Snow Patrol’s fourth album, Eyes Open, was released twenty years ago, in April 2006, and went on to be the best-selling album of the year (WP). The celebrate the anniversary, Jossie Pops (web) recreated the album’s cover in Bangor, home of the band’s guitarist Gary Lightbody.
Southwell Road, Bangor
In-progress images from June 17th:
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There is a ‘blue plaque’ outside the Trident bar in Bangor’s High Street, to commemorate its role in the punk movement of the late 1970s (BBC | Guardian). The bands listed on this painted electrical box are Ruefrex (web), Stiff Little Fingers (web), Rudi (Something Hard), The Doubt (Irish Rock), The Androids (Spit), The Outcasts (Faster & Louder).
The bar is referenced in the SLF song “Alternative Ulster” (lyrics). Despite the claim that “there’s nothing for us in Belfast”, there is a plaque remembering the punk scene outside the Harp Bar – see Belfast Has The Reason.
By Cha Cha (ig), one building up from the Trident (Wolsey’s), High Street, Bangor
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Cherry blossoms along Drumhirk Drive, Kilcooley, Bangor. For the UVF board to McCosh And Hamilton to the left of the wide shot, see The Pride O Oor Land Lie Cauld In The Clay.
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Here are the results of a recent paint-jam in the Project 24 space near Bangor Marina. From top to bottom (left to right on the wall):
Nozzle-headed cats by ?Imogen Donegan (ig) and Ana Fish (ig)?,
a spooky sprayer by Critter (ig),
a toothsome skull by ANCO and (A)SEK (ig) of TMN,
a (painted and not in fact) sewn face by Codo (ig),
a cigarette smoker by Féoıl (ig),
a smiling shark by Keyto (ig), and
writing by TORE
2025-12 Twist The Sinews Of Thy Heart
2025-06 Love All Round Ye
2025-04 Shrunken Heads
2024-11 Zoom! (which includes Glen Molloy’s remaining JOHNDEN piece, which can be seen in the wide shot, below)
2024-04 How About This For Art?
2023-11 Stop Ruining Art
2023-04 Around Every Corner
2023-01 This Is Not The Same As Every Day
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Here is a trio of inspirational and mental-health messages on the wall of Bangor Foodbank & Community Support Resource Centre (web).
The first panel shows people tossing a ball around in McKee Clock Arena (WP), with the message, “No matter how educated, talented, rich, or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all”.
The second shows children under dark clouds, bound by the chains of social media and alcohol that can be broken by a dove.
The third shows people climbing the hills around Scrabo tower, illustrating the message, “You have two hands, one to help yourself, the second to help others”.
Painted by “Stephen Greer art & design” (web) in Balloo Avenue, Bangor.
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This pair of masks is outside Studio 1A in Hamilton Road, Bangor.
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Here is another gallery of the frequently-refreshed Project24 space on Queen’s Parade, Bangor, with new work by Keyto (ig), Féoil (ig) and others.
Previous galleries:
2025-06 Love All Round Ye
2025-04 Shrunken Heads
2024-11 Zoom!
2024-04 How About This For Art?
2023-11 Stop Ruining Art
2023-04 Around Every Corner
2023-01 This Is Not The Same As Every Day
The final two images are from the front of the road, from Thick As Thieves Streetwear.
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Here are the results of a paint-jam at Seacourt Prints (web) in Bangor at the end of September. The “peace” above is by Rob Hilken (web); the artists for the other pieces are noted beneath the individual photos.
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British Army forces were deployed to Northern Ireland On August 14th, 1969, under the operational name “Operation Banner”. It began as peace-keeping, in co-operation with the RUC, but soon became a counter-insurgency operation, which lasted until the Agreement in 1994 and officially ended, under a provision in the Agreement, on July 31st, 2007.
These plaques are beside the front door of the Royal British Legion in Hamilton Road, Bangor. The social club associated with the branch closed in May (Co Down Spectator).
“This plaque is to celebrate the platinum jubilee reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1952-2022. This plaque was presented by the Ulster Defence Regiment CGC Bangor Branch and the Royal British Legion Bangor Branch.”
“Operation Banner (14th August 1969 – 31st July 2007) This stone is dedicated to all members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and Civilian Emergency Services who served during Operation Banner from Bangor and the surrounding District. ‘As Poppy Petals gently fall, remember us who gave our all/not in the mud of foreign lands nor buried in the desert sands/in Ulster field and farms and town/Fermanagh’s lanes and drumlin’d Down/we died that violent death should cease/and Ulstermen might live in peace.'”
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Paddy Duffy Collection 