In 2008 and 2009 artist Raymond Henshaw completed a series of cultural boards about the Markets area of Belfast. This is the one about ‘social history’, featuring (as do all the pieces) the streets and people of the area in pre-Troubles times.
There were six boards in total: Portraits | Social | Social History | Sport & Culture | Bars | Industry
Stewart Street, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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St John Vianney Youth Club is in River Terrace in the lower Ormeau area. This mural was supported by Pulse, the New Belfast Community Arts Initiative, the Housing Executive, and Brighten Belfast.
Cooke Street, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Glasgow Celtic football club was founded in 1888 by Brother Walfrid who is partially obscured here by a leaf to the left of centre. Joining him in the apex are (from left to right) Charlie Tully (of Belfast and Glasgow Celtic), Willie Maley (the first manager), [Wilfrid], Billy McNeil lifting the European Cup in 1967, Jock Stein (player 1951-1957 and manager 1965-1978). On the field are former players Henrik Larsson (1997-2004) and Jimmy Johnstone (1962-1965) on either side of the team “doing the huddle”.
Friendly Street, Markets, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Alex “Hurricane” Higgins died on July 24th, and a new mural has been painted in his memory outside The Royal at the top of Sandy Row (shown above).
It joins a slightly older mural on Donegall Avenue, at the end of the street where Higgins grew up, Abingdon Street (which is now Abingdon Drive).
Both are near the clubs where he learned the game – the Jam Pot and the YMCA – before going on to twice become world snooker champion, in 1972 and 1982. He was a heavy smoker and suffered mouth and throat cancers. (WP)
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The photograph of a stretchered soldier giving a ‘thumbs up’ (shown below) was set up and photographed by Captain Ed Hodges of the King’s Royal Hussars in Basra, Iraq, in 2007 (Daily Mail). In silhouette (as shown here) it has become the icon of the Help For Heroes charity raising money for British forces.
Update: also used in Ebor Street in 2013.
Moltke Street, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Young Citizen Volunteers of both the Home Rule (1912) and Troubles periods are shown shouldering rifles.
The mural on the side-wall has been whitewashed – see previously M04214.
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“In loving memory of Vol. John Hanna , murdered by the enemies of Ulster 10th September 1991. Always remembered by the offices and volunteers of 2nd Batt. “B” Coy Village. Its [sic] not for riches nor for glory but the love of one’s country which [we] are prepared to die for. Here lies a soldier. Gone but not forgotten. FGAU.” The two smaller plaques on either side of the RHC wings on the left are to “Friend Sammy Mehaffy 13th November 1991” and “Volunteer Stevie McCrea 18th February 1989”, both “murdered by the enemies of Ulster”.
There was previously a painted “Village B Coy” banner at the bottom of the wall – see M04207.
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Gary Hamilton – world kickboxing champion – www.prokick.com“. Hamilton held the featherweight full contact world title from 2002-2009 (WP). The Prokick gym is in east Belfast.
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The UVF flag contains the flag of England (St. George’s Cross) in one corner and in the other an orange star; “1912” – the year the Ulster Volunteers were founded – in this example is in the top right. The colour-scheme is the reverse of the Orange Order’s: its flag has the purple star of the Williamites on an orange field.
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Women of substance – plúr na mban. The changing role of women the in Market area.” A century of women’s work, from cooking, child-care, and hand-wringing the washing in 1904 to using computers, reading books, and graduating from university in 2004. The pink symbol in the corner is the emblem of the New Belfast Community Arts Initiative.
Stewart Street, Markets, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 