The guillemot is distinctive for its red “gape” (inside of mouth). It spends most of its time on and around water but nests on cliff ledges and other remote spaces in May (BirdWatchIreland). The pointed shape of the egg makes it less likely to fall off cliffs (British Birds). They have been nesting in Bangor since at least 1911 (Geograph). If you can’t spot any at the marina, you can check out this mural by Dan Leo (ig) in nearby Victoria Road.

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Before rock band Thin Lizzy played the King’s Club at the Queen’s Court hotel in Bangor on July 27th, 1974 (Thin Lizzy Guide), they took to the water in order to take in the town. They were photographed in the act by Dublin photographer Liam Quigley (Indo profile), and the picture (see it at Thin Lizzy Guide) was turned into a mural by Friz (ig) in Crosby Street, Bangor, last year.

One of the band’s album covers can be seen on a wall in east Belfast – see The Rocker – and original guitarist Eric Bell (who was also a member of Them) is featured in a mural of famous faces from the area – see Inspiring Belfast.

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Planning permission for the re-development of the Bangor Marina was granted in September 2022 – here’s an overview of the plans. Until work begins however, Sharon Regan’s (ig) depictions of nature scenes will continue to cover up the disused buildings along Queen’s Parade.

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This is Irony’s (ig) tribute to Julia Volchkova, a street artist raised in Siberia, based in St Petersburg, Russia, and painting all over the world, particularly in Malaysia. The mural seems to be based on image of Volchkova painting a face in Mexico city (ig).

Hibernia Street, Holywood.

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Images from the east side of the Strand underpass in Holywood, beginning with Conaty’s Arch and ending with Van Morrison: “Smell the sea and feel the sky/Let your soul and spirit fly – ‘Into The Mystic'”. See also: images from the west side of the tunnel.

See also: images from the Priory Park tunnel.

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