The “two nations” are Palestine (flag on the left) and Ireland (flag on the right). Between the two is a balaclava’d face, suggesting violent struggle.
Lisfannon Park, Bogside, Derry
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06183
The Maritime Festival (web) in various years held a ‘bubble challenge’ that involved people running inside a large inflated tube (youtube video from 2016). Aquatic animals on the other hand come up the river Foyle under their own power, such as Dopey Dick (shown above), an orca who swam up the Foyle in 1977 (Derry Journal) and the otters (in the final two images below) painted by HM Constance (web).
We also see two musical crows – one is playing DJ and the other is carrying a cassette tape – and five humans, who also didn’t come up the Foyle in a bubble – “I didn’t come up (or “float up”) the Foyle in a bubble” means “I’m no fool” or “I wasn’t born yesterday”.
With support from UVArts (web).
For street art using the Belfast/Lagan version of the phrase, see Mother Of God.
Dopey Dick also appeared in a board in the Fountain (CAIN | M03914) and in a piece of street art in Ebrington.
Foyle Street, Derry, which is undergoing a major sewage update (Derry Now).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06200 T06199 T06198 T06197 T06196 T066195 T06194 T06193
Derry IRA man Neil McMonagle is placed among the seven signatories of the proclamation of the provisional government of the Irish Republic.
The board is in Leafair Park, Derry, close to the spot where McMonagle, aged 23, along with friend Liam Duffy, were shot by undercover British soldiers (specifically Sergeant Paul Oram of 14 Intelligence Company (WP)) on February 2, 1983. McMonagle died instantly while Duffy was wounded but survived. The official account alleged that both McMonagle and Duffy were armed; locals deny this. For an account of the killing and a tribute, see these obituaries from republican publications in 1983.
“Vol Neil McMonagle, Derry Brigade INLA. Killed in action 2nd February 1983. “They may kill the revolutionary but never the revolution.””
Leafair Park, Shantallow, Derry
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06176 T06175 [T06177]
In 2023 this memorial stone was added at the left-hand side of Free Derry Corner, reading “William (Willie) Hegarty 1929-2021, born and raised near this spot, life-long republican, left this wall standing to commemorate the Bogside spirit and people.”
Howard Hegarty has kindly provided the following information about his father William and the demolition of Lecky Road in 1975: “My father, William Hegarty, was born and raised less than 30 metres from the wall, to the front and right of it, and my mother was born and raised beside the pump in the Wells less than 40 metres away to the back and left of the wall. So, this tiny area had a special meaning to them and an emotional attachment which lasted their whole lives. … My father was the Building And Demolition contractor that left the wall standing. He had the contract to demolish all those houses in the Wells and old Bogside area and the contract stated that he owned every brick, door, slate, window, tile etc. … everything, and it was his responsibility to remove everything in preparation for the new development. He told his men to leave that wall standing.”
For more on the history of Free Derry Corner, including the precarious nature of the wall when the houses were first knocked down, see the Visual History page.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06186
This Galliagh art encourages “RESPECT” for families and the elderly. The first (“R”) panel is the odd one out, as it includes a (Star Wars) storm-trooper’s helmet and a tribute to Oran McClintock, who died in July (2024) (Derry Now | Funeral Times). The electrical sub-station is near the family home in Moss Park. “May the force be with you!”
This is (presumably) a RAZER (ig) piece, along with young people from Galliagh Community Response (Fb gallery).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06163 T06162 T06166 T06165 T06164
“There are special people in our lives who never leave us even after they are gone. In loving memory of all the men that have passed away since the burning of Long Kesh 15th & 16th October 1974. Rest in peace. Also remembering the blanket men and women, all republicans who have lost their lives in our fight for freedom. Rest in peace. Ní fhéadfaıdís sınn a bhrıseadh [They cannot (lit. would not be able to) break us].”
This Celtic cross memorial was erected to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the burning of Long Kesh. According to Derry Now (which has photos of the launch) the cross is one of four to be be raised in various areas. For the one in Newry, see Davey Morley.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06188
Caitlin McLaughlin died suddenly on June 24th, 2023. She collapsed from a heart attack as she walked to the bus station in Belfast to return home from a music festival at which she had taken ecstasy (BBC). A requiem mass was held in Galliagh on the 28th (BelTel) and the mural shown here was launched in Brookdale Park on October 27th, 2023, which would have been Caitlin’s 17 birthday (Belfast Live).
“I saw you all, my family & friends/the day God took me home,/I smiled, I cried, I felt so proud/You didn’t let me go alone//To all my friends, please listen now/To what I have to say,/Please don’t leave your loved ones/the way I did that day//I’m with the angels in heaven now/and with our we[e] Kyle too,/But often I look down and sigh/For I’d rather be there with you//Forget me not/XO”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06161 T06160 [T06159]
Rapper Biggie Smalls/Notorious BIG shares his name with Derry’s Notorious Street Food (Fb | ig | BelfastLive profile). The art is by Peaball (web) in Northside Village, Glengalliagh Road, Derry, where the truck is parked (Fb).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06174 T06173
This was the banner on the back of Free Derry Corner announcing the (53rd) annual march in remembrance of Bloody Sunday, which starts from the Creggan shops and makes its way down to the Bogside, retracing the route taken in 1972. The march goes up Westland Street and across to Creggan Street and William Street. The background image shows the crowd (in 1972) in William Street a minute before the paratroop regiment opened fire. For the original Gilles Peress photograph (and a flyer using it in Derry in 1996), see And The Next Moment …
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06189 [T06190]
“Drugs destroy lives/families & communities – Stand together against drugs – There’s always hope. There’s always help.” According to the Education Authority, one in eight young people and one in five adults have a mental health need (EA). Services are available from PIPS (web), Lifeline (web), Samaritans (web), Extern (web), Addiction NI (Inspire), Debt Helpline (Advice NI), GP William St (web), Frank (web).
Painted by JMK (ig) in Levin Road, Kilwilkie, Lurgan, replacing some anti-internment writing (D02265).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T05412 T05410 T05411
Paddy Duffy Collection 