Belfast

Under The Cherry Blossoms

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Castle Arcade is so-called because it is the site of both the original castle of Belfast, built by the Normans in the late 12th century and then rebuilt by Arthur Chichester in 1611. Chichester’s castle had “spacious gardens which extended from the river along to Cromac Woods and near Stranmillis” with “orchards, bowling greens and cherry gardens … fish ponds,” for “hunting, hawking, and other sports”. It was destroyed by fire in 1708 after which the area became commercialised as a market (ArchiSeek | Mary Lowry | BBC | Belfast Entries).

By Friz (ig) and Gerry Norman (ig).

See previously: You’ve Got The Key Of The Street.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Gone Too Soon

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“To live in the hearts of those left behind is not to die.” Above is the main piece in a new (2022-11) memorial garden next to Fáılte Feırste Thıar dedicated to young people from the Divis area who have passed away (Belfast Media). There are two smaller pieces on the opposite wall and one next to the alley (immediately below), and together they form the space for a memorial garden. “There is hope on the horizon: May love and laughter be our guide as navigate the tides of grief and despair. … Gone too soon, but cherished eternal.”

With support from Peace IV, Belfast City Council, and the Housing Executive.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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The Cause Of Labour

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“”The cause of labour is the cause of Ireland, and the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour” – James Connolly”. From The Irish Flag, 1916.

The renovation and expansion of Áras Uí Chonghaile (web) was officially opened in 2019 and included “a bespoke corten steel extension that has an intricate perforated image of Connolly’s face” (RIBAJ).

Falls Road, west Belfast, a short distance from the house in which Connolly lived for a time – see the Peter Moloney collection.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Clonard Amateur Boxing Club

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Michael Conlan is portrayed on perforated metal (by Graepels Perforators – Construction Ireland) on the refurbished electrical station that is now the new home of Clonard Amateur Boxing Club (Fb). Conlan boxed at the club for about a decade before turning pro (Belfast Live).

Gortfin Street/Beechmount Pass, Beechmount, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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INLA Roll Of Honour

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“Irish National Liberation Army, Belfast Brigade, roll of honour. For national liberation and socialism in Ireland.” With the named of 22 volunteers who died between 1975 and 2021: Ferguson, Loughran, McNamee, Daly, Bunting, Little, Power, McLarnon, Craven, McCann, Power, O’Reilly, Kearney, Gargan, Gallagher, McColgan, Campbell, McWilliams, O’Hara, McMullan, McElkerney, McWilliams.

This is an extension, to the right, of the yellow-backgrounded panels seen in For A Socialist Republic (2021-05), Defund The Police (2022-09), and Bap McGreevy (2022-11).

Falls Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Over The Bridge

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This large mural features H&W shipyard workers at the turn of the century, inspired by paintings of William Conor such as Shipyard Workers Crossing Queen’s Bridge and Over The Bridge.

The mural was restored by Dee Craig (Fb) in 2018 after originally being painted by John Johnston c. 2008. For images of the previous version, see Titanic Workers.

The mural is on the footbridge linking Dee Street and Queen’s Island, in east Belfast.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Titanic Halt

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The underpass from Ballymacarrett Road to the Titanic Quarter station (formerly Bridge End and renamed in 2012 (BBC)) was remodeled in 2020, with new pavers and the removal of the bollards at the entrance to the underpass, and some new parking bays (ACS). In 2022 the old mural (Transformation, from 2012) was replaced with a gallery of famous faces – actors, musicians, comedians, and singers.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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No Matter Try Again

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Glen Molloy’s Samuel Beckett mural in the Dundela area of east Belfast was largely whitewashed the day after it was finished (see the SMC Collection). (This was only a few weeks after the Maya Angelou mural across the street was painted and graffitied.) (Belfast Live) The portrait was restored in 2021 with blue sparkling blue eyes, and the quotation was added again last (2022) summer.

The quotation is from Worstward Ho! (not “Westword Ho!” as written on the wall just out of shot to the left): “Say for be said. Missaid. From now say for missaid. Say a body. Where none. No mind. Where none. That at least. A place. Where none. For the body. To be in. Move in. Out of. Back into. No. No out. No back. Only in. Stay in. On in. Still. All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Painted by Glen Molloy (ig) in Bathgate Drive, east Belfast

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