City/Town

Comóradh 40 Staılc Ocraıs

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On Sunday March 22nd, 1981, forty years ago this week, Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O’Hara joined Bobby Sands and Francis Hughes on hunger strike in Long Kesh/HMP Maze. They would be joined by 19 more prisoners before the strike ended with ten of the 23 meeting their deaths. On March 31st, 1974, Michael Gaughan went on hunger strike in Parkhurst, along with four others, including Frank Stagg. Gaughan died in June as a result of forced feeding; Stagg would die on a later strike, in February 1976.

The board is on the site of the former Andersonstown RUC barracks.

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Copyright © 2021 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Londonderry Says “No”

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Two more pieces of graffiti from Londonderry against the ‘NI Protocol’ that is part of the Brexit agreement. Above, “Londonderry says no to Irish Sea border” and below, “No Irish Sea border! N[o] S[urrender]”. Previously: And The Cry Was “No Irish Sea Border” | Byrne Out, Foster Out

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Copyright © 2021 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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A Vision Of A Better Belfast

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This is the latest iteration of the “Build Homes Now” mural in Northumberland Street, with an update to the central panel. Previously it was a space for visitors to sign their names in support but now it is a quote from (presumably) someone living in temporary accommodation: “When you’re in a hostel for so long, it starts to feel like a jail. It’s just so irritating and frustrating.”

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We Continue The Fight

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“Our forefathers fought for our freedom and rights – no border in the sea or we continue the fight.” The uppermost placard – showing a hooded gunman – appeared in various town and drew complaints to the PSNI, who said that they were working with local groups to secure its removal (Irish News). It was condemned by UUP and DUP politicians (BelTel). The instance here is on a pole outside Armagh gaol. For most of its existence (beginning in 1780), HM Prison Armagh was a women-only institution. Its inmates included the three republican prisoners who went on hunger strike in 1980, simultaneously with men in Long Kesh/Maze. The building ceased to function as a gaol in 1986.

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Bravo, Ulster!

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In the gunrunning by the Ulster Volunteers in April 1914, immediately upon docking in Larne weapons and ammunition were offloaded from the SS Clyde Valley onto two motor-boats which then headed for Donaghadee. A drawing of the unloading there, with the lighthouse in the background, was published as a postcard (you can see the b&w original at History Ireland). This time, of course, it’s not Home Rule that threatens unionists but the NI Protocol that is part of Brexit. “Play your part in opposing the border in the Irish Sea – Markethill stands up.”

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