Belfast north

Loyalist Donegall Park Avenue/Ascaıll Pháırc Donegall Dílseach

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The full Belfast City Council last week overturned a committee decision to place dual-language (English and Irish) street-signs only on the CNR parts of long roads that pass through both CNR and PUL areas (Belfast Live). A TUV councillor at the meeting promised that any new signs would be “cut down” (BelTel) but the motion was carried by 31 votes to 25.

Currently at issue are Donegall Park Avenue, Oldpark Road, and Skegoneill Road. Donegall Park Avenue reaches a PUL area of the Shore Road at its eastern end, the site of the recent bonfire and anti-immigrant banners. In protest at the plan, and to make the identity of the area clear, the current street-sign at the junction has been papered over with “Loyalist Donegall Park Avenue”.

The policy statement on street-signs can be found at the Council’s web site (pdf).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T09538 T09537

Open Season

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Open gates. Open borders. Open season. Your sheep. Their feast.” Politicians from Sınn Féın, the SDLP, Alliance, and People Before Profit are shown opening the gates for masked and armed men who are coming from the sea and bidding them to enter a sheepfold of “our constituents”.

The PSNI are investigating the banner as a “hate incident” (rather than a “hate crime” – see A New Evil for the difference) (BelTel). The banner was later (July 1st) removed and replaced with Union Flags and an Ulster Banner (Belfast Media | News Letter).

Shore Road, north Belfast

Update, July 3rd: the banner has been restored – see the Seosamh Mac Coılle collection.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T09446 T09444c T09445 T09443

Shore Crescent Bonfire

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Shore Crescent prepares for Eleventh Night with a bonfire and a large sign explaining the positive impact of the tradition:

“Shore Crescent bonfire – a proud loyalist tradition. Standing firm in our heritage, our loyalty & our values. Faith – loyalty – respect – heritage. [The bonfire …] Celebrates our heritage – honours our history, culture and the sacrifices made by those who went before us; strengthens our community – brings families, friends and neighbours together, building unity, pride and a sense of belonging; affirms our loyalty – a clear and proud expression of our loyalty to the Crown and the United Kingdom; educates & remembers – teaches future generations the importance of our traditions and the true meaning behind them; promotes respect & pride – shows respect for our values and beliefs and promotes pride in being Loyalist; supports local [groups] & raises funds – helps support local groups, charities and initiatives that make a real difference; secures our future – by standing together today, we protect our identity, freedom and way of life for tomorrow. One tradition. One community. One loyal people. Shore Crescent loyal.”

Next to Loughside Playground, Shore Road, north Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
[T09447] T09448 T09449

Times Bar

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A memorial service was held at the Times Bar on Friday (June 5th) (News Letter) to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the attack on the Times Bar in 1976, in which Edward McMurray and Robert Groves were killed by a republican bomb. (An image of the bombed bar can be found on Xitter.)

Three plaques were added to the memorial garden where the service took place, to William Haddock, James Smyth, and William Flynn. (Compare to 2019.)

As the images from May 10th, below, show, a painted mural was originally planned for the spot.

May 10th:

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T09220 [T09221] T09223 T09222
T09081 T09082
T09224 T09225 T09226

Gormley

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley has been honoured with a new mural in his native Ardoyne. He is Cliftonville’s all-time leading goal-scorer, with more than 300 goals. He has recently signed for the forthcoming (2026-2027) season, which he says will be his last (BBC).

Velsheda Court, Ardoyne. There was previously a board to Joe The Goal in Berwick Road.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T09199 [T09200] [T09198] T09197c

Clann Lır

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This scene from the story of Clann Lır (the Children Of Lear) appears to be the moment that Aoıfe casts a spell that turns her four step-children into swans on Loch Daırbhreach.

Painted by Loretta Lizzio (web) at the same time (2023-09) as her Dark Dreamer on the Oldpark Road, just below the first Cliftonville roundabout.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T08861 T08860 T08859 T08862

Liberation

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Saoradh describes itself as an all-Ireland, revolutionary, socialist, republican party (web) with the IRPWA (web) as its “prisoners’ welfare” department and Éıstıgí as its youth wing. The “revolutionary” is perhaps in reference to its (alleged) association with the New IRA.

Brompton Park/Havana Way, Ardoyne, north Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T08813