community

Divis Youth

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This mural in the lower Falls celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Frank Gillen Centre (Fb) and the 70th anniversary of Immaculata FC (Fb). The figure on the right is Cliftonville player Liam Boyce who grew up in the area and played for Immaculata as a youth. The team’s logo appears to the right of Boyce’s outstretched hand. (If you know the local player on the left, please leave a comment or send an e-mail.)

The piece was painted by Mickey Doherty and Lucas Quigley.

Albert Street, lower Falls, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Pride Of Lower Falls

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This is a painted tribute to Jim McKee, who was known as “Mr Immaculata” for his long-time support of Immaculata FC (Fb). McKee died in August when he was hit by a car near the Grosvenor community centre (BBC).

See also: Come On, The Mac, which is a stone’s throw further down Albert Street.

Servia Street, lower Falls, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Communities Of Strength

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“Bridging divides”, “30 years of Forthspring”, “Communities of strength”. Forthspring is a cross-community group providing programming to residents of the CNR upper Springfield and PUL Woodvale areas. On its ‘about’ page, the organisation claims 1996 is the year of its founding, so this array of boards might be in anticipation of next year (2026).

Also included are some of the older pieces on the panels at the front of the Springwell House. “Stand here and think about someone you love”, “Dance here and make a new friend”, “Youth Matters Project – believe you can”.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Newington Football Club

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“NFC – representing our community with pride”. Newington Football Club [Fb], also known as “the swans”, is an NIFL team from north Belfast. The club was “est[ablished] 1979” as Jubilee Olympic FC, and was later Newington Youth Club, before becoming Newington FC c. 2018. A full list of its honours can be found on the club’s WP page.

Atlantic Avenue, Newington, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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The Drumbeg Omniplex

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These are images of the sub-station at the green in the middle of Drumbeg. Above are children bearing messages of “happiness” and peace (a second trio of children on the right-hand side of the image above has been blotted out by a large pink splotch). The plaque in the top right reads, “A Shared Space & Services Re-Imaging Project supported by the European Union’s Peace IV Programme”.

On the other walls are a goal with points for hitting different spots, the “Drumbeg Omniplex” with “movie coming soon”, and two pairs of Irish dancers on either side of a reflective panel that has now disappeared.

Drumbeg, Lurgan

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Ulster Young Defenders

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This is a fiftieth anniversary (1974-2024) board celebrating the “Ulster Young Defenders F[lute] B[and], Sandy Row.” It is on the side of the Sandy Row Rangers Supporters’ Club, above a composite board of six old Sandy Row bars including the Shaftesbury Arms, the Albion, the Royal, the Sandhurst, and the Klondyke.

“In tribute to all UYD members, past and present.” ‘The Final Chapter'”

See also: a small UYD mural in 1990.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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On The Shoulders Of Giants

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Matt Talbot Youth Centre (Fb) provides activities and services for young people from New Barnsley and Moyard, including an afternoon club, trips during the summer months, and Halloween and Christmas parties.

The two murals are face-to-face in New Barnsley Gardens. Also included are some painted utility boxes in the area, including a hurler/camogie-player from Michael Davitt’s GAC (web).

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Fáılte Go Camloch

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This mural is on the pump-house at the junction of Sturgan Brae and Newtown Rd, west of Camlough town and at the northern end of the “cam loch” [crooked lake]. The lake and the junction are visible in the centre-left, with the village itself just below the “h”. The map is between (to the left) the Celtic cross in the republican plot in St Malachy’s and a turn-of-the-century (1900) village water-pump (NBHS) and (to the right) the ruins of St Jude’s church (Christ Church).

The referent of “established 1610” is not clear. “ChS” in the lower right is perhaps “Camlough Heritage Society” (BBC).

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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