City/Town

Andrew Murphy Memorial

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2014-05-05 MurphyDetail+

The close-up above is from the ‘Andrew Murphy Memorial’ mural at the top of Grange Drive, Ballyclare, showing King Billy crossing the Boyne. (full mural below)

‘Andrew Murphy Memorial’ is a flute band from Carluke, Scotland. According to the band’s Fb page, the band was formed in 1988 and named after a member of the Carluke Orange Lodge (LOL 190). Here is video of the band  parading in Belfast, at the UVF centenary celebrations last year (2013).

2014-05-05 MurphyWide+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Together We Stand Alone

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2014-05-05 StandAloneDetail+

UVF/YCV mural in Ballyclare celebrating and commemorating soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division in WWI and in particular at the Somme. The central panel, shown above, shows soldiers bearing the Division’s standard (painted in colour in an otherwise black-and-white mural and in the style of the (US) Marines ‘Iwo Jima’ Memorial (WP)) which comprises the Union flag, harp insignia of the Royal Irish Rifles, and the red hand of Ulster on a field of shamrocks.

The other panels, shown in the full shot, below, show (clockwise from top left) uniforms of the Ulster Volunteers, a Protestant woman defending the fields (see Deserted! Well, I Can Stand Alone), soldiers going over the top, and soldiers bowed at a UVF memorial.

2014-05-05 StandAloneFull+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01830 X01831 we band of brothers Henry V shakespeare

In-Former Republicans

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2014-05-03 BostonTouts+

More graffiti relating to the Gerry Adams arrest last week, this time on Divis Street: “In-Former Republicans – Boston College touts”. The graffiti refers to a collection of interviews made by former members of paramilitary groups (on both sides), some of which the PSNI gained access to after legal action and which are reported to have formed the basis of Adams’s interrogation. More background from the BBC.

The graffiti also appeared in Wall Street.

Previously in this location: Divis Isn’t Working.

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Copyright © 2014 Extramural Activity
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Get The Real Story

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2014-05-03 AdamsRealStory+

“Peacemaker, leader, visionary”. A new mural of Sınn Féın leader Gerry Adams was officially unveiled yesterday (Saturday, May 3rd, 2014), taking its place on the International Wall between the Local Volunteers mural and the current WBTA mural (and replacing the Falls Curfew mural).

The second image, below, is of the Adams piece alone. The mural was quickly painted after Adams’s arrest on Wednesday evening (April 30th) after he went for questioning about the Jean McConville case (see also: Headstone); he was released today without charge. An earlier version of the mural (completed May 2) had the word “tout” spray-painted on it on the night of May 2nd-3rd, in the location where “ar aghaıdh lınn” now appears.

A sizeable crowd turned out, as the launch served as a rally in support of Adams, featuring a statement by Martin McGuinness. As can be seen in the third image, below, of McGuinness and Martina Anderson, protesters at the unveiling/rally carried posters showing a picture of Adams with Nelson Mandela, between the words “Defend the peace process – Release Gerry Adams TD”. Video of the launch/rally from the BBC | images from the BelTel.

For the WBTA mural on the left, see Local History From Local People.

2014-05-03 Adams+

2014-05-03 McGuinnesssAnderson+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01813 X03002 X01816 fear an phobaıl, ar aghaıgh linn, west belfast taxi association local history from local people 40 years unbroken service

#Time4Truth

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2014-05-03 Time4Truth+

Before the Gerry Adams arrest dominated the headlines (Get The Real Story), the major issue of last week was the announcement by NI Secretary Theresa Villiers (BBC-NI) that there would be no further investigation of the La Mon Restaurant bombing – in which 12 people died (WP) – or the Ballymurphy Massacre – in which 11 died (WP). Relatives of both sets of deceased were disappointed by the announcement, and on the republican side, Gael Force Art in conjunction with Relatives For Justice took to Slıabh Dubh to promote the latter’s #Time4Truth campaign. Below is an already-existing board on the lower side of Springfield Road, painted by Rısteard Ó Murchú, making the same demand.

2014-05-02 Ballym1971+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01817 X01810 quinn mullan connolly teggart philips murphy mccarthy doherty laverty corr mckerr we demand the truth black mountain

Death Driving

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2014-05-02 JoyridingMurder+

Poster from the junction of Whiterock and Springfield Roads: “It’s not joyriding, it’s murder. Debbie McComb Aged 15 Killed by car thieves, March 1, 2002.” McComb died of her injuries after being hit by Henry Marley, who was driving a stolen car and drove through a red light. Her death and other deaths led to a substantial campaign against “death drivers” in 2002 (see, for example, An Phoblacht | The (Sunday) People). Marley was sentenced in April of this year for colliding into two other cars (Newsletter).

Previously: A Philosophy Of Liberation (lower Falls joyriding)

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Purity In Our Hearts

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2014-04-29 ArdEoinFianna+

“Purity in our hearts, strength in our arms, truth in our lips.” Easter Saturday (April 19th) saw the launch of a new RNU tribute to four teenaged members of Na Fıanna Éıreann who died in 1972: Davy McAuley, Josh Campbell, Josie McComiskey and Bernard Fox – all four from Ardoyne/Ard Eoın.

Dates of death are given on the plaque, below. McAuley died of a gunshot wound, perhaps at a Louth training camp (Nelson McCausland). Campbell was shot in Eksdale Street in a gun battle with the British Army; McComiskey was shot in Flax Street in a gun battle with the British Army; Fox was shot by British Army in Brompton Street.

The third image is a wide shot showing the piece and a new memorial garden.

The work is unveiled at the beginning of this video of the event.

2014-04-29 ArdEoinFiannaPlaque+

2014-04-29 ArdEoinFiannaWide+

2014-08-14 RhythmWide+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01807 X01808 X01809 X02083 1909-2009 100 year of resistance you may kill the revolutionary but never the revolution network unity honour ardoyne’s fallen fıanna all of whom lived in ardoyne and died tragically on active service in 1972 Truth on our lips