Culann’s Hound

03632 2016-07-05 Cu Chulainn+

“Cú Chulaınn” is Irish for “Culann’s Hound” after the boy Setanta killed the smith’s hound and promised to take its place until another one was raised. In one version of the legend, Setanta kills the original hound by driving a slıotar (hurley ball) down its throat – hence the hero is shown here holding a camán (hurley stick) rather than a sword. In the original picture on which this mural is based, the hero is not Cú Chulaınn but Jim Fitzpatrick’s vision of Nuada Silverarm and he carries a sword.

On the right hand side, Tuan the hawk/eagle/sea-raven bears witness to all of Irish history.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03632 central drive

Tír Na nÓg

03631 2016-07-05 Tir na nOg+

In the myths of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Fıan Oısín falls in love with Nıamh from the Land Of Youth, but after three years — which is 300 human years — he yearns to return to Ireland. She gives him a magic horse that will preserve his youth while he remains on it. But he falls from it and dies of old age.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03631 central drive, Derry/Doıre

Breaking The Chains

03624 2016-07-04 Mickey Devine+

This new full-size mural to INLA hunger striker Mickey Devine replaces a smaller black-and-white board (for which see Waked & Buried).

03625 2016-07-04 Mickey Devine slant+

03621 2016-07-04 Oglach Mickey Devine+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03624 X03625 X03621 Rathkeele Way In proud and loving memory of Óglach Mickey Devine. Died 20th August 1981 in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh after 60 days on hunger-strike. Mickey was waked and buried from this house, the family home of his sister Margaret. Also died 30th March 2005.

Know Evil

03620-2016-07-03-see-hear-speak

Instead of three monkeys, this IRPWA board in London-/Derry/Doire shows three skeletons in denial of the ‘strip searching’, ‘controlled movement’ and ‘internment’ happening at HM Prison Maghaberry (with an enlarged “H” to make an association with Long Kesh/Maze).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03620 rossville st

Unfinished Business

03616 2016-07-03 Unfinished Revolution+

The centenary of the Easter Rising, 1916 – 2016, serves as a touchstone for the painters of this mural in Derry who hold that the work of the rebellion is incomplete: “Unfinished revolution, unfinished business”. The same slogan and image of a hoodied volunteer appears in two murals both entitled Resistance, one in Belfastone in Derry.

Update: In the last 24 hours, the papers are reporting that “Join the IRA” has been added to the board, which has been condemned as a hate crime by local DUP politician Gary Middleton. For more, and a pic, see Derry Journal.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03616 westland street

Who Fears A United Ireland?

03602-2016-07-02-fdc-connolly

The night before he was executed for his part in the Easter Rising, republican leader James Connolly (5.6.1888-12.5.1916) penned a brief statement calling the British presence in Ireland “a usurpation and a crime against human progress” and declaring “The British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, never can have any right in Ireland”. Here are two images of Free Derry corner with Connolly’s quote, including The Petrol Bomber by the Bogside Artists and and “SFRY” (Sinn Féin Republican Youth) banner on the railings.

03601-2016-07-02-who-fears-a-united-ireland

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03602 X03601 lecky rd