Against Established Law

2013-10-09 CheFallsRd+

“Che Guevara – Blood of an Irish rebel.” A colourful new mural has been completed on the Falls Road (at the end of McQuillan Street) in time for the anniversary of Che Guevara’s death, on October 9th, 1967. The mural features multiple copies of Korda’s iconic Guerillero Heroico (discussed in the Visual History page on Jim Fitzpatrick), two quotes from Che – “When forces of oppression come to maintain themselves in power against established law, peace is considered already broken” and “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine” – and the flags of (from left to right) the Basque Country, Palestine, Ireland, Cuba, Catalonia and Argentina (where Che was born; or perhaps Guatemala, where he was first active – the shield above contains no central icon, which would distinguish the flags).

Che’s father declared that the blood of Irish rebels ran through his son, in reference to their Irish ancestry. For genealogical information, see the previous entry on the Che Guevara Lynch mural in Derry.

The artist is Damian “DeeDee” Walker, of the Gaelforce group. The piece has been in progress for about a month.

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Free Otegi

2013-10-08 FreeOtegi+

This new pro-Basque mural on the International Wall on Divis Street calls for the release of Arnaldo Otegi, one-time ETA member and leader of a pro-Basque party, along with other political prisoners. (More information on Otegi at arnaldotegi.com and WP.) “Pake bidean” is the Basque for “The pathway to peace”.  (The mural is at the eastern end of the wall; takes the place of the Ian Knox anti-racism mural featured in Never Actually Existed.)

Update: Otegi was released in March, 2016 (Irish Times)

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X01375 over 700 political prisoners in Spanish and French jails. Free them all! Stop the political trials in the basque country. Scaoiltear saor uilig iad.

Joe Cahill Perpetual Cup

2013-09-24 CahillWide+

Above is the new Joe Cahill mural in Beechview Park, next to the GAA pitch. The mural was unveiled on September 2nd. (Images of the unveiling from An Phoblacht.) Joe Cahill (WP) holds the cup aloft. The group in the bottom left corner (see the second image, below) are Pat O’Hare, Frank Cahill, Tom Cahill, (the three Cahills were featured in the previous mural) Ned Maguire, Jr., Ned Maguire, Sr., Alec Crowe, Paddy Meenan, Tommy Crowe, Dal Delaney, and Hugh Elliot. In the crook of Cahill’s arm (see third image, below) are Rita McParland, Sean Wallace, Paddy Corrigan, John Pettigrew, and John Stone. None of these adults is still alive; all were from the local area.

The chalet bungalows in the background on the left are gone, but you can see images of them on the Belfast Forum.

The plaque on the left names others in addition: Billy Kelly, Alice Cush, Kate Campbell, John Mulligan, Mary Mulligan, David Mulhern, Margaret Mulhern, John Clarke, Margaret Farrelly, Marie Williams, Kevin Sullivan, Michael Rock, John McColgan, Bridget Maguire, Martin Maguire, Sally Corrigan, Sonny O’Reilly, Maggie McArdle, Jimmy McArdle, Kathleen Wallace, Maragret McGuinness, John Flanagan, Maisie McGuckian, Charlie McGuckian, Anthony Muldoon, Jim Logue, Ellen Weir, Liam Mackie, Oliver McParland, Sadie McMahon, Tommy Crowe, Maddie Holden, Sarah Doyle, Jimmy Doyle, Kathleen Pettigrew, Mary Cushnihan, Bell Cosgrove, Gerry Campbell.

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X01335 X01333 X01334 X01332 in proud remembrance the republican cause annie cahill 26 march 2005, when passing this spot, pause, think of us and erin and smile, Mol an óıge agus tıocfaıdh sí, whiterock,

The Big Plan

2013-09-21 Gaeltacht+

The new Gaeltacht mural on Divis Steet’s International Wall is to mark the launch of The Big Gaeltacht Quarter Plan and the signing of the Gaeltacht Quarter Charter (Tele).

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X01324 an domhan an chathaır ceılıúır próıfíl athléımneach saınıúıl údarach spórt oıdreacht draíocht turascóıreacht oıdeachas teanga cultúr the world the city celebrate profile resilient distinctive authentic sport heritage magic tourism education language culture

Topper Thompson

This is the (second) memorial to Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson in Moyard. He was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.

“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994 aged 25. Deeply missed by never forgotten. Erected by his friends.”

Springfield Park, west Belfast.

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The “Peace” Line

2013-08-22 BombaySt+

Previously we featured an image from the north (loyalist) side of the Cupar Way “peace” line, a.k.a. “war wall” or “wall of hostility” – the wall/fence separating neighbourhoods along the Shankill from those along the Falls. Here are two shots from the south (republican) side of the line, in Bombay Street. Divis tower is visible in the distance in the first. The second, below, shows the additional fencing that covers the backs of some houses.

More information about the west Belfast war wall is included in the Visual History page State Art Vs Graffiti On The West Belfast “Peace” Line.

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Eileen Hickey

2013-08-20 ConwayStHickey+

The ‘Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum‘ — which is across the street behind the Conway Mill — is named for Eileen Hickey, a Provisional IRA member who served time in Armagh prison; she died in 2006, one year before the opening of the museum (obituary at An Phoblacht). A close-up of the woman with a bin lid, in the lower right-hand corner, can be found below.

Next to the opening hours is an image of a prison cell in the Armagh women’s prison. The museum itself contains a cell door and a bed from the prison.

For the Oscar Romero mural in the wide shot, see Eyes That Have Cried. On the right is Australian Aid.

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2013-08-20 ConwayStCell+

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T01619 (courtesy of Paddy Duffy 2023)
Conway Link/Street out of the ashes, harp, maze long kesh

Australian Aid

2013-08-20 ConwayStBanners+

Above is an extra-wide shot (2700 pixels) of another panel from the wall next to the Republican Museum on Conway Street (next to the previously featured Eileen Hickey). The mural features banners of two Australian Republican support-groups, holding banners reading “Australian Aid for Ireland QLD [Queensland] Branch – The Spirit of Freedom” and “The Casement Support Group – Saoirse Melbourne”.

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X01281 lark, fuiseog, old branch hunger strike amnesty