800 Years Of Irish Resistance

There is a memorial garden to the history of Irish resistance at the entrance to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. From left to right, the images presented here show:

“More than 800 years of Irish resistence” – a sword for the Norman invasion under Strongbow, a pike for the 1798 and 1803 rebellions, a bolt-action rifle for the Easter Rising of 1916, and an assault rifle for the Troubles;

Cumann Na mBan, Mairéad Farrell and republican women who made “the supreme sacrifice”;

The Proclamation, Provisional IRA and Na Fianna;

The dying Cú Chulainn and a plaque “in proud and loving memory of all republican volunteers, ex-POWs and the unsung heroes from this area who fought, suffered and died in the cause of Ireland’s freedom, with a quote from James Connolly: ‘If you strike at, imprison or kill us, out of prisons or graves will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you and perhaps raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you England! Do your worst!”;

“Remember Ireland’s hunger strikers – 22 men” – the ten 1981 hunger strikers and Thomas Ashe, Terence MacSwiney, Michael Fitzgerald, Joe Murphy, Joseph Whitty, Andy O’Sullivan, Denny Barry, Tony D’Arcy, Jack McNeela, Seán McCaughey, Michael Gaughan, Frank Stagg;

A stone “in loving memory of men, women and children murdered by British forces in Ireland.”

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Like A Pack Of Cards

“Carrickfergus congratulates Rangers FC on their 55th title” on “Champions Row” (that is, Irish Quarter West) Carrickfergus.

As Chairman Dave King appointed Steven Gerrard as the new manager of Rangers in 2018, he predicted that a single league win for Rangers would cause Celtic to “fold like a pack of cards” (Sky Sport). Under Gerrard, Rangers clinched their 55th Scottish championship in spring of 2021. Celtic, however, won in 2022 and 2023 (WP).

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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From The River To The Sea

Saoradh (web) took over this wall from graffiti artists (see Visual History 11) and painted their largest piece in support of Palestinian rights, compared to e.g. Resistance Is Not Terrorism | Ireland Stands With Palestine, but after nearly five years on the wall it is beginning to peel badly. The now-destroyed placards to the right don’t help either – see Palestinian Solidarity.

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Fáılte Go Dtí Rodaí Mhıc Corlaí

A new “fáılte” [“welcome”] mural was painted at the Roddy’s in anticipation of the official opening of the new republican heritage centre/ıonad oıdhreachta poblachtaí (web) which took place on September 28th. Construction of the museum and the adjacent restaurant began in May 2021 with an investment of 1.35 million pounds (Belfast Live). The museum’s exhibits cover republican history from 1798 to the present, and items on display from the Society’s collection include vintage uniforms and artefacts, historic maps and documents, and prison handicrafts.

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The Crown

Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 and after 70 years as monarch of the UK. She was succeeded by Charles III.

“1926-2022 ERII. “Thank you” from the residents of Ballee [Ballymena]”.

The mural is by Craig “Chilli” Gilmore on Ballee Way, above UDR Checkpoint and The Lion Wears The Crown. The in-progress shot is from April.

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The Supreme Price

“In proud [and] loving memory: Vol William Campbell, a true Ulsterman who paid the supreme price for the love of his country. William Campbell, who lost his life on active service 3rd January 2002. Quis separabit. 2nd Batt Coleraine.”

This is the third memorial board to Campbell – who died at the age of 19 when a pipe-bomb exploded prematurely – replacing others seen in 2013 and in 2007.

Tullyarton Road, Harpur’s Hill, Coleraine

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Nook Of The Ferns

Here is a gallery of the larger pieces of street art in Coleraine, starting, above, with Others by emic (ig) in New Row West. Below is Flora And Fauna by Karl Porter of UV Arts (ig).

Many of these pieces (not including the piece above and Hilken’s Salmon Fishing) are part of the ‘Revitalise’ programme from Causeway Coast & Glens borough council (press release | map). There is a separate entry for some of the very many smaller pieces – see Voyage Of Discovery.

Hope (Hope Macaulay knitware (ig)) by Rob Hilken (ig) in Church St

Nook Of The Ferns (from the Irish “cúil rathain”) by emic (ig) in Queen St

Spacer by Shane Sutton (ig) in Queen St – a reference to Alexander Anderson’s work in 1920 on black holes (WP).

Sara O’Neill [ig] And The Fates Of Destiny by Friz (ig)

Willie Stewart by Meadow Toye (ig) in Park St

Salmon Fishing by Rob Hilken (ig) in Circular Rd

Illuminate by Friz (ig) in Abbey St

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Inspire A Generation

“Marching into the future”. The 35th anniversary board – and the Pride Of The Bann flute band (Fb) itself – is still going over a decade after it was mounted in Harpur’s Hill, Coleraine; here is the board in 2012. It has now been joined by a board aimed at young people, designed by members of Sunlea Youth Club.

Tullyarton Road, Coleraine.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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