A 1916 centenary mural on Divis Street with the red star of socialism and the Easter lily of Irish nationalism: “Republican Socialist movement — IRSP INLA — remembers and salutes all those who gave their lives and liberty in the struggle for national liberation and socialism in Ireland.”
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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A line from James Connolly’s 1897 piece “Socialism And Nationalism” is adapted by the IRSP for the current post-partition situation: “England will still rule you, she would rule you through her bankers, landlords and Stormont”.
Connolly’s original thought is that – even in a self-governing republic – nationalism is not enough to establish an authentically Irish state: “If you remove the English army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain. England would still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers, through the whole array of commercial and individualist institutions she has planted in this country and watered with the tears of our mothers and the blood of our martyrs.”
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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A history of nationalism/republicanism from left to right: a pair of Easter lilies, four generations of rifles, and then a switch to a ballot paper with a check in favour of “unity” and a road named “Unity Way”: “From bullet to ballot: the evolution of our revolution. 1916 – 2016”
This mural is on the north side of Hugo Street – the south side remains exclusively éırígí.
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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Verz‘s doberman has its ears fully erect and paying attention to the passers-by in Union Street. This is one of his ‘Dogs On The Street’ series – see previously: Full-Bodied | Psychedelic Dog
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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While taking part in the Easter Rising centenary parade, members of the James Connolly 1st Republican Flute Band from Glasgow (tw) pause on the Falls Road during a squall. Embroidered on the rear of their shirts are the words “We serve neither king nor kaiser, but Ireland”, the slogan which hung outside the ITGWU’s Liberty Hall during the first world war. Image courtesy of Bronagh Bowerman.
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Copyright © 2016 Bronagh Bowerman
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The shutters are down on the Mill Diner on the upper Crumlin Road. Proprietor Tommy McAuley was shot by the UVF in 1987 in retaliation for the Enniskillen bombing. His case was examined by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) who reported (in 2011) that the police did not question suspects identified by witnesses and the family lobbied the ombudsman to reopen the case (U.tv). In 2014 they did not have any success (North Belfast News) but the case was reopened in 2015 (BMG).
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Artist emic (Eoin McGinn) left this parting piece on the shutters of LOFT (Belfast Art Studio & Collective web | Fb) which had to leave its 99 North St address in January due to the impending development of the area. Below is the Sonic The Hedgehog piece it replaces (which itself is on top of the re:Store couch.
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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In parody of “culture night”, self-proclaimed “culture blight” on North Street by members of TMN crew – RASE, ReckOne, Colleen, Rosebud.
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Street art by TMN (The Most Nasty) krew in McKibben’s Court, Belfast. Get in touch if you can identify the person portrayed.
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Immaculata amateur boxing club (Fb) (or simply “The Mac”) in the Lower Falls will celebrate its 70th birthday in May this year. This long mural, painted in 2015 and featuring boxing past and present, is in Servia Street, near the club’s Albert Street home.
Previously: Come On The Mac
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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 