Words of wisdom from the back of the Stoker’s Halt in east Belfast: “Remember … everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be nice. – Mr Andrews, 2015”. Please get in touch if you know who “Mr Andrews” is!
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Shovelling coal in the glow of a fire. Street art by Verz (Fb) on the Holland Drive side of The Stoker’s Halt (web) in east Belfast.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04228 X04229 Reproduces a Soviet-era poster that includes Russian to the effect of “5 years [plan] in 4 – do it!”
This is one of the four murals at the Stoker’s Halt, on the Upper Newtownards Road, probably by DMC (Dermot McConaghy). The others are JMK’s old man (see Wrinkle In Time), Be Nice by Verz, and The Stoker himself, also by Verz.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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This street art by Jonny McKerr (Tw | Fb) is at the Stoker’s Halt in east Belfast. See also: Stoker’s Halt | Be Nice | Lady In Blue.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“The Stormont swamp is irreformable”, claims the TUV election manifesto. “It’s time to drain it.” The expression “drain the swamp” in politics goes back to (at least) 1903 when it was used by an American socialist in reference to capitalistic influence in and is borrowed from the literal practice of draining swamps in order to reduce mosquitoes, and so, malaria.
Another Americanism is shown in the second image: Barak Obama’s “Yes we can” became Hillary Clinton’s “Yes, she can”, which Naomi Long (Alliance), the #gingerninja, is using for her own campaign.
Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The UK general election takes place on Thursday (June 8th), only two years after the previous one. The (British) Conservative party hopes to increase its majority of 17 seats/votes. The NI Conservatives (web) are fielding candidates in 7 of the 18 seats but are not expected to contribute to the overall Conservative tally.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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As the plaque in the third images shows, the mural was originally painted in 2006 for the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. The plaque was originally in the plinth below the headstone – see Killed In Action. The side wall was painted last year for the 100th anniversary.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Clonduff” in English and “Kyefiel” in Ulster Scots, a transliteration and a translation of the Irish “Cluain Daimh”, the meadow of the ox, and thus the sculpture shown above at the entrance to the area. Below are two images of “Tullyard Way”, translated into Ulster Scots as “Heichbrae Airt” from the Irish “tulach ard” (high hillside). The street signs were initially mistaken for Irish and torn down by local residents (Scots Anorak | BBC-NI).
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Here are two images from UK GE 2017. Above, Sınn Féın placards in a variety of bright colours (plus one for unsuccessful North Belfast candidate John Finucane). Below, “Choose Christ” and you could find both security and change!
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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It’s back to polls on Thursday for the UK General Election, including 18 Northern Ireland constituencies. The Alliance Party is an “Other” party, neither nationalist nor unionist. Party leader Naomi Long is standing in east Belfast.
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Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 