The Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast readies itself for the Twelfth: above, a few pallets are collected in Thistle Court, just across the Short Strand “peace” line; immediately below, bunting in Tower Street; finally, flags flying on the “understanding” mural in Lendrick Street.
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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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New work by Dave Bonzai (ig) William Street, Derry, part of the ‘Get Up Derry’ festival of graffiti and street art.
Previously by Bonzai (with Bodé) in Derry: Metalmorphosis.
Also from Get Up: Crash Bandicoot in Strand Road.
Replaces OMIN’s Great Hunger battering ram: Stars Look Down.
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Copyright © 2023 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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During the second World War, six basic designs for pillboxes, numbered from ‘Type 22’ to ‘Type 27’ were promulgated by the division of Fortifications And Works as part of anti-invasion planning (WP). This Type 24 is still standing in a corner of the Oval grounds in east Belfast. This image – showing the door – is of the rear of the pillbox; the anticipated line of attack was along Belfast Lough.
“The Oval’s Type-24. In the early hours of the 5th of may the German Luftwaffe (air force) attacked a number of targets in the heart of Belfast. This ‘Type 24’ military pillbox was one of the defence positions around the city which was manned on that morning by a platoon of soldiers of the Gloucestershire Regiment who were based at nearby Victoria Park. … The Oval, the home of Glentoran Football Club was reduced to smouldering rubble as bombs and incendiary mines landed on an area perceived by German intelligence to be an oil storage facility adjacent to both Harland and Wolff shipyard and Short Brothers aircraft factory.”
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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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As part of the ‘Get Up Derry’ graffiti and street art jam, seven substantial panels were painted at the Tesco superstore in Quayside, including work by NOYS (ig), Zippy (ig), emic (ig), PENS (ig), Kyle McGinley (ig), Friz (ig), and Razer (ig).
See also: Crash Bandicoot | Liquid Chrome Shamrock
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Here is a gallery of images from last week’s project to repaint a long wall at the Oval in east Belfast – about 14 young people took part, assisted by sprayers from 5th Element (ig), with sponsorship from the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Glentoran FC, and Choice Housing (Belfast Live).
For more 5th Element, see A Brighter Day.
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“… in a safe community.” “Young people at work” in east Belfast on the Dee Street bridge onto “The Island”.
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On January 30th, 1972, the Parachute Regiment, 1st battalion (“1 Para”), opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry’s Bogside, hitting dozens of people of which fourteen ultimately died.
Seven of the dead were teenagers, including Gerald (“Gerard”) Donaghey/Donaghy, who is featured (in younger days) in the apex of this new mural commemorating the dead, none of whom were judged to be attacking Army soldiers when they were shot.
It was alleged, however, that Donaghey had nail bombs in his pockets. This judgment was upheld in the Saville Report, though most of the people who were with him and who handled his body – including the medical officer who pronounced him dead – did not see any bombs (WP | BelTel). The launch was on June 15th, the same date that the Saville Report was issued in 2010.
The ‘Bloody Sunday ’72’ emblem is to Donaghey’s right – see Bloody Sunday 72 | Domhnach Na Fola | Remember Bloody Sunday. The oak leaf is a symbol of Derry.
Painted by JMK (ig) in Fahan Street, Derry, (on the wall that was briefly home to the Mike Jackson “War Criminal” mural – see From The Top Down). The owner of the gable wall granted permission for the painting of the mural (see the video of the launch on the Museum Of Free Derry’s youtube channel).
The names of the 14 dead and 17 injured on the side walls were painted by Paddy Nelis (tw). His previous work includes the 2013 Brıogáıd Dhoıre mural in Lecky Road and in 2022 (with Razer) the Bogisde mural to his brother, Donncha Mac Nıallaıs.
As a fıan, there is a plaque to Donaghey at the spot where he was killed in Glenfada Park (M09537) and he was included in the roll of honour in Shantallow (X02870).
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Copyright © 2023 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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“Honi soit qui mal y pense” is the motto of the Order Of The Garter. It appears together with “Dieu et mon droit” (“God and my right”) in the UK’s royal coat of arms (see e.g. United Kingdom). The former means, roughly, “Shame to he who thinks bad of it”, the “it” in this case being the English royals’ designs on France (in the 1300s) and in general the monarchy and its God-given right to rule.
The latest divinely-anointed monarch is Charles III, crowned on May 6th. He was preceded by Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years: “East Belfast would like to thank her majesty Queen Elizabeth II on devoting 70 years of service to our great nation. God save the Queen.”
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The guillemot is distinctive for its red “gape” (inside of mouth). It spends most of its time on and around water but nests on cliff ledges and other remote spaces in May (BirdWatchIreland). The pointed shape of the egg makes it less likely to fall off cliffs (British Birds). They have been nesting in Bangor since at least 1911 (Geograph). If you can’t spot any at the marina, you can check out this mural by Dan Leo (ig) in nearby Victoria Road.
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Before rock band Thin Lizzy played the King’s Club at the Queen’s Court hotel in Bangor on July 27th, 1974 (Thin Lizzy Guide), they took to the water in order to take in the town. They were photographed in the act by Dublin photographer Liam Quigley (Indo profile), and the picture (see it at Thin Lizzy Guide) was turned into a mural by Friz (ig) in Crosby Street, Bangor, last year.
Original guitarist Eric Bell (who was also a member of Them) is featured in a mural of famous faces in east Belfast – see Inspiring Belfast.
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 