An Architect Of Peace

The UVF boards at the junction of London and My Lady’s roads in east Belfast have been completely replaced (compared to 2022). The hooded gunmen on the short side have been replaced by “Joy, peace, love” while a tribute to David Ervine now replaces the lettering reading “East Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force”. Ervine was a UVF member from 1972 to 1980 before turning to a career in politics. “He asked the question “why can’t I be an Irish citizen of the UK?” … “An architect of peace. An inspiration to us all.” Always remembered by his family, comrades, colleagues and friends.”

Next to Ervine is a UVF roll of honour in which Roy Walker joins Robert Bennett, James Cordner, Joseph Long, and Robert Seymour, who were previously portrayed (Ulster’s Brave). Walker was killed in a feud with the UDA in 1976. And around the corner the UVF emblem has been replaced by a board to the Ulster Volunteer Force Regimental Band, containing a controversial photograph of the band marching past the site of the 1992 Sean Graham bookies massacre (Crime World). Update: the photograph has been replaced – see the parallel entry in the Seosamh Mac Coılle Collection.

The largest panel remains a tribute to the dead of WWI, for which see again the parallel entry in the Seosamh Mac Coılle Collection.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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I ❤️ Belfast

“I ❤️ Belfast”, “Love conquers all”, “Stop war”. These are works by London pair Nathan Bowen (ig | web store) and ThisIsLostBoy (ig), in Bruce Street and High Street.

See previously in Castle Street: Pledge For Positivity which contains links to more Bowen pieces.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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HTN 2026 – York Lane

In addition to the main festival location centred on the Sunflower bar, a small jam took place in a recently renovated courtyard next to the UU building in York Lane (compare with 2025’s Medusa).

The large piece (above) is by Ricky Also (ig) while the seven on the courtyard wall are “Bear With Me” by Curly Bap (ig), “Judith Beheading Holofernes” by JoJo (ig), a cat on the moon by Stella (ig), a wall by David Copeland (ig), big hair by Rachel Patterson (ig), an “Use It Or Lose It” by DEID (web), and Gaelic games by Fraser_9K (ig)

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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HTN 2026 – Library Street

From top to bottom (west to east, on the street), the pieces are by Artz (ig) + EPOM (ig), Rob Hilken (web), Erin Bradley Scott (Glasgow) (ig), NOYS (ig), Noodle (ig), KVLR (web), JAM (ig).

The images are from May 4th except where noted.

May 2nd:

May 6th:

May 6th:

May 4th:

May 4th:

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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HTN 2026 – Union Street (North Of Kent)

Here is a gallery of the pieces produced for Hit The North 2026 by FGB (web), SNAK (ig), STAYLO (ig), Omin (web), VENTS (ig), and Irony (ig) in Union Street, between Kent Street and Library Street.

Images of the writing by SNAK and VENTS will be added. The in-progress images are from May 2nd.

[SNAK]

[VENTS]

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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HTN 2026 – Kent Street (Below Union) (East)

Here is a gallery of the street art and writing produced for Hit The North 2026 on the northern side of Kent Street, below Union Street.

From top to bottom (Union Street towards Royal Avenue) the pieces are by Alana McDowell (ig), Nic Mac (London) (ig), Codo (ig), Friz (web), MASH + ?SPUD?, BEASER, EVOS (ig), CLUES (ig), SPUD, and RAYO (ig).

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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