community – Page 2 – Paddy Duffy Collection

Waterside, Cityside, Quayside

2026-06-272026-06-30Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Peace Bridge is shown spanning the Foyle between (the former) Ebrington barracks and the Guildhall, with a film-strip of images, many depicting naval and military scenes, above and below. The first few panels in the upper ribbon show a gap in the walls of Derry, a poster encouraging people to “Join the Wrens [and free a man for the fleet]” (the Women’s Royal Naval Service; see the poster at IWM), soldiers playing ping-pong in their barracks, and the ship’s bell of the HMS Londonderry (which served as a training ship during the Falkland War (WP)).

Sperrin Park, Caw, Londonderry

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Making Memories

2026-06-272026-07-26Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Girls from Seán Dolans GAC (Fb) and Trojans Youth & Community Group (Fb) are “bringing communities together”, “forging friendships”, and “making memories”.

Painted by Peaball (web) with support from Féıle Derry (web) on what is now the Health For Life (Fb) building on Linsfort Drive in Creggan, Derry

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Believe In Your Dreams

2026-06-272026-07-26Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Ryan McBride was a Derry City FC defender and captain who died suddenly in 2017 at the age of 27 (BBC). The stadium was renamed, and the Ryan McBride foundation (web) was established, in his honour.

The piece above (by Ray Bonner) is at the Brandywell stadiums; the banner below is in Lecky Road.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Gormley

2026-06-042026-08-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley has been honoured with a new mural in his native Ardoyne. He is Cliftonville’s all-time leading goal-scorer, with more than 300 goals. He has recently signed for the forthcoming (2026-2027) season, which he says will be his last (BBC).

Velsheda Court, Ardoyne. There was previously a board to Joe The Goal in Berwick Road.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Welcome To Rathfriland

2026-05-252026-06-10Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Life and landmarks in Rathfriland, eight miles outside Newry, are presented in this “Community mural, 2010, lead artist Ann McCall, created with young people from the Beacon Centre”.

The four buildings on the left are labelled: Magennis clan of Iveagh 1136-1641 [i.e. until the Confederate Wars], Linen Market 1754, Patrick Brontë [father of the three Brontë authors] homeland 1777, Farmers’ Market. On the right is the Beacon Centre.

The mural was covered over by a printed tarp for a number of (seven?) years, but this has come down and the mural behind it is again visible. The mural in much better condition can be seen on Geograph.

Church Square, Rathfriland, site of the market house or tholsel – here is an image from c. 1915.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Soho Foundry

2026-05-242026-08-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Townsend Enterprise Park, at the Falls end of Townsend Street, was formerly the site of the Soho Foundry, established by brothers James and Robert Shipboy MacAdam, making (among other things, including scutching machines) large turbines for export across the world – “the largest steam-engine ever made in Ireland” (at 62″ in diameter) went to the Nile in Egypt in 1848 (Grace’s | Grace’s). This new mural on the wall of the Enterprise Park recalls the area’s industrial past.

By Imogen Donegan (ig) with support from Daisy Chain (web).

The Undying Prayer For Absolute Freedom

2026-05-212026-08-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Mícheál Mac Daıbhéad ~ Michael Davitt, 1846 ~ 1906 … a true republican, a revolutionary and a visionary. This mural was erected to celebrate and to thank all those members of Davitt’s GAC, past and present, who have fought, struggled and diligently contributed to the foundation, development and maintainment of this club in serving our local community of the greater Falls, down through the years.”

Mícheál Mac Daıbhéad/Michael Davitt is famous for leading the Irish Republican Brotherhood and as “father of the Land League”, and a west Belfast CLG and social club is named in his honor. The board in the courtyard of the social club includes twenty photographs of the lower Falls area from the years of the Troubles.

“To all my friends I leave kind thoughts, to my enemies the fullest possible forgiveness, and to Ireland the undying prayer for the absolute freedom and independence which it was my life’s ambition to try and obtain for her.” These words come from Davitt’s will; he died at age 60 (Mayo Live). The mural referred to in the information board (in the final image) was painted for the centenary of the club, in 2012.

This board replaces a c. 2014 mural.

Here’s A Health To The Company

2026-05-082026-08-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Society of United Irishmen was formed at the Crown Tavern in 1791, with founder members including Thomas Russell, William Drennan, Samuel Neilson (also host to Olaudah Equiano), Henry Joy McCracken, and Wolfe Tone. The building – now called Crown House – is visible upon entering Crown Entry from High Street. These painted windows are on the side of the building, as one proceeds towards Ann Street.

The first pair are by JMK, the second pair by Wee Nuls (ig), painted in 2020, at which time FGB also painted pair that have now faded.

Crown Entry, Belfast. See also the Visual History page on The Belfast Entries.