political

Not For EU

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“”Not for EU” label. Some items in this store are only for sale in Northern Ireland. Individual product labels and shelf markings showing ‘Not for EU’ will identify the products to which this applies.”

The labelling is part of the Windsor Framework’s attempt to facilitate trade between Britain and Northern Ireland, given that products moving from Northern Ireland to the Republic are also subject to EU regulations for meat, dairy, and plant products (Irish Times).

Also included is a “plant passport” from 2022.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025/2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X13855 [X13854] X14650
X10414

Pride Of Ardoyne

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Pride Of Ardoyne flute band memorial site was overhauled in November. The silhouetted bandsmen (seen in Pride Of Ardoyne) are gone and the cross and wooden plaque at the top (see Billy Hanna) have been joined by two large boards, naming “J. Bailey, W. Hanna, S. Rockett, B. McClure” and, (on the drum) “Charlie Dunn (1957-2021)”, along with 20 small plaques of these five plus 15 more who are an “absent member”, “absent friend”, and “loyal supporter”.

For Bailey, see On This Day. For Rockett, see Essence And Space. For McClure, see UPI. For Dunn, see the band’s Fb Page.

The image below is of a 50th anniversary Pride Of Ardoyne flag inside the door of Lainey’s craft shop on the Shankill Road.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024/2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14869 X14870 X11809

The Hardships Our Children Must Endure Tomorrow

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Sandy Row says “no” to an Irish Sea border, but “yes” to Israel’s invasion of Gaza. The verbiage along the bottom of the tarp reads, “The battles we refuse to fight today become the hardships our children must endure tomorrow.”

The tarp is on the Rangers “55” hoarding on Sandy Row, and was recorded previously in Let Us Shout Joyfully.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14774 X14775

Fight The Rich, Feed The Poor

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Fight the rich, feed the poor – Éıstıgí” (also “Free Gaza”) along Lecky Road in Derry’s Bogside.

Éıstıgí, or “listen, yous-uns” in Derry/Doıre, is the youth organisation associated with Soaradh (web); it promotes a socialist (and republican) ideology.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
X14686 X14687 X14688 X14685

Don Phobaıl Uılıg

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

90% of Meenan Square was bought by Apex Housing for redevelopment with funds from the Executive Office (EO Press Release | Derry Now) in April 2023. 11 million pounds of T:BUC’s 45 million has been put towards the project (Derry Journal). Demolition took place in August, 2021, but it remains a waste-ground. In the meantime, Saoradh (web) and the IRPWA (web) have commandeered the hoarding for two tarps protesting “British Crown forces’ sectarian targeting of republican families” and “sectarian political policing”.

For T:BUC see Belfast Melt.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
X14697 X14698 X14695 X14696

Ulster & Israel

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Ulster & Israel – brothers in arms”. The Uzi was developed in Israel in the late 1940s and became a general-issue weapon in 1956 (WP). It was used (and copied) by loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland (Balaclava Street has a comprehensive history of loyalist weaponry) and appeared in a both UDA and UVF murals and graffiti: The Elite | Ulster Says No! To The Politicians | Sandy Row 2nd Batt | UFF Uzi.

Here is an article from TheJ.ca interviewing PUL politicians on their support for Israel and an Irish News article revisiting the issue in light of the current conflict. And loyalists have previously (since 2002? Irish Times | OU) flown the flag of Israel — see Gregg & Carson (2011) | View From The North Bank (2012) | The Young Conquerors (2013) | The United Nations (2014) | The Glorious Memory (2014) | Ulster Supports The People Of Israel (2018) | EU Hands Off Ulster (2021). But this is the first time that a symbol of violence has been used as the symbol of solidarity. (In republican muraling, see PLO-IRA (1982) | Women In Armed Struggle (1983).)

Tate’s Avenue, in the Village area of south #Belfast.

The placard in the middle, between Brothers In Arms and “Sir E. Carson K.C., M.P.” was discussed in Stand Firm. The Winning Hand was seen previously in The Red Hand And The Winning Hand.

See also: Godfather Of The Israeli Army.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14476 X14477 X14478 X14479 X14475
Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X15251

Israel Get Out Of Palestine

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

These images were taken in the lower and middle Falls, west Belfast. As might be expected, there is some reaction to the current conflict between Hamas and Israel: “Victory to the resistance – Free Palestine!” and “#NotMyKing” are at the closed-up Mac Diarmada club at Sráid Phort Láirge (see previously: CIRA GHQ); “Israel get out of Ireland” is on a crossing button in Beechmount.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X14441 [X14442] X14444 X14445 [X14446]