Banned

2013-02-12 SRowPostboxFlyerCrop+

A letterbox on Sandy Row bearing a flyer describing rallies protesting the decision not to fly the Union flag every day at Belfast City Hall, which will (apparently) lead to a future where Martin McGuinness, Gerry Adams and a masked paramilitary rule like Queen Victoria (who, as we know, was also Queen of Ireland, Empress of India). For some background info, see And so This is Christmas; and for graffiti on the matter, Let Your Union Flag Fly.

 A previous letterbox: Letters Only.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00945 Do you want this as your future support our protest in sandy row at boyne bridge every friday night 6pm – 7pm don’t be the generation to fail ulster a shared future for who? then every saturday at kfc, the square meet 12.30 pm for a protest at the city hall from 1pm to 2pm no surrender

The Relief Of Londonderry

2013-02-09 ReliefOfDerry+

“Derry” became “Londonderry” in 1613, but in 1689 at the time of the siege, as now, it was commonly referred to as “Derry”. The slogan of the defenders was “No Surrender” and the successful resistance to penetration gave rise to the epithet “The Maiden City” (WP).

Pictures of the unveiling of the plaque in 2009, which commemorates William Love, can be seen here.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00941 William Love 1908-1966 composer of flute band music was born near this spot; william attended cathedral school and worshipped in St. columb’s cathedral he played with the maiden city flute band churchill flute band and the hamilton flute band among his many compositions are senior service, stop in style, hale and hearty, cross and crown, and moore st. erected as a project of the maiden city festival aug. 2000

True Blue

2013-02-07 RWBKerb+

A pedestrian’s gutties (sneakers) and jacket match the red, white and blue of the kerbstones on The Fountain, a street at the heart of the Fountain, a Protestant enclave on the west side of the Foyle in Londonderry

Kerb painting has largely ceased in Belfast (there might have been some kind of unofficial agreement circa the Good Friday agreement (WP) to phase it out through non-renewal of existing painted kerbs – please dis/confirm in the comments if you can) but the ancient practice is still alive and well in The Fountain.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00935

Our Flag Was Still There

2013-02-05 HightownRdFlag+

A tattered Union Flag on the Hightown Road/Bóthar Bhaile na hAirde in Glengormley/Gleann Gormliath (just north of Belfast). The title comes from the U.S. anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”: “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” (WP).

Previously on Extramural Activity: Shankill Rd flag and barbed wire.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00931