political

Éıre Nua

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2013-04-30 RoryOBradaighAntrimRd+

This is a recent poster (this one on the Antrim Road near Carlisle Circus) featuring the “Éıre Nua” plan of the 70s and 80s (which remains policy of Republican Sınn Féın, which split from Sınn Féın in 1986) and one of its authors, Ruaırí Ó Bradaıgh (WP). The plan calls for four parliaments, one in each of the four provinces, with a capital in Athlone. A documentary, Unfinished Business, featuring Ó Bradaıgh, can be seen here.

Update: Ó Bradaıgh died on June 5th, 2013 (Irish Times)

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Rolling Out The Red, White & Blue Carpet

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2013-04-28 HolyCrossKerb+

Holy Cross Primary – an all-girls Catholic school – sits in the loyalist Glenbryn neighbourhood, above Alliance Avenue in Ardoyne. The freshly-painted kerb-stones leave no doubt as to the precarious situation of the school, which is well-known as the site of a dispute in 2001 when loyalists attempted to block access to the school (WP).

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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All Our Dead

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2013-04-23 ArdAnLao1+

In addition to three plaques, a wrought-iron head-piece, multiple flag-pole holders and railings fencing in a small area (which includes an encased figure of Jesus, at right), this mural in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close in Ardoyne uses painted discs for each of the twelve hunger strikers (the ten in Long Kesh 1981 and two from the 70s in English prisons, Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg – the twelve also featured in Derry’s Spirit Of Freedom mural), rather than painting their likenesses directly onto the wall. The items above the mural and the Sacred Heart statue in a glass case are new, compared to 2010.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01065 [X00354] In Loving Memory Of All Our Dead erin go bragh this plaque is dedicated to those people who showed courage in face of adversity by giving aid shelter and support in the defence of the area their dedication and determination during those difficult years will never be forgotten they shall always be held in the highest esteem by a grateful community Let our revenge be the laughter of our children. Let there be no bitterness on my behalf to achieve a united Ireland. With many thanks to the people of the bone greater bone who contributed to this mural

Living Like Animals

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2013-04-22 LiveLikeAnimal+

A third piece of Thatcher-related graffiti (one | two), this time in the loyalist Tiger’s Bay area: “If Mr. Sands wants to act like an animal, he can live like one.” Although it is attributed to Mrs. Thatcher here, there does not appear to be any reputable source for the quote. Thatcher’s funeral is tomorrow, Wednesday 17th.

Note the freshly painted kerb stones. Eithne House, one of the New Lodge tower blocks, can be seen in the background of the picture, with a board to hunger-striker Patsy O’Hara on the left-hand side.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ding Dong The Witch Is Gone

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2013-04-21 DingDong2+

Black-and-white and colour versions (see below) of graffiti on Divis Street celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher. The power of the state lives on, however, in the surveillance camera atop the pole. (Previously: Rot In Hell | Living Like Animals | Thatcher The Real Criminal | Thatcherism | Rust In Peace.)

“Ding-dong! The witch is dead” (from The Wizard Of Oz) (youtube) went to #2 in the singles charts in the aftermath of Thatcher’s death.

2013-04-21 DingDongColour+

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Thatcher The Real Criminal

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2013-04-18 ThatcherCriminal+

“Thatcher The Real Criminal” on Black Mountain, overlooking the Springfield Road, with a Mo Chara Kelly mural in the foreground, commemorating the deaths of five people shot by British army snipers in 1972.

This picture was taken on April 18th; on April 19th the lettering on the hillside had been removed.

Recent posts related to the death of Margaret Thatcher: Rot In Hell | Rust In Peace | Living Like Animals.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01054 springhill westrock massacre, paddy  butler 39, david mccafferty 15, margaret gargan 13, john dougal 16, fr. noel fitzpatrick 40, belfast’s bloody sunday on the 9th july 1972 the british army murdered 5 irish citizens and severely wounded 2 others; it’s time for the truth

Rust In Peace

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2013-04-09 RustInPeace+

Here is another piece of graffiti in response to the death of Margaret Thatcher, outside the Royal Victoria hospital on the Falls Road: “Iron Lady? Rust In Peace”, with “Upara” – Up The (I)RA. Thatcher was given the sobriquet by the Soviet army newspaper Red Star in 1976, apparently in imitation of the “Iron Chancellor”, Otto von Bismarck (WP).

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Those Who Can Endure The Most

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A tarp has been added to the Ardoyne memorial garden (seen previously in 2008) putting the 12 deceased hunger strikers from the modern Troubles alongside those who were executed for their part in the Easter Rising.

Berwick Road, Ardoyne, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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