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Times Change

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Despite the quote “Times change; we need to change as well” (attributed to Nelson Mandela, though perhaps only from Francois Pienaar in the film Invictus) the riot going on in black-and-white is not from the past (as in this east Belfast mural) but the present, and in particular from the 2021 riots on Lanark Way (BelTel) which is the site of this new mural. Similarly, the mural depicted in the background of the riot scene is not from the past – it was refreshed in 2022 and continues to loom over Mount Vernon and the off-ramp from the motorway – see Prepared For Peace, Ready For War.

The mural thus asks young people to decide between two visions of present-day life: the grey world of violence and the colourful world of programmes from R-City – Communities Integrated Through Youth (www.rcitybelfast.com), including “one-one mentoring”, “leadership for life” (QUB), and “SHE” [Supporting Her Empowerment].

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Meet The New Boss

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These UVF posters urge residents of east Belfast who owe money to loan sharks not to sell drugs or find some other way to pay it back, but instead to get in touch with a political representative.

The Sunday World reported that repayments are being withheld after the Shankill UVF ordered the leadership in East Belfast UVF to stand down (in November 2023 – IRN | BBC) and took over the operation. The posters thus come from the old (East Belfast) guard, trying to thwart the new bosses and hoping to resume collection themselves.

SDLP councillor Séamus De Faoıte commented (in the Irish News), “Anyone who has knowledge of criminal activity or exploitation of vulnerable people should report it to the relevant authorities, but people do not need to take any lessons from the UVF when it comes to upholding the law.” (Also: BelTel)

Meanwhile, the endingtheharm.com campaign (part of the Executive/DOJ’s programme designed to tackle “paramilitary activity and organised crime”) continues. See They Control You for a 2019 version.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Creggan Is My Home

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“Since 1947, Creggan is my home.” The murals of local sporting heroes on the Creggan shops/Sıopaí An Chreagáın have been replaced by a series of flowers and some local musical heroes: above, ‘Teenage dreams so hard to beat’ is the opening line of the Undertones’ ‘Teenage Kicks’ (also seen in Belfast); below is the title of Dana’s Eurovision-winning song: ‘All Kinds Of Everything’ (youtube).

The murals were created by Peaball (ig) and children from Holy Child PS (across the street) during the 2023 Derry Féıle project ‘Graffiti On The Wall’, which also produced Friz’s Derry Dryad and emic’s Younger Days (see Summer’s Blood) (Derry Journal).

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Léım An Mhadaıdh

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Here is a selection of street art in Limavady/Léım An Mhadaıdh/”Leap of the dog” including, above, a leaping dog by London artist irony (ig).

Below, in order, are a pangram illustration by KVLR (ig), musicians by Claire Prouvost (ig), a jazz band by Matthew Knight (ig), a goat by Visual Waste (ig) for the Stendhal Festival (web), and a mental health piece by Peaball (ig).

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Hold On, Pain Ends

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“North Belfast is in a crisis. RNU [Republican Network For Unity (Fb | ig)] calls for better mental health provision. Hold on, pain ends. Hope.”

Northern Ireland has the highest suicide rate in the UK, at 14.3 per 100,000 (2021), and Belfast has a suicide rate of 24.9 people (2022), and north Belfast the highest in Belfast, at a rate of 31 per 100,000 (2013-2018) (Assembly Research Matters | Zero Suicide Alliance). Here is a Bel Tel article (£) about the lack of GPs and mental health services in north Belfast, from 2021.

Berwick Road, Ardoyne, north Belfast. Replaces Don’t Ever Give Up.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Woodvale Connect

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Five steps to mental health – give, connect, be active, take notice, keep learning – and affirmations to live by, such as “This is me”, “You’re a superstar”, “I am what I am”, and “Simply the best“. Part of the Shankill SAFE (Safer Areas For Everyone) project in the Woodvale, with support from Alternatives and the Communities In Transition programme.

From the info board: “#ItsOKToTalk” “This art project was completed as part of Alternative – Safer Areas For Everyone (SAFE) project. The young people involved identified mental health as the theme for their art project and incorporated positive mental health messages & support numbers to highlight the issue. The group also identified the “Steps” area as the location for the art work, to help brighten up the area which had become unsightly, neglected and a focus for anti-social behaviour. This project also engaged with the residents through door to door surveys, provided information leaflets on support services and organised community clean ups to help improve community pride & spirit in the area. Special thanks to Jamie, Dylan, Kyle, Corey and Mason who showed positive leadership in their community, to street artist Emic & Sam from Signlink for the art work & graphics and to the local residents and young people who were involved in the clean ups. SAFE Shankill is supported by the The Executive Office through Communities In Transition programme.”

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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