Belfast

In Memory Of Ian Ogle

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This is (at least) the third different tarp at the entrance to Cluan Place in memory of Ian Ogle, who was killed on the evening of January 27th, 2019. Five people have been found guilty of the murder and officially received their sentences in March; four others have been convicted of lesser charges (BBC | ITv | Belfast Media | Judiciary NI).

The small board “In memory of Ian Ogle” (immediately below) is also a recent addition.

For the previous tarps and background on Ogle’s death, see 2022 (burned), 2022 (unmolested), and 2020.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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At The Going Down Of The Sun

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The memorial garden in Barrington Gardens at long last appears to be finished. The house on the corner of Donegall Road was knocked down in 2012 or 2013 and work began converting the waste ground into a memorial to local Great War casualties in late November 2023. See this entry for images from both November 2023 and October 2024.

Since 2024, three pillars have been added below the main board, one each for the 10th (Irish) Division, 36th (Ulster) Division, and 16th (Irish Division) – for the service of the three divisions, see The Cost Of War, We Are The Dead, and (for the particular story of John Meeke and Willie Redmond) Comrades In Arms – and an iron bench to the 36th has been placed below the crests of the YCV, Inniskilling Fusiliers, Royal Irish Fusiliers, and the Royal Irish Rifles on the side-wall to the left.

Silhouetted graveside mourners appear on either side of the main board and in the gates to the garden

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The Sea Walls

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This is new street art by Friz (web) and KVLR (web) and Rob Hilken (web) in Bank Square, presenting a contemporary take on the Belfast coat of arms – the original can be seen in this City Council page.

Belfast became a city in 1888 and from that time onward the sea-horse on the right – both officially and in the new piece – wears around its neck a “mural crown”, a crown that looks like the walls of a city.

The wolf in the official coat of arms is “gorged and chained”. In the new art, the only sign of the wolf’s chain is the metal zipper slider on its tracksuit.

(An 1892 book (archive.org) claims that the chained wolf, while itself a familiar image in heraldry and civic arms, is borrowed specifically from the Chichester coat of arms in tribute to Arthur Chichester, prosecutor of the Nine Years’ War against the O’Neills in Ulster and subsequently Lord Deputy Of Ireland and developer of the village of Belfast into a town (DIB | WP), but we can find no other source to this effect nor any image of the Chichester arms that includes supporters.)

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Forever Changes

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Love’s 1967 album ‘Forever Changes’ (listen on youtube) features the faces of the five band-members pressed together into the shape of a heart, or Africa. The bottom face was originally drawn (by Bob Pepper) without a smile (WP).

By Graffic (ig) on Hollywood Road, east Belfast, on the shutters of the Bill Harris hair salon.

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Mary Ann McCracken

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“Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866) Abolitionist, educator, social reformer and businesswoman. Sheas Mary Ann an fód ar son na mbocht, na mban, na bpáıstí agus ar son sıúd a bhí faoı dhaoırse. [Mary Ann stood up for the poor, women, children, and for those who were enslaved.]”

“Mary Ann McCracken’s feminist ideals and commitment to the principles of Equality, Liberty, Fraternity applying equally to the Rights of Woman defined her participation in the United Irish Movement.” For McCracken’s connection to the 1798 Rebellion, see These Are Times That Try Men’s Souls.

McCracken is shown handing out abolitionist leaflets that picture a pleading enslaved woman above the words “Am I not a woman and a sister?” The same supplicant image is on the medallion (perhaps made by Wedgwood for the Society For The Abolition Of The Slave Trade – WP) worn at her throat. See also: The Blots On The Page Are So Black and The World Affords No Enjoyment Equal To That Of Promoting The Happiness Of Others.

The statue was unveiled in the grounds of Belfast City hall together with a statue to Winifred Carney on International Women’s Day (March 8th) 2024; both statues were produced by Ralf and Naomi Sander (BCC).

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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The Craic Is Not Wack

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Boombox-head, computer-head, and light-bulb-head are having a good time in this new piece by Leo Boyd (web) on the Cupar Way war-wall (or: “peace” line), riffing on a vintage Keith Haring piece, 1986’s Crack Is Wack.

See also: other recent work by Leo in the same style and the same characters; Don’t Look Wack by FGB in Bangor.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Park Life

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Various street artists and writers painted the underpass at the end of Kyle Street that goes into Victoria Park (Belfast City Council). Here (top to bottom) is work by Friz (web), emic (web), GWELO, Wee Nuls (web), NOYS (ig), Rob Hilken (web), BORE, FGB (web), Imogen Donegan (ig), Jam (ig) + GoodRobottt (ig), Danni Simpson (web) + Karl Fenz (web)

With support from the Eastside Partnership (web), Connswater Greenway (web), and National Trust (web).

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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