A True Red

Here is a 2014 mural in the Markets area of south Belfast celebrating the achievements of local boy George McMullen, who played youth football for St. Malachy’s and St. Matthew’s before joining Cliftonville in 2011 age 20.

On the left is the familiar Cliftonville huddle (see previously: The Red Army). The two poses in the centre and on the left are reproductions of Belfast Telegraph images. The first is from Cliftonville’s 2013 Dankse Bank Irish League-clinching win over Linfield, which the Reds won with a McMullen penalty in the dying seconds; the second in from the same moment in the 2014 campaign: Chris Curran has just scored to put the Reds two-nil up in a game against Portadown that would win them the League for the second year in succession.

Other Cliftonville players have been featured in murals: Joe The Goal in Ardyone and Rory Donnelly in the Bone.

Lower Stanfield St, Markets, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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End The Siege On Gaza

“Free Palestine”. Tears of blood flow from a face that is shrouded by a Palestinian flag and behind barbed wire. The writing at the bottom is a quote from Malcolm X: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the oppressed and loving the oppressor.”

Lower Stanfield St, Markets, south Belfast. Almost a decade old – this mural was launched 2014-07-29.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
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Galleries 2024

BELFAST

BEYOND BELFAST

Remember Me

“Remember me – Glenn Quinn. Murdered by cowards. We all know who they are!” The body of Glenn Quinn was found in his Carrickfergus home in January 2020. His family believe he was beaten and left to die by members of the South East Antrim UDA; as a result of their accusation they have been threatened a dozen or more times (BBC). The Crimestoppers’ 20,000 pounds reward has now – on the fourth anniversary of the death – been doubled by an anonymous donor. (BBC)

Spotlight investigated Glenn’s death in 2021 (BBC).

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Feasacht Agus Tacaíocht

This painting on the shutters of the Falls Road Suicide Awareness & Support Group/Grúpa Feasachta Agus Tacaíochta Ar Fhéınbháıs (web | Fb) is the same as the mural painted in Cavendish Square by Visual Waste (see Reaching Out Is A Strength) and a companion to emic’s Lifeboat From Despair around the corner in Shiels Street.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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At The Eleventh Hour

The portrait on the right is probably William McFadzean, familiar from murals such as in the Caw, Londonderry, and in Cregagh, Belfast (though the photo is unknown). The face on the left is John Travers “Jack” Cornwell, “the boy hero of Jutland”, who was awarded the VC for staying at his post as a sight-setter on the HMS Chester (the picture is from an earlier posting, on the HMS Lancaster) when it was hit by German light cruisers on May 31st, 1916. Cornwell died from shrapnel wounds on June 2nd (Mary Evans).

It’s not clear why Cornwell is included here, as he was from, and is buried in, east London, rather than Belfast or Ireland, and does not seem to be associated with the 36th Division. Please get in touch if you can explain his inclusion here. See also: Battle Of Jutland and HMS Caroline.

Dee Street, east Belfast, on the fence seen previously in My God-Given Right To Rule.

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Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T03875 T03876 at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them royal irish rifles lest we forget

Great Expectations

There are now nine planters and ten bird boxes, with a backdrop of tropical plants and birds, at the junction of Downshire Place and Great Victoria Street (Linen Quarter BID).

Part of the ‘Great Expectations’ revitalisation of the area, including Linenopolis and the tribute to Terri Hooley and Good Vibrations.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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