City/Town

The Ghosts Of The Martyrs

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“In proud and loving memory of all local volunteers, prisoners of war, republican activists and the unsung heroes who died of natural causes having served the cause of Irish republicanism [“sean óglach” on the individual plaques]. Together in unity you formed a bond which gave true meaning to the undefeated risen people. Your deeds of bravery and resistance will never be forgotten by the people of greater St. James’s. In your honour the quest for Irish freedom continues.” With the famous “our steps will be onward” quote from Máire Drumm at an anti-internment rally in Dunville Park on 10th August, 1975 (RN). Coıste Cuımhneacháın Lár Na bhFál/Ard Na bhFeá [Memorial committee of mid-Falls/Beechmount]. For some more of the plaques, see The Unsung Heroes.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Know Your History

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“If you know your history …” – a mural sponsored by the Belfast Celtic Society in St. James’s Crescent celebrates some star players – Charlie Tully (WP), Paddy Bonnar, and  Jimmy Jones (WP) – and the old playing ground, Celtic Park or ‘Paradise’, on Donegall Road. Wide shot and close-ups below. (Belfast Telegraph write-up.)

Video from the Belfast Celtic Society of the work in progress and of the unveiling – Jimmy Jones was there in person.

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Give Us R Future

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“We dont want the past”. A chronicle of the Troubles in Ardoyne: Orange marches, IRA shows of strength, rioting, plastic bullets, the blanket protest, funerals, vigilantism, Holy Cross.

Three close-ups (from 2014) are included below:
Both the satellite dish and the lodge-member in the board sport an orange collar(ette).
A soldier (or possibly a paramilitary) with a rifle and gas-mask  squats against a wall while another stands behind him with a baton.
Rioters under the word “freedom” on a wall and a soldier with plastic bullets. 

For the mural when new, see J1908. The board began life in colour, but, as can be seen from the wide shot below, has now faded mostly to black and white.

Jamaica Way, Ardoyne, north Belfast.

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Cogús

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Cogús [conscience] is the POW-support organisation of the RNU (web). On the left is a blanketman, on the right is a contemporary POW being beaten by a prison guard in riot gear. “Make a difference – Join RNU – Be committed, stand as one – Implement 12th August Agreement – End strip searches – End controlled movement.”

Berwick Road, Ard Eoın.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The End Of An Illusion

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In the summer of 2011, both sides of the Flax St/Crumlin Rd interface were pasted with images of the view from the other side, a city scene on the Flax St side as though looking into Woodvale, a hilly scene on the Crumlin Rd as though looking up Flax Street. You can see the Crumlin Road side on Street View. What remains of the other side can be seen in the image above, along with IRPWA posters (see below) concerning “Maghaberry Concentration Camp”, calling “on Sinn Fein [sic] to publicly state that the interpretation of the August agreement of 2010 is the correct one … [and to] … call on their members and supporters to get behind the protesting POWs.”

Both the type of “MagHaberry” and the arrangement of the posters make the connection to the H Blocks of the 1970s and 80s.

See also: A Dead End

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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1981-2011

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For the 30th anniversary of the second hunger strike, the mosaic portraits of the ten men to die (plus Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg) used at the Falls Road end of Beechmount Avenue to commemorate the 25th anniversary, are placed around the blanketmen board above the Clowney Street phoenix.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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In Vogue

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This piece of wild-style writing by RASER and AKEN of TMN krew (which replaces last year’s eagle) is remarkable for its location, which is on the Falls Road just past the Falls/Glen roundabout (site of the former RUC barracks). As such, it is (still) the only piece of non-sectarian art in a CNR area. This wall is presumably painted with the permission (and perhaps at the invitation of) the owners of the salon.

Glen Parade, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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