This is a painted tribute to Jim McKee, who was known as “Mr Immaculata” for his long-time support of Immaculata FC (Fb). McKee died in August when he was hit by a car near the Grosvenor community centre (BBC).
See also: Come On, The Mac, which is a stone’s throw further down Albert Street.
Servia Street, lower Falls, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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This entry updates the images seen in November’s Lest We Forget, with the addition of six military insignia to either side of the ‘Old Comrades’ board that was added just after Remembrance Sunday.
On the left (top to bottom): Royal Irish Rifles (later the Royal Ulster Rifles), 36th (Ulster) Division, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; on the right: Royal Irish Regiment, Order Of St Patrick, British Light Infantry.
Shore Road, north Belfast
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“Late 19th century gas lamp donated by Pretani Associates, Dr Ian Adamson OBE and Helen Brooker, to the Dalaradia Historical Group to recognise their work on Common Identity. This work promotes one cultural narrative for the British Isles to which all can belong. A narrative which begins by understand the first known name of the islands – The Isles of Pretani. Knowledge brings a light which reveals the way forward towards stability within these islands. Dedicated by Professor Wesley Hutchinson on the 27th November 2019.”
The lamp was unveiled in September 2020 (Pretani Associates). For (a little) more on the claim that the Pretani inhabited both Britain and Ireland, see Kingdom Of The Pretani and the Visual History page on the Influence Of Jim Fitzpatrick.
Shore Road, north Belfast, next to Lest We Forget.
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“Bridging divides”, “30 years of Forthspring”, “Communities of strength”. Forthspring is a cross-community group providing programming to residents of the CNR upper Springfield and PUL Woodvale areas. On its ‘about’ page, the organisation claims 1996 is the year of its founding, so this array of boards might be in anticipation of next year (2026).
Also included are some of the older pieces on the panels at the front of the Springwell House. “Stand here and think about someone you love”, “Dance here and make a new friend”, “Youth Matters Project – believe you can”.
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This edgy interpretation of the Mexican tradition of La Calavera Catrina can be found in an alley off Fountain Street, Belfast city centre.
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Work to the windows has been undertaken since this art was originally painted (in 2023) by Friz (web) and Gerry Norman (ig); two windows have been bricked up with multi-coloured bricks (best seen in the image immediately below), while others have been extended and narrowed, resulting in patches of black bricks (see the third and fourth images).
The piece is inspired by the seventeenth-century Belfast Castle. Castle Arcade is so-called because it is the site the original castle of Belfast, built by the Normans in the late 12th century and then rebuilt by Arthur Chichester in 1611. Chichester’s castle had “spacious gardens which extended from the river along to Cromac Woods and near Stranmillis” with “orchards, bowling greens and cherry gardens … fish ponds,” for “hunting, hawking, and other sports”. It was destroyed by fire in 1708, after which the area became commercialised as a market (ArchiSeek | Mary Lowry | BBC | Belfast Entries).
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“[They said I was ruthless, daring, savage, blood thirsty, even heartless. The clergy called me and my comrades murderers; but] The British were met with their own weapons. They had gone down into the mire to destroy us and our nation and down after them we had to go. – Tom Barry, IRA volunteer.”
Tom Barry served in the British Army as a teenager and saw action in Mesopotamia and Egypt. The military training served him well when he joined the IRA and soon became commander of the West Cork brigade’s flying column. The quotation above offer a justification for the guerrilla tactics which helped drive the British to the negotiating table. In the Civil War, Barry was on the anti-Treaty side. (WP)
“In proud and loving memory of all those who contributed to the struggle for Irish freedom. Léana An Dúın. Beıdh sıad ınár gcuımhne choíche.”
The red board below is an old (2019) IRSP board, reading, “Join the IRSP. No to state harassment, to drug dealing, to loan sharks, to benefit cuts, to bedroom tax, to work schemes, to British rule. Yes to safer communities, to proper housing, to quality jobs, to freedom in Ireland, to republican socialism!, to a fair economy, to community empowerment. Join with us in promoting a new and fair Ireland and in building the campaign for a border poll. www.irsp.ie“
Horn Drive, Lenadoon, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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These Easter lilies are on a junction box on the Springfield Road at New Barnsley Park, west Belfast, and across the street from the boxes seen in Bóthar Chluanaí and Gaırdín Na hÉıreann.
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“I am … strong, focused, love, hope, caring, beautiful, body & mind.” M-Space is a project from Springboard Opportunities (web) providing intensive mental-health services for 115 young people.
This pair of utility boxes is on Royal Avenue, Belfast city centre. The backgrounds on the rear were perhaps painted during Culture Night.
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“NFC – representing our community with pride”. Newington Football Club [Fb], also known as “the swans”, is an NIFL team from north Belfast. The club was “est[ablished] 1979” as Jubilee Olympic FC, and was later Newington Youth Club, before becoming Newington FC c. 2018. A full list of its honours can be found on the club’s WP page.
Atlantic Avenue, Newington, north Belfast
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Paddy Duffy Collection 