“Keep it clean.” “Tidy Tanya” in pink stands guard over the nature on the right side of the riverbank, protecting it from “Messy Mutt” who lies sleeping amongst rubbish on the left bank.
This environmentally-themed art goes back at least to 2011.
Springfield Road, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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This Sınn Féın Youth/Maıréad Farrell Youth Committee banner uses Martin Luther King to advocate for non-violent protest (featured previously in Always Avoid Violence). Below is a call to attend a 41st-anniversary commemoration of the 1981 hunger strike.
Beechmount Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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Visca Catalunya Lliure – Ireland stands with Catalonia” – tarp above the newsagents at the junction of Springfield Drive and Springfield Road, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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Upon news of Queen Elizabeth’s death, the platinum jubilee mural at the bottom of Crimea Street became a memorial, with hundreds of bouquets being laid before it and a “wall of condolences” set up. (For the mural itself, see The People’s Monarch.) In addition, to the right-hand side has been added a small commemoration of her passing, with a quote from her son, the newly acceded King Charles:
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world”; “Long live the king!”
The fifteen commonwealth “realms” (previously called “dominions”) share a monarch – formerly Elizabeth II and now Charles III – while the commonwealth comprises 41 additional nations, including some which are now republics: Barbados, for example, became a republic on November 30th last year (2021) but is still in the Commonwealth (WP). Additional countries might take the passing of Elizabeth as a suitable juncture at which to sever ties (Edinburgh News has a round-up | for the Bahamas see Caribbean National Weekly | for Canada see Toronto Star).
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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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Paintings of two WWI memorials are side-by-side across from the Bayardo bombing memorial.
Above: “Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.” “To the armies of the British empire who stood here from 1914 to 1918 and to those of the dead who have no grave.” “Pro patria, pro rege.” Almost 55,000 names are inscribed on the memorial.
Below: “Thiepval Memorial – to the missing of the Somme”. The names of over 72,000 dead are inscribed on the memorial (WP | travelfranceonline).
Aberdeen Street, Shankill, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2009/2010/2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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“Only by remembering these men, and others like them, can we ever repay their memory.” Nine Victoria Cross recipients from the 36th (Ulster) Division in World War I are honoured in this board on the Shankill at the Co-Op (which was previously across the road in Crimea Street).
The nine are (from 1917 and 1918) E[dmund] De Wind, E[rnest] Seaman, C[ecil] L[eonard] Knox, N[orman] Harvey, (from 1916) G[eoffrey] St. G[eorge] S[hillington] Cather, W[illiam] F[rederick] McFadzean, E[ric] N[orman] F[rankland] Bell, R[obert] Quigg, and J[ames] S[amuel] Emerson.
The illustrations come from Cyril Falls’s book The History Of The 36th (Ulster) Division (from Project Gutenberg).
The poem In Flanders’ Fields is by Canadian John McCrea.
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Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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The red hand of Ulster in three configurations: “We are proud, defiant, welcoming.” The polaroids show images of the blitz, the Twelfth, sports, murals. The location of the mural is designed to be seen by tourists travelling between the International Wall and the Shankill.
Mural by Blaze FX on Northumberland Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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“Demand dignity – end forced evictions. Justice, hope, homes, rights, security.” Dollar bills spew from the exhaust pipes of bulldozers driven by cigar-smoking financiers as they bear down on a chain of protesters in this Amnesty International board at the corner of Northumberland and Beverley Streets. “Join Amnesty and take action for human rights worldwide http://www.amnesty.org.uk/join”
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Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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Pallets are being collection in the lower Shankill estate for the Eleventh night bonfire. In the background, King Billy is shown in a mural moving (unusually) from right to left.
A plaque reads, “This mural is dedicated to the past, present & future members of Clifton St Orange Orders from Pride Of The West flute band & Lower Shankill community. REM 1690. Officially opened by Billy Lochrie.”
Shankill Parade, lower Shankill estate, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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“Nothing about us without us is for us …” From the info board: “The title of this artwork reflects a slogan used internationally, where social and political change has been paramount. It is understood that such change emerges only through true and thorough consultation with the community and that is the wish of residents of Lower Shankill – to affect [sic] social change move forward through collaboration with decision makers and government at every level.This digital installation has been created by artist Lesley Cherry who has worked intensively with the Lower Shankill Community Association and members of the community to produce hundreds of positive images which reflect the need for change and consultation within that process, the ensure a better future for all.
As part of the Re-Imaging Communities Programme, led by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, this artwork replaces previous murals of The Malvern Street Arch, [and before that] The Queen Mother [probably intended is the QEII golden jubilee mural] and [before that] The Scottish Brigade [this mural was in fact three walls to the right; prior to the QEII mural was a UFF mural].”
Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill estate, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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