Belfast

Still Undefeated

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The UVF mural in Carlingford Street, east Belfast, that the one shown here replaces was controversial at the time (2013) because of its proposed inclusion of two hooded gunmen in fatigues firing into the air. In response to the concerns expressed, the final version put both figures in WWI uniforms and had only one firing into the air – the other gazed downward in prayer – and the modern UVF was referenced only in the forms of the towers and cages of Long Kesh and of a roll of honour. (See Years Of Sacrifice for both the draft and final murals.)

The cages are retained in this new board but the depiction of violence is more explicit here than in the proposed mural a decade ago: at the centre of this piece is a hooded gunman carrying an assault rifle.

For the wider context of re-imaging and re-re-imaging (that is, the disappearance and return of PUL hooded gunmen), see Visual History 11.)

Long Kesh’s cages are also included in a Shankill board to Stevie McCrea – A True Soldier Of Ulster.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Ulster Volunteers 1912 Ulster Covenant In memory of all friends & comrades of the cosy bar east belfast

Ormeau Bridge At Night

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Ormeau bridge (Street View) is a stone arch bridge between the Ormeau and Stranmillis embankments of the Lagan river, designed by Charles Lanyon and opened in 1863.

This mural of the bridge is by London artist DanK (ig), commissioned by the Lower Ormeau Traders’ Association using a Vibrant Business Destinations grant from the Council, funded by the Department For Communities ‘Revitalisation’ programme (of these, only Vibrant Businesses (web) appears to have an on-line presence). The mural will be officially launched today (Saturday March 16th) as part of a Spring Festival between noon and three. (Belfast Media)

In University Street, south Belfast, looking away from the bridge.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Carson’s Volunteers

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From the info board (barely visible but mostly out of shot to the right):

“This mural is dedicated to the men and women of Willowfield. In 1912 the 3rd Home Rule bill was introduced and passed by Parliament, and although defeated 3 times by the house of Lords it was sent for Royal assent. On 9th April 1912 over 200,000 unionists attended a rally at Balmoral including the Orange Order and Unionist Clubs which had marched from the city centre. Here they were addressed by among others, Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Irish Unionist Party. On 28th September nearly 500,000 men and women signed the Ulster Covenant. Factories and the Shipyard in Belfast were idle and silent, allowing their workers the opportunity to attend church and then to congregate at the City Hall. 3,242 men and women from Willowfield signed the Covenant, some in their own blood. They then formed into the 2nd Willowfield Battalion of the East Belfast Regiment U.V.F. commanded by Dr. William Gibson. They drilled and trained in the Willowfield Unionist Club that was situated about half a mile from this spot. With the onset of WW1 in 1914, these same volunteers stood to the fore to defend the Empire as the 8th battalion (East Belfast) in the 36th Ulster Division. Many did not return but their bravery and honour will forever be remembered.”

Ardenvohr Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Down The Woodstock

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“Down the Woodstock” and “Up the Cregagh”. The two roads run into each other, heading north-south between Albert Bridge and Lisnabreeny in east Belfast. The Woodstock Road shops are getting a number of new streetart pieces thanks to a consortium of local businesses, including the two shown here.

The racing trap is by Visual Waste (ig) ((with support from Decowell Restoration (web), Bethany Fruit (web) and Astrl Fibres (ig)) in Willowfield Gardens and the (painted) signage by unknown artists in Oberon Street.

There is already a large mural reading “Up The Cregagh” on the road.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Woodstock Rocks

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As a tribute to “the influence the local record shops had on the Belfast hip-hop and breakdancing scenes of the 80s” FGB (ig) and Katriona Designs (ig) have painted track-suited pensioners with a dual turntable setup (“Spin-A-Disc” (Technic?) and “Pensioneer” (Pioneer) brands) in Ardgowan Street at the Woodstock Road.

The documentary Bombin’, Beats And B-Boys is available on youtube. Here is an Irish Times look back at Belfast City Breakers.

See also the shelf of tapes at Portallo Street: Back On The Streets. The other new pieces in the current beautification project are: Up The Cregagh and Down The Woodstock | Up The Cregagh | Heron.

Also included below are two small pieces in Glendower Street, of a ‘Dolphin Lamp Standard’ lamp-post (such as can be seen on the Queen’s Bridge) and a fox.

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Looking Heaven In The Eye

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The launch event for the Painting For Palestine project (Fb) took place on March 3rd. A large paper Palestinian flag (with the cartoon character of resistance Handala (WP) on it) was used as a cover over the mural of three children – Irish, Palestinian, and South African – and unveiled by local children who had worked on the piece.

For the ten pieces linked by Alareer’s poem on a red ribbon, see Tell My Story.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Tell My Story

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For the launch of the murals painted in the Painting For Palestine project (Fb) a red ribbon with the words from Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer’s poem “If I Must Die” was added to the ten consecutive panels below the ‘republican museum’ panel.

If I must die, 
you must live 
to tell my story 
to sell my things 
to buy a piece of cloth 
and some strings, 
(make it white with a long tail) 
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza 
while looking heaven in the eye 
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze — 

and bade no one farewell 
not even to his flesh 
not even to himself — 
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above 
and thinks for a moment an angel is there 
bringing back love 
If I must die 
let it bring hope
let it be a tale

Alareer’s poem was also used on Free Derry Corner; see If I Must Die in the Seosamh Mac Coılle collection.

For images from the launch, see Looking Heaven In The Eye.

For the twelve pieces without the red ribbon, see The Land Is Ours – Khan Younis Mass Grave … Man Holding Child – A Window To A Free Country – Soldiers Standing Over Children – Three Children – Flying Children/Prisoners – Bethlehem Fireworks – Family Group – Soso And Omar Ashour – Phoenix – Cooking In Front Of A Tent.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Hold On, Pain Ends

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“North Belfast is in a crisis. RNU [Republican Network For Unity (Fb | ig)] calls for better mental health provision. Hold on, pain ends. Hope.”

Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in the UK, at 14.3 per 100,000 (2021), and Belfast has a suicide rate of 24.9 people (2022), and north Belfast the highest in Belfast, at a rate of 31 per 100,000 (2013-2018) (Assembly Research Matters | Zero Suicide Alliance). Here is a Bel Tel article (£) about the lack of GPs and mental health services in north Belfast, from 2021.

Berwick Road, Ardoyne, north Belfast. Replaces Don’t Ever Give Up.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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