“VE Day” in large letters composed of images, portraits of servicemen, and newspaper front pages (“It’s Over In Europe”, “Germany Quits” and so on) from the period at the end of WWII in Europe, installed along the Shore Road, Belfast, for the 75th anniversary of the event.
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May 8th this year (2020) marks the 75th anniversary of victory over the Nazis in Europe, or VE Day. (The war against Japan would not end until August 1945.) Celebrations were muted, however, by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which meant that people dared not congregate in parades or services to mark the occasion. The bunting above is in Sperrin Park in Londonderry’s Caw, which took part in the socially-distanced street party; the window below, which gives dual attention to both VE Day and NHS workers, is in Alexandra Park Avenue in Belfast.
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The civic spirit of Bedfordshire’s Captain Tom Moore has been celebrated in murals across the UK, including this one by Blaze FX in Clonduff. Moore attempted to raise funds for the NHS by doing laps around his garden with his walker in advance of his hundredth birthday. He originally aimed at raising 1,000 pounds but ended up raising 30 million after the effort went viral.
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“Eıthne – daughter of (Evil Eye) Balor and maternal grandmother of Fıonn Mac Cumhaıll, Eıthne was imprisoned in a glass tower on Tory Island because of a prophecy that a child of hers would grow to defeat Balor in battle. Despite Eıthne’s imprisonment the prophecy was fulfilled.” This Eıthne is in the foyer of the “house” (tower block) that bears her name: Teach Eıthne in the New Lodge.
Le buíochas do Mícheál Ó D as an ıontráıl.
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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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The foundation stone for North Belfast Memorial Hall (Fb) was laid by Edward Carson in 1923 (Fb) to a plan by Gabriel Porte. Here is the facade in brilliant sunshine, with a banner in support of NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family together fighting Covid-19.”
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The bilingual sign says “temporary enclosure” but neither the Irish News or the Belfast Telegraph has been able to get a comment from the Chinese Consulate in Malone Road about the “ring of steel” erected around (what is currently known as) MacNeice house. Local residents have complained that the fence, which replaces a hedge, is an eyesore, not fitting for Malone Conservation Area.
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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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Two cases are currently under deliberation concerning the establishment of abortion services in Northern Ireland after the vote in Westminster during the suspension of Stormont. One, heard in May, was taken by the NI Human Rights Commission in support of services (BBC), and the other, heard last week, was brought by SPUC (web) alleges that the NI Secretary lacks the authority to direct Stormont to establish services (BBC).
The pro-life stencil shown here is on the Antrim Road, below the Fortwilliam shops.
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A gate was installed in the Alexandra Park “peace” line in 2011 (see this image from that year) which is opened daily to allow pedestrian traffic between Mountcollyer and Newington. During the pandemic, however, the gate has been closed for weeks and there is confusion over the reason – originally it was said to be due to staffing issues but anti-social behaviour has also been mentioned (Irish News).
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“Social distancing” during the coronavirus epidemic means maintaining a physical distance in social situations rather than not having any communication with society. On the contrary, communities are working together perhaps more closely than normal in order to assist those who are in need of support. The Sınn Féın board, above, on the railings of the Duncairn Centre (web) (formerly Duncairn Presbyterian). Identical signs at the Waterworks and Cherryvale drew comment from Alliance as being party-political in shared spaces (BelTel).
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Some communities, because of their previous piety, have the ear of the Lord, and need only pray when the Lord sends drought or locusts or pestilence in order to be granted relief (2 Chronicles 7: 14). This mural suggests that the people of Tiger’s Bay are one such people, but that they need to start praying if they want to be freed from the Coronavirus.
Biblical reference on the wall: Rev 18:4 | John 15:13 | Gen 38:28 | Luke 1:31-33 & 2 Sam 7:16
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 