Magnús Óláfsson – Magnus Barelegs – was king of Norway from 1093 to 1103 and raided settlements in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the isle of Man, and Sweden. During a second campaign around the Irish Sea he was killed somewhere near the River Quoile, which flows through Downpatrick, and was buried close to St Patrick’s church. (WP) The Magnus Viking Association (Fb) hosts an annual Magnus Viking festival.
The mural is by friz (web) in Church Street, Downpatrick.
Sinn Féın leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill intend to travel to the USA for St Patrick’s Day, despite US support for Israel in its sustained attack on Gaza (Indo). The SDLP has said that it will not travel to the White House (Bel Tel). Sinn Féın say they will use the trip to promote business opportunities in Northern Ireland. The Taoıseach will also be in DC, while the Tánaıste will be in Vancouver (Breaking News).
Martin Meehan joined the IRA in 1966 and was one of a few IRA volunteers defending Catholics in Ardoyne (Ard Eoın) in August 1969. Rioting did not cease there until the 16th, when British troops were finally deployed to the Crumlin Road to block mobs coming from the Woodvale and Shankill. Meehan resigned after the failure of the IRA to defend Ardoyne, Clonard, and Divis. This Magill article from the time summarises the IRA’s actions as “late, amateur and uncertain”. (Meehan would later rejoin the IRA and PIRA.)
Five steps to mental health – give, connect, be active, take notice, keep learning – and affirmations to live by, such as “This is me”, “You’re a superstar”, “I am what I am”, and “Simply the best“. Part of the Shankill SAFE (Safer Areas For Everyone) project in the Woodvale, with support from Alternatives and the Communities In Transition programme.
From the info board: “#ItsOKToTalk” “This art project was completed as part of Alternative – Safer Areas For Everyone (SAFE) project. The young people involved identified mental health as the theme for their art project and incorporated positive mental health messages & support numbers to highlight the issue. The group also identified the “Steps” area as the location for the art work, to help brighten up the area which had become unsightly, neglected and a focus for anti-social behaviour. This project also engaged with the residents through door to door surveys, provided information leaflets on support services and organised community clean ups to help improve community pride & spirit in the area. Special thanks to Jamie, Dylan, Kyle, Corey and Mason who showed positive leadership in their community, to street artist Emic & Sam from Signlink for the art work & graphics and to the local residents and young people who were involved in the clean ups. SAFE Shankill is supported by the The Executive Office through Communities In Transition programme.”
“The Reds” are Belfast soccer team Cliftonville FC. Although the team and their fans are “The Pride Of North Belfast”, this poster is on an electrical box on the Springfield Road, west Belfast.
Geometrical work by Rob Hilken (web). This is an awkward one to photograph, being in an alley between a hamburger restaurant and an insurance broker’s on the Belmont Road, east Belfast.
This is one of five pieces by digital artist Saïd Hassan (ig) that is being painted on the International Wall as part of the Painting For Palestine (Fb) project. It shows a family of refugees living in a tent; the female adult is cooking over an open flame while three children look on.
This is the last (right-most) of the 12 murals.
The image above is from February 18th. Most of the mural was painted quickly but then it sat for many days without two of the faces and an unfinished patch on the right. This image (below) was taken on January 24th:
This face is by Birmingham graffiti artist Fum.Armada (ig), in Union Street, Belfast. There is another from North Street in the Extramural Activity collection.
Paddy Duffy Collection 