political

We Won’t Have Home Rule

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Dublin barrister Sir Edward Carson was the figurehead of Unionism at the time of the Home Rule crisis, overseeing the formation of the Ulster Volunteers and the Covenant in response to the third bill. Carson’s aim was to keep all of Ireland within the UK but advised unionists to accept the six-county Northern Ireland stipulated by the 1920 Bill.

For the side wall out of shot to the left, see M04206.

Broadway, Village, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Fır Na Pluıde

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The “blanket” (Gaeilge: pluıd) protest (not wearing prison uniforms) was a response to the removal of political (Special Category) status in 1976 (WP). The “no wash” or “dirty” protest (not using toilet facilities) followed in 1978 (WP). Both forms of protest are illustrated in the board shown above: three unshaven men wear blankets and go barefoot in a cell with excrement smeared on the walls.

An information plaque was added below, on the Phoenix mural (not shown – see M04941).

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Stand Off! Trade Off!

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This “stand-off – trade-off” mural reappears in Artana Street, Belfast, previously recorded in Stand Firm. The mural dates to 1998, when an Orange Order march was allowed to parade along Ormeau Road. Parades Commission chairman Alistair Graham (pictured in the mural beneath the evil-eyed OO member) “insisted that the Ormeau Road decision “was not a simple trade-off for our earlier decision on Drumcree”” (Irish Times).

Painted by Troy Garity, recreating an Ian Knox cartoon (Belfast Media).

Artana Street, lower Ormeau, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Staılc Ocraıs

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Twelve hunger strikers prior to the 1981 strike are included in this Shaws Road board: on the left: Thomas Ashe, Mountjoy 1917; Michael Fitzgerald, Cork 1920; Terence McSwiney, Brixton 1920; Joseph Murphy, Cork 1920; Joseph Witty, Curragh 1923; Denis Barry, Newbridge 1923; Andrew Sullivan, Newbridge 1923; Tony D’Arcy, Arbour Hill 1940; Jack McNeela, Arbour Hill 1940; Seán McCaughey, Portlaoise 1946; Michael Gaughan, Parkhurst 1974; plus on the right: Frank Stagg, Wakefield 1976.

For the mural in better condition, see M04541.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Stop At Nothing

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“Our rulers will stop at nothing to attain their ends. They will continue to rule and rob until confronted by men who will stop at nothing to overthrow them.” The quote is from James Connolly on Conscription in 1915. Local volunteer Joe McDonnell is portrayed between the names of the ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers. Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Let There Be No Bitterness

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Michael Gaughan’s final message included the line “Let there be no bitterness on my behalf, but a determination to achieve the new Ireland for which I gladly die” which is loosely quoted in this hunger strikers Ardilea Close (in the Bone) mural. He is buried with Frank Stagg in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina (WP). The mural has been added behind the plaque to the hunger strikers in the middle-right: “Erected by the Olpark 1981 Committee. In proud and loving memories fo ten young Republicans who gave their lives during the 1981 hunger-strike in the H.Blocks of Long Kesh. No greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends.”

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Forget The Past

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“HET” was the “Historical Enquiries Team”, investigating unsolved killings from the Troubles. It lasted from 2005 to 2014 (WP). The graffiti in these images from Mount Vernon and the Shore Road, are perhaps specifically in connection with the investigation into the UVF unit in the area (BelTel) and the murder of Jim Harbinson (BelTel). “Forget the past – peace was delivered”, “HET go home”, “Gerry Adams ya peado [sic] – root da kids”.

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Belfast Banksy

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Banksy’s “Slave Labour” was sold on Sunday night for about three-quarter of a million pounds sterling, to an as-yet anonymous buyer. It was sold by the owners of the Poundland store on whose exterior wall it was originally stencilled. This BBC video shows the piece, both removed and in situ. In other Banksy news this weekend, his giant rat piece in Liverpool is to be removed and preserved.

The image above is a 2009 piece on Northumberland Street (Visual History page) imitating one of Banksy’s pieces in the West Bank. In the Bethlehem piece, the hole in the wall reveals a tropical paradise; here, it reveals the hills around Belfast. There is a shot of the artists painting the piece at the beginning of the documentary about them, “Paint For Peace“. This piece as later replaced by the Latuff “solidarity” mural.

See also: Bundoran Banksy | Sweep It Under The Carpet

2008 Channel 4 video about Banksy in the West Bank.

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Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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