The starting-point for the Ballymurphy Massacre tour (below) is on the so-called International Wall (at the corner of Divis Street and Northumberland Street) but the first site is two miles away, in Springfield Close. The third stop, shown above, commemorates the lives of Joseph Corr and John Laverty, killed in separate incidents by British Army paratroopers (distinguished by their red berets) on August 11, 1971, at the top of the Whiterock Road.
“Is deontóır me [mé]. Deonú orgán. Yes I donate. Organ donation.” Dáıthí Mac Gabhann (Donate4Daithí Fb) who suffers from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, has been looking for a donor heart since January 2018. The new mural is on the “International Wall” in CNR west Belfast; here is an image from the Whiterock Road from the 2018 campaign. Organ Donation Week runs from September 7th to 13th. Artist Tony Bell has completed a painting to support the campaign; it is on display in An Cultúrlann.
Another World Belfast (web | Fb) collects toiletries and underwear for distribution – via local charities and community groups – in “Love Packs”. This ‘heart of hearts’ mural in support of the project is in the grounds of the Vault Artists (Fb) in East Belfast.
Artists from the arts collective Vault (web | tw) painted new pieces on the Tower Street side of the building in advance of the Summer Market on August 16th. Above is a Conor McClure painting of an artist puking up his creative guts. The piece in the middle is probably Leo Boyd. At the bottom is work by Dragoș Mușat.
Rob Hilken, Sally O’Dowd, Leo Boyd, Laura Nelson, Hannah Smith, Jonny McEwen, ?FGB, Dragoș Mușat, Conor McClure, Leo Boyd, FGB, Sally O’Dowd, Kerrie Hannah, Leo Boyd
Keeping an eye on the courtyard of Vault HQ (web | ig) in Tower Street, a majestic tiger by Friz (web | ig). The tiger is in the third spot. FGB’s raspberry man is in the first spot. Cherries by unknown artist in the fourth; the fifth spot is “25 Tower Street” by Ed Reynolds. The wide shot shows the five panels plus Show Some Love and FGB’s Build Communities. “Yes Big Lad” and the flower tribute to Ash are on the other side of the carpark, near the road.
“I am not an Ulsterman but yesterday, the First of July, as I followed their amazing attack, I felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the world. – Wilfred [Wilfrid] Spender – The Somme 1916”. Spender was born in England but served as quartermaster of the Ulster Volunteers and general staff officer of the 36th (Ulster) Division. He won the Military Cross for actions at Thiepval, and became Cabinet Secretary of the new “Northern Ireland” in 1921 (WP). His words are on one of three new murals in Belvoir Park, alongside two large flags – the Union Flag and Ulster Banner. Above the WWI mural old RHC lettering is causing the paint to fall away.
“Wear a mask – it hasn’t gone away, you know.” The last two weeks have seen two coronavirus deaths but 800 new cases (Health NI | BBC). Sınn Féın’s Gerry Adams remarked, on Sunday 13 August, 1995, that the IRA “haven’t gone away” (YouTube).
Clare Crockett gave up her acting career (IMDb) to become a Servant Sister. She is pictured in the info board along with the five postulants who died with her during a 2016 earthquake in Playa Prieta, Ecuador. A web site has been established in her memory and a movie made about her life; there have been calls to make her a saint (Irish News). (Update, Jan 2025: Crockett is to be beatified – Irish Times)
Painted by UV Arts (tw) in Derry’s Brandywell, where she originally came from (BelTel).
“Sr Clare Crockett was born in Derry 14th November 1982. The daughter of Gerard and Margaret Crockett. During a Holy Week Retreat in Spain in the year 2000 she experienced the intensity of the Lord’s Death and Resurrection that led to a deep conversion of her life. Sr Clare entered the Servant Sisters of the House of the Mother 11th August 2001. She went to found a new community in Jacksonville, Florida in October 2006. Sr Clare took Perpetual vows 8th September 2010. In 2014, Sr Clare undertook the mission in Ecuador. She died in an Earthquake, protecting her pupils 16th April 2016. She was buried in Derry 2nd May 2016.”
“Sister Clare’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, for your Glory, that or [of] your beloved Son, that of the Holy Spirit and that of the Mother Of God, we ask that grant us the grace (mention your request in the silence of your heart) … as a sign that the life of our Sister Clare Theresa Crockett has been pleasing to you on this earth and that she is now rejoicing with you in Heaven. We ask this through your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Blue is the colour of the “#Remember My Noah” campaign to get answers in the disappearance of teen Noah Donohoe ten weeks ago. Gael Force Art (Fb) took to Sliabh Dubh and put a message on the mountain, with help from some of the Donohoe relatives from Strabane (video).
“The people of Derry support the Donohoe family.” Free Derry Corner is given blue hearts in support of the campaign for more information about the disappearance of Belfast teenager Noah. See previously: #RememberMyNoah | Wide Blue Yonder | Gloria Ab Intus.
A small photograph of John Hume, which was added to the yellow version of the “NHS keyworkers” wall after his death on August 3rd was shifted from the centre to the left-hand side.
Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 