Month: November 2023

Ignite Tradition

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“A taste of tradition: Whiterock flute band. Est. 1962. West Belfast, Northern Ireland. New Barnsley, Moyard, Springmartin, Woodvale, Whiterock, Springfield, Highfield, Shankill.” The Whiterock Flute Band board at the top of the Shankill has been updated to reflect the changing of the monarch – the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of Charles III – and also to mark the band’s 60th anniversary in 2022.

The memorial to Elizabeth on the left-hand side replaces the memorial to Alex Thompson (seen in 2021) which had been appended to the 50th anniversary board (A Taste Of Tradition). Thompson is included at the top of the next column, “recognition of loyal service”. The columns on either side of the emblem show photographs from the various deacdes, including the 50th anniversary celebrations. Above the doorways are the names of “members past and present” above drawings by local children of “my favourite image” and a link for the band’s music.

“Embrace the past. Ignite tradition. Inspire the future.” Whiterock Flute Band appear to have fallen under the influence of a public-relations consultant.

November 21st:

September 18th, 2022:

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community cohesion with local children

Up The Cregagh

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If you’re riding Shank’s mare, the combined length of the Cregagh and Woodstock roads is two miles; where they meet (opposite Ravenhill Avenue) you’ll find this new street-art by Zippy (ig) with support from Decowell Restoration (web), Bethany Fruit (web) and Astrl Fibres (ig), and funding from Belfast City Council).

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Beırıgí Bua

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“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh sıad.” Profiles of Patricia Black, Frankie Ryan, Michael Ferguson, and Sean Keenan were added in late 2021 (video of launch) to the pair of existing monuments that memorialise them in Colin/Poleglass (for which see The Undauntable Thought on Peter’s site).

Black and Ryan were IRA volunteers killed by in a premature bomb explosion near London (An Phoblacht).

Michael Ferguson and Seán Keenan were activists and Sınn Féın councillors. Both died in 2006 of cancer (Irish Times | Bel Tel).

On Pantridge Road, which runs down to Michael Ferguson roundabout (An Phoblacht).

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Outsiders

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Visual Waste (ig) reproduced a Terry Bradley (web) painting of a docker from the parlour (ig) of Outsiders Male Grooming (ig) on the gable of the business. The tattoo on the shoulder is the Tragedy & Comedy masks but with the titles “Sorrow” and “Pain” within “Mum (heart) Dad Forever”.

Bingham Lane, Bangor

Other Bradley dockers can be found at the Lanark Way security gates and in the Titanic Quarter.

Another Bradley in Bangor is Don’t Look Back.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Defending Our Traditions

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This is the new Vanguard Bears (web) board at the Ulster Rangers Supporters’ Club on the Shankill Road. It replaces the board that celebrated the 55th championships of Rangers and Linfield. In the close-up above of the left-hand side, below King Charles III and formed into the numeral 66, are the names of the fans who were crushed to death as they left Ibrox after the Old Firm derby on January 2nd, 1971 (WP).

There used to be a Vanguard Bears board in Sugarfield Street, on the other side of the Shankill Road – see The Boys In Blue – and another is still in place in Barrington Street (Sandy Row) – see Follow, Follow.

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Stop Ruining Art

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Here is a galley of images of the street art from a November, 2023, jam in Bangor, from PENS (ig), Ana Fish (ig), FGB (ig), Soaring Tides (ig). There were also jams in April (Around Every Corner) and January 2023 (This Is Not The Same As Other Days). The wall is off Queen’s Parade in the Bangor Marine regeneration area (DfC | Bangor By The Sea).

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season of the bad guys

The Musicians

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Here are images of the ever-growing – so far a dozen strong – band of musicians by Ciaran Gallagher (ig) in the courtyard of the Dark Horse.

Above the doorway are the Rapparees (ig), who play in the Duke Of York on Sundays.

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Nilüfer At cello, Juram dobro, Ursula Burns harp, fiddle, Nicky Larkin accordion
guitar, Ray bodhrán, tin whistle, mandolin, Buzz uileann pipes, singer
piano, maracas, bazouki, ukulele, tin whistle, bongo

When You Have To Go

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If you act the bollix at the Dark Horse or Duke Of York, one of the bouncers in black might let you know that you have to go. No one is exceptional – above (and on the far right of the piece as a whole), owner Willie Jack (and his MBE medal – Independent) are sent flying. The large piece showing actual bouncers (Belfast Live) is by Ciaran Gallagher (web), adding to his many installations in the courtyard of the Dark Horse – see The Undertones for links.

Below are three humorous signs for the crapper/toilets/bogs – for when you have to go.

For the musicians, see The Musicians.

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