The Northern Star newspaper began publication in 1792 in Wilson’s Court, Belfast, under the editorship of Samuel Neilson, to cover local news and express the views of the United Irishmen. It became so popular that it survived until 1797, despite the Irishmen being outlawed in 1793 with the declaration of war between Britain and France and Neilson being arrested in 1796. Walter Cox, editor of The Irish Magazine And Monthly Asylum For Neglected Biography) wrote a ‘Sketch Of The Life Of Samuel Neilson’ for the September, 1811, edition (p. 396 ff) and wrote that “The Northern Star, under his managment, was indeed a planet of light and heat; its influences were commensurate with its circulation and its circulation was only restricted by the ocean. It warmed the cold; it animated the feeble; it cheered the afflicted; it stimulated the intrepid and instructed all. Pernicious dogmas, false reasonings, slavish superstitions and gothic prejudices, which broke the people into different sects and marshalled them against each other, disappeared before it.” (O’Brien 1998 | History Ireland)
The mural – in Wilson’s Court, Belfast – is by Rob Hilken and called “Light And Heat”.
See previously: Olaudah Equiano | Belle Martin and the Visual History page on the Belfast Entries Project
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Castle Arcade is so-called because it is the site of both the original castle of Belfast, built by the Normans in the late 12th century and then rebuilt by Arthur Chichester in 1611. Chichester’s castle had “spacious gardens which extended from the river along to Cromac Woods and near Stranmillis” with “orchards, bowling greens and cherry gardens … fish ponds,” for “hunting, hawking, and other sports”. It was destroyed by fire in 1708 after which the area became commercialised as a market (ArchiSeek | Mary Lowry | BBC | Belfast Entries).
By Friz (ig) and Gerry Norman (ig).
See previously: You’ve Got The Key Of The Street.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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This “Scundered Crab” in Joy Street comes to us courtesy of MWAK/Pigment Space (ig).
Previously by MWAK: The Children Of Gear | Our Revenge | Boys’ Model | Sweets For My Sweet
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A gallery of faces from KVLR (ig) in Exchange Place, perhaps on their way to Belfast’s first maternity hospital, the Humane Female Society For The Relief Of Lying-In Women (Clifton House) which was in the building above these artworks.
“The Entries are passageways for the comings and goings of rich and poor, sugar and coal, horses and handcarts, porter and print, secrets and songs. Openings and entrances over the centuries. A labyrinth of muck-made Belfast brick at the mouth of the Farset.”
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The artist of these purple flowers in Exchange Place is unknown, but they look quite like the (former) wood painted by Hicks on the other side of the doorway.
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“The Spirits Of The Two Fountains” from Wee Nuls (web | ig), on one of the shutters below the Norwich Union building in the Fountain area of Belfast, based on the idea that there were two fountains in the street (Belfast Entries says there were three).
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In ancient Greek mythology, the Athenian Theseus (though here carrying a Spartan shield) killed the bull (minotaur) of Cretan king Minos, thus ending the practice of sacrificing of Athenian youths as retribution for the earlier death of Minos’s son Androgeos. Glasgow artist Rogue One (Fb | ig) recreated the myth for CNBX/HTN18.
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The most famous redshanks in Ireland are the Scottish soldiers of James II who marched on Derry, only to be rebuffed with cries of “No surrender” (December 7th, 1688). The soldier is perhaps (though there is no certainty) named after wading bird; the bird is known for its long red legs (Birdwatch Ireland), while the soldier went into battle bare-legged (Scotsman). The second image shows a shrimp and other items among the redshanks’ prey.
By Birmingham artist Annatomix (tw | web | Fb) in Cole’s Alley for the Belfast Entries Project (Visual History page).
Previously by Annatomix: Golden Hare | Red Squirrel
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X12676 courtesy of Extramural Activity
Paddy Duffy Collection 