Above is a new (November 9th, 2013) piece by Damian Walker/Rebel Rebel of the Gael Force Art group (Fb) showing a bleeding poppy with a skull at its centre, under the words “Symbol of British imperialism around the world”. Palestine, Libya, Malvinas, Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan are listed as areas under British influence or occupation. At the bottom, in red streaking paint, we have “Britain out of Ireland”
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01450 Hugo Street
If there’s one thing superheroes like doing, it’s breaking down brick walls. At least, Spider Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Wonder Woman do. Cat Woman crawls in via a tunnel painted on a buttress to the wall at the entrance to the Slıabh Dubh estate. The murals were painted by a local artist and local children. For images from the launch, see Black Mountain Shared Space.
A wide shot was included in Yes Yes Catalonia.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Here are two context shots for the gallery of superheroes featured on Friday. The first shows the Springfield Road police station opposite the Slıabh Dubh estate, while the second, taken while the murals were being painted, shows the Springhill/Westrock massacre mural rising on the Springfield Road behind the gallery of heroes, Thor in this case.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Graffiti on the Forthriver Road, in Glencairn: “RIP Maggie Thatcher. True Legend. The Iron Lady.” Beneath a banner reading “Glencairn demands civil rights for all Protestants now!”
Previously: Various anti-Thatcher graffiti
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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As part of the preparations for the centenary celebrations of the Ulster Volunteer Force, Fernhill House, in Glencairn Park to the west of the Ballygomartin Road, was refurbished. The house and park served as headquarters and training ground for the Ulster Volunteers. For images and video of the parade, which included people dressed in period costume, see the Tele. The name and insignia of the Volunteers — a red hand and the phrase ‘For God and Ulster’ — were re-used in the mid-nineteen-sixties, when the modern UVF was established.
The house in rough shape was recorded last year.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“JFTC2” stands for “Justice for the Craigavon 2” and is the latest Black Mountain project from the GaelForce Art group. Above is a view from Ballymurphy, over the Cú Chulaınn mural on Glenalina Road, and the image below is the view from the Slıabh Dubh estate (off Springfield Road, opposite the barracks), where a new series of super-hero murals (including Spiderman) are currently being painted. The “2” are Brendan McConville and John-Paul Wootton and appeals for the innocence (in the death of PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll), are ongoing. (Video from U.tv.)
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Somewhat battered nail-up (one of a pair) in Springhill Heights, possibly referring to the Provisionals rather than the Real/New/Continuity IRA.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Bi-lingual board from Sınn Féın exhorting people to get on the electoral register: Faıgh do vóta. Gach vóta luachmhar.
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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01380 is everyone in your house counts important tábhachtach
“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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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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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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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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.
Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 