“Sky is not [the] limit – it’s only the beginning” – this is new mental health art from the New Lodge Youth Centre (Fb | previously seen), at the war-wall that separates Lepper Street from Duncairn Avenue, next to the (long-empty) Corner House, suggesting that young people can transcend their earthly bonds and actualise themselves in space.
Lepper Street, New Lodge, north Belfast
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This new mural below Teach Gráınne in the New Lodge features locals Anthony Duffy and Hugh Russell.
Duffy was a youth leader in Artillery and Trinity clubs (Xitter); he died in July of this (2025) year. Russell was a champion boxer in the 80s and then an Irish News photographer; he died in October 2023 (Irish Times).
Painted by young people from Artillery Youth Centre (Fb).
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Here are two IRSP (web) boards and one IRPWA (web) board at Camlough Road on the edge of Derrybeg, Newry. Above, “Stop the genocide – Newry supports Palestine” (Teach Na Fáilte is the IRSP’s ex-prisoners division – Newry Fb); immediately below, “For a socialist republic – ‘He was the only one who truly understood what James Connolly meant when he spoke of his vision of the freedom of the Irish people’ – Nora O’Connolly O’Brien on Seamus Costello”; last below, “End internment – Portlaoise, Maghaberry, Hydebank”.
October:
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This is one of four Celtic crosses raised to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Burning Of Long Kesh in 1974 and, in this specific instance, to pay tribute to local Derrybeg volunteer Davey Morley, camp OC of the Provisionals, who gave the order for the camp to be burned (Pensive Quill).
Morley died in 1987, at age 46, possibly suffering the aftereffects of CR gas (The Blanket | Only Our Rivers).
Images of the December 2024 launch can be seen on Newry.LN’s Fb page.
Derrybeg Park, Newry. For the cross in Derry, see Our Fight For Freedom.
“There are special people in our lives who never leave us even after they are gone. In loving memory of all the men that have passed away since the burning of Long Kesh 15th & 16th October 1974. Rest in peace. Also remembering the blanket men and women, all republicans who have lost their lives in our fight for freedom. Rest in peace.”
“This cross is to commemorate the burning of Long Kesh 1974 on the 50th anniversary of that event. Strategically placed here in Derrybeg, the home of Vol. Davey Morley officer commanding (OC) of the 4th battalion IRA Long Kesh. Vol. Davey Morley ordered the burning of the camp on the 15th Oct 74 after years of provaocation [sic] from prison authorities and their screws against POWs and their visitors. This was the largest head-to-head combat between the British Army and republican POWs since 1916. Republican POWs took on the might of the well-armed British forces that were firing baton rounds and CR gas flares from helicopters causing serious injuries to unarmed POWs and potentially the death of hundreds of men years after from the effects of CR gas (an illegal substance) i.e. chemical warfare the use of which is still denied to this day by the British government. Through the efforts of the burning and CR gas group we continue to fight for the truth. This memorial is jointly dedicated by the CR gas and the Burning of Long Kesh Newry Felons association. Unveiled by the widow of Davey Morley, Eilish Morley.”
A poem on the back of the cross reads:
“Oh mother of mine, I committed no crime
So please do not weep when they bury me deep
Because here in this ground with my comrades I sleep
The spirit of freedom they can never defeat.
No defeat in the battle, no defeat in the war
No defeat as in death, just our hearts you have tore
Continuing tears our people do shed
For this country of ours and its patriot dead
But one day we will be free, my comrades and me
So dear mother don’t weep, I am only asleep
Put a kiss on my head and a flower at my feet
And remember together we can never be beat!”
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Here are three pieces (two boards and a statue) celebrating Willie Maley, who was born in Newry barracks in 1868 – his father was a sergeant in the 21st Regiment Of Foot. The following year the family moved to Scotland. Maley played in midfield for Celtic and made two international appearances for Scotland. He became manager in 1897 at the age of 29 and steered the club to sixteen league championships and fourteen Scottish Cups.
The board (above) in Mourne View Park (Mourne View is built on the site of the infantry barracks – the old walls are still standing): “The man who made Celtic – Willie Maley – founder member & player 1888, Celtic manager 1897-1940.” “It’s not the creed nor his nationality that counts. It’s the man himself.” “A man must be a Celt on & off the field, otherwise he is no value to this Club.”
The board is at the bottom of Mourne View Park in Erskine Street, on the south side of the barracks: “The Celtic vision was born here. William Patrick Maley born here 25th April 1868, the military barracks, Newry, died 2nd April, 1958, Glasgow.” “My love for Celtic has been a craze, without it my experience would be empty indeed.”
The statue is at the junction of Camlough Road and Monaghan Row and was launched in 2023 (Newry.ie): “”Mr. Celtic” William Patrick Maley. 43 years as Glasgow Celtic’s first ever manager, winning 19 league titles & over 40 other trophies as player/manager. “It’s not the creed nor his nationality that counts. It’s the man himself.” Born in Newry 25th April 1868. Glasgow Celtic fans will always fondly remember Mr Willie Maley.”
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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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On the left of this Newry memorial is a list of the “1916 Easter Rising Leaders executed by the British government: Thomas Clarke, Padraig Pearse, Thomas Mac Donagh, Joseph Plunkett, Willie Pearse, Ned Daly, Michael O’Hanrahan John Mac Bride, Eamonn Ceannt, Sean Heuston, Con Colbert, Michael Mallin, Thomas Kent, Sean Mac Diarmada, James Connolly, Roger Casement.”
On the right are five members of the local Óglaıgh na hÉıreann: Patrick Hughes, Edward Grant, Michael Hughes, Brendan Watters, Colum Marks.” Michael Hughes/Mıcheál Ó hAodha is commemorated at the western entrance to the estate and the plaque also mentions the death of his father, Patsy, and the death by premature explosion of his friend Eddie Grant in 1973. Brendan Watters likewise died by premature explosion (UPI). There is a memorial stone in Downpatrick at the spot where Colum Marks was killed.
Included last below is a Saoradh (web) board: “End British political policing”.
Second Avenue, Derrybeg, Newry, next to the new commemoration of the Burning Of Long Kesh.
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Each season is illustrated by a bird: spring by a wren or lark, summer by a blue tit, autumn by a magpie, and winter by a robin.
Also included (last below) are “Don’t Be A Litter-Bug” and ?batman?.
All three boxes are on Bell Steel Road, next to the shops/Bell Steel Manor.
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Kneecap were back in town opening for the Fontaines DC at Belfast Vital at the Boucher Road playing fields on Friday (BBC) (and an after-party at the Beehive) before zipping down to the Electric Picnic festival in Laois. At both concerts they were outspoken in their support for Palestinians in Gaza, as well as criticising the DUP, Alliance (Belfast Live), McDonald’s and Kemi Badenoch (Irish Examiner). In each of the past three years, the band has added to the wall at the corner of Hawthorn Street and Cavendish Street (see in order: Incendiary Device, England Get Out Of Ireland, and Kneecap’s Fine Art) and it is now full with the addition of “Free Palestine – Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people” below the chimneys.
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“In our community no one walks in the darkness alone.” West Wellbeing (web) offers counselling and suicide-prevention services from its offices in the Dairyfarm centre on the Stewartstown Road. This new mural – by Glen Molly (ig) – is a little further along the road, just past Bell Steel Road.
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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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In 2008 thick metal walls were added to both sides of the Finaghy railway bridge in order to prevent the possibility of a car falling onto the tracks (BelTel | BBC | Belfast Media), as had happened in Yorkshire, England, in 2001, causing ten deaths (WP). The result was a “brutalist eyesore” (Belfast Live) that was often covered in tags (there is a good picture at the top of this Belfast Media article from 2024).
The bridge been given a floral facelift by Visual Waste (web) but not everyone has the same interpretation of the new art: one local resident complained that the background was “Sınn Féın green” and that the “graffiti” would lower property values (Belfast Live).
Finaghy Road North. Also included below are painted electrical boxes by Danni Simpson (web) from 2023 at the nearby junction of the Finaghy roads and the Upper Lisburn Road.
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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Paddy Duffy Collection 