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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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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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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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Images from the west side of the Strand underpass in Holywood, including a parade of dogs by Verz (ig). There is a separate post for the east side of the tunnel.
See also: images from the Priory Park tunnel.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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The hand-painted UVF Scottish Brigade mural (see Boab Kerr) in Beechfield Street/Tower Street has been replaced by this new printed board. The plaque to Kerr has been retained, but four names have been added – David Totten, Brian Milligan, Billy Inglis, and Jim Holt, who is now the most prominent. Holt died in February 2021 (ACT Fb).
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Leo Boyd (ig) repaints his ‘Electric Avenue’ electrical box (shown below), with ‘Atom Man’.
Chapel Lane, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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This is street art by Cheba (web) on the façade of the Havana Club/the Spaniard in Skipper Street, next to the spots by Shane O’Driscoll.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Ed Hicks was in Belfast in early March, 2023, to extend the mural in College St Mews (seen previously in Cool) and to repair part of the mural that had been damaged by a fire in one of the wheelie-bins. As before, this new section combines technical drawings with various creatures and sundry items.
If you know anything about the characters or references, please comment or get in touch. The info plaque in the street (seen in Cool) mentions baker and philanthropist Bernard Hughes, but the central portrait does not seem to be of him.
At the same time, Ed also contributed a piece to the Women’s Work jam in College Court (see We Built This).
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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X12129 [X12130] [X12131] courtesy of Extramural Activity
Street art by Alana McDowell (ig) in Lower Cross Street, Larne, next to #LoveLarne. With support from Daisy Chain and Mid & East Antrim council.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Brussels artist iota (ig) painted a mermaid in Larne, inspired by the local myth of Lí Ban (NI World), who was caught in nets in Larne Lough and baptised by Christian monks (WP).
With support from the Recovery Revitalisation Programme for town centres, administered here by Mid And East Antrim Borough Council (web) in consultation with Daisy Chain (tw), Seedhead Arts (ig), and FGB (ig).
See also Lí Ban in Bangor: Sea-Born.
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Cloughfern Young Conquerors flute band (Fb) was founded 50 years ago this year – 1973, the same year as the UDA began using the name “UFF.
The ‘wigned-maiden harp’ emblem is used on both sides. With “Quis separabit” is the Royal Irish/Ulster Regiment/Rifles, but perhaps the UDR is intended. On the left, the style and surround imitates the emblem of the UDA; the right-hand side reproduces a former mural to the UDA’s John “Grug” Gregg and Rab Carson on the nearby gable – see Gregg & Carson. Gregg was a bass drummer in the band; he and three other bandsmen were fined in 1997 for assaulting police officers at an Apprentice Boys march (Bel Tel). Gregg was shot, along with Carson, in 2003, in the feud with Adair’s west Belfast C Company (WP).
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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02818 T02816 T02817 T02814 [T02815] absent friends lest we forget
Paddy Duffy Collection 