You’re Never Too Old

The saying “You’re never too old to set another goal or dream another dream” is attributed to east Belfast-bred C.S. Lewis — shown here on the right — though we are unable to find any record of him saying or writing these words; instead it might be be a motivational speaker called Les Brown. In the rest of the poster, young people play in the grounds of Queen’s University and Belfast City Hall.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04089

Arrivals

Here are two final pieces from the street-art make-over of Banbridge in 2022. Below is Holly Pereira (web)’s “Welcome To Banbridge” in Newry Street; above and immediately below is Decoy (web)’s piece in Downshire Place depicting how the town grew up around a coach stop at the eponymous “Bann bridge” on the route from Belfast to Dublin (ABC borough council). According to Connolly (Google Books) and History Ireland, a short-lived coach service c. 1740 from Dublin to Belfast stopped in Drogheda and Newry; permanent service did not begin until 1788. According to the Downshire Arms (web), a Georgian coaching inn built in 1816, Banbridge was the second stop along the route from Belfast.

The other paintings in the 2022 ‘Arrivals’ project, organised by Daisy Chain and the Council, are by Friz (The Jingler), FGB (Ernest Walton), and Rob Hilken (Damask For Dignity).

For a list of other borough council projects, see Visual History 11 on the rise of street art.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04040c T04039
T04043 [T04044]

Damask For Dignity

This is a Rob Hilken (web) piece in Linenhall Street, Banbridge, and in connection with the location and the linen tradition of Banbridge, the piece features a chrysanthemum pattern (visible at Lisburn Museum) from one of the 1,600 glass plates found at the Ewart-Liddell weaving factory in Donacloney when it was dismantled in 2007 (Lisburn Museum), as well as holes from a Jacquard loom punch-card (Science & Industry Museum). (ig)

Commissioned by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council (web), with support from Daisy Chain (web).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04041c T04042