Work by emic (ig) in Castle Lane, Belfast, perhaps picking up a theme from Friz’s Under The Cherry Blossoms in Castle Arcade which focused on the castle and grounds in the era of Arthur Chichester. Chichester’s castle burned down in 1708 and by 1800 the castle and its grounds were vanishing under buildings akin to the nearby corn market and Belfast entries (WP).
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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An 11-metre-wide set of bouquets spelling out “Belfast” has been installed in front of Belfast City Hall as the initial event of the Belfast One Business Improvement District’s campaign for 2023-2024. The calendar of events can be found here.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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The “Shankill Boys” were the roughly 700 men of the West Belfast battalion of the Ulster Volunteers who were almost all killed at the Somme. (This board – or a previous copy of it – was previously in Carnan St.)
As with all of the Belfast battalions, West Belfast had a “USSF” [Ulster Special Service Force] – its emblem is in the top left of the second board, below. (See previously USSF and Carving Out A Place In History) The other emblem is that of the ‘Greengairs Thistle Flute Band’ (web). Although the background comes from WWI, the roll of honour lists modern-day volunteers from the UVF. Thomas Chapman, James McGregor, Robert McIntyre, William Hannah, and Robert Wadsworth are portrayed in Carnan Street – see C. Coy Street. The modern-day C Company, formed in 1974, is named after the Four Step Inn, which was bombed in September 1971 (see Four Step).
This pair of boards is next to the Vanguard Bears board in Sugarfield Street.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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The Seal Folk or Selkies are shape-shifting creatures in island mythologies from Man to Ireland to the Scottish isles to the Faroes to Iceland. Seals in water, they can take off their skins and become (beautiful) humans on land. Without their skins, they cannot return, and so they can be captured by humans who hide their skins. A few tales can be found at Scotland’s Stories.
By KMG (web) in Dublin Road.
April 26th:
April 27th:
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Here is a gallery of the murals and plaques in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close in the Machaıre Botháın/Marrowbone area of north Belfast. A full repertoire of republican events is commemorated – the United Irishmen, Great Hunger, the Rising, the Troubles, the (modern) hunger strikes. What is most striking is the significant presence of religious icons, such as the Sacred Heart in the glass cases in front of the two main murals (above and last below).
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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KVLR (ig) (and PENS?) repainted some of the walls in the courtyard of the Ulster Sports Club (where Ulster Says Yeoo). The FGB piece (in the final image) remains.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Street art by Voyder (ig) for HTN 2023 in McKibben’s Court, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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These are the new pieces for Hit The North 2023 in Kent Street above Union Street, by Rocket1 from Sheffield (ig), DMC (Dermot McConaghy), and ADW (ig) from Dublin, saluting the “Brothers + sisters of the brush”. The TMN writing might pre-date HTN23.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Flax flowers on the side of by Dutch street artists Studio Giftig (ig) in James’ Street South. Various linen and handkerchief manufacturers have occupied the building during its history.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Paddy Duffy Collection 