This Sınn Féın Youth/Maıréad Farrell Youth Committee banner uses Martin Luther King to advocate for non-violent protest (featured previously in Always Avoid Violence). Below is a call to attend a 41st-anniversary commemoration of the 1981 hunger strike.
Beechmount Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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Upon news of Queen Elizabeth’s death, the platinum jubilee mural at the bottom of Crimea Street became a memorial, with hundreds of bouquets being laid before it and a “wall of condolences” set up. (For the mural itself, see The People’s Monarch.) In addition, to the right-hand side has been added a small commemoration of her passing, with a quote from her son, the newly acceded King Charles:
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world”; “Long live the king!”
The fifteen commonwealth “realms” (previously called “dominions”) share a monarch – formerly Elizabeth II and now Charles III – while the commonwealth comprises 41 additional nations, including some which are now republics: Barbados, for example, became a republic on November 30th last year (2021) but is still in the Commonwealth (WP). Additional countries might take the passing of Elizabeth as a suitable juncture at which to sever ties (Edinburgh News has a round-up | for the Bahamas see Caribbean National Weekly | for Canada see Toronto Star).
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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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“In loving memory of military commander Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag, born 1970, died 2000. Sleeping where no shadows fall.” The plaques and the photograph in the centre are new (see previously 2007).
McKeag was the top assassin in the UDA during the 1990s, claiming at least 12 victims. Both his WP page and this Guardian article describe his career and his – sometimes contentious – preeminent standing within the UDA.
The upper plaque reads “This mural is dedicated to the memory of Stevie (Top Gun) McKeag from the officers & members of C Company 2nd Battalion UFF. Gone but not forgotten. Quis separabit.” The lower plaque reads “In loving memory of our big brother Steven McKeag from Jackie, Mary & Melissa. Simply the best.”
Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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“30 years of indiscriminate slaughter by so-called non-sectarian Irish freedom fighters. No military targets! No economic targets! No legitimate targets! Where are our inquiries? Where is our truth? Where is our justice?”
The bombings listed are: “Fourstep Inn, bombed 29th Sept. 1971, 2 innocents killed”; “Bayardo Bar, bombed 13th August 1975, 5 innocents killed”; “Balmoral Showroom, bombed 11th December 1971, 2 adults and 2 babies killed”; “Mountainview Tavern, bombed 5th April 1975, 5 innocents killed”; “Frizzell’s Fish Shop, bombed 23rd October 1993, 9 innocents killed”.
There was previously a painted version of this mural in Bellevue Street.
Dundee Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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Paddy Duffy Collection 