeılge) / Somhaırle Buıdhe Mac Domhnaıll (Gàıdhlıg) / Sorley Boy MacDonnell (English) was so-called (Buí/Buıdhe) because of his “yellow” hair. Although his family was from the islands, he was born just outside Ballycastle in 1505 and is known for establishing the Mac Donnells in Antrim and for frustrating the plantation (WP | Tudor & Stuart Perspectives).

The mural was painted by Oliver McParland (web) in North Street, Ballycastle.

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Keys Cut While You Wait

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Here’s one from inside the modern-day Smithfield market, showing people browsing the shops in the old market, including Havelin’s key-cutting and Hall’s book shop – both have gone out of existence.

Two previous paintings: Smithfield Market

See also this street art celebrating the old market: Old Smithfield and Like A Souk In An Hibernian Casablanca

From the new market: My Old Toy Box | Their Only Colour Was Khaki

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Lost In Simulation

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If we were to guess, humans probably spend more time in simulation – imagining the past, the future, other minds, other situations, with and without the aid of books, games, TV/movies, internet – than in experience, and the pandemic has not helped at all. It’s a weird world, represented by Leo Boyd (web | ig | Fb).

Donegall Street, Belfast.

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From The Plough To The Stars

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“A free Ireland will control its own destiny from the plough to the stars.” James Connolly explained the significance of “the plough in the stars” (Ursa Major) as a symbol of Irish revolutionary socialism (People’s World). He and Seamus Costello, heroes of the IRSP (web) are painted on James Connolly house in Chamberlain Street, Derry. Also home to Teach Na Fáılte, the Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners group.

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