In 2009, the Veterans’ Day holiday (begun in 2006) became Armed Forces Day. The event (and the raising of an MoD flag over Belfast City Hall – An Phoblacht) was opposed by éırígí and Sınn Féın. These posters are on the Falls Road.
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Copyright © 2009 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“I ndıl gcuımhne oglach [sic] Sean McCaughey, Gaelgoır [sic] agus muınteıor [sic] [Irish-speaker and teacher]. Fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann.” “Formerly of Duneden Park, Ardoyne. Died on hunger and thirst strike after 23 days in Portlaoise gaol on May 11th 1946.” “For those who believe no explanation is necessary; for those who don’t believe no explanation is possible.”
McCaughey was convicted of kidnapping and torturing IRA chief of staff Sean Hayes, who was suspected of treason. His hunger and thirst strike was preceded by five years on the blanket.
“NBCS” = North Belfast Cultural Society.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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2006 was the 25th anniversary of the second hunger strike, in 1981. This Ardoyne commemorative piece combines a painted border of Celtic knotwork with boards depicting scenes from 1981: a funeral volley, Derry women in blankets, women banging binlids, a masked protester throwing a Molotov cocktail at an armoured jeep, marchers outside a polling station.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Londoner Stephen Lawrence was murdered by stabbing in 1993 and, although arrests were made, no charges were brought. A 1998 public inquiry found that the Metropolitan Police Service was “institutionally racist”. In 2012, two of the original suspects were found guilty of the murder (WP). Catholic Robert Hamill was beaten to death by loyalists in Portadown in 1997 while police in an RUC land-rover looked on (WP).
Brompton Park, Ardoyne, north Belfast. The same board (in slightly different colours) appeared in Artana Street, south Belfast.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The mythological hero Cuchulainn, defender of Ulster against the forces of Queen Medb of Connacht, is placed below the flag of Northern Ireland. “Here we stand, here we remain. We simply want to take our God ordained place as indigenous Ulster people, understanding and living out our calling. We assume our identity without shame, retaliation or indignation against those who have caused harm to our past and tried to castrate our culture, our identity and our place on this island.”
Cú Chulaınn has his own Visual History page. This is the most active depiction of the hero; he is usually depicted in his death throes.
Shankill Parade, lower Shankill, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Miriam Daly was chairwoman of the IRSP (Irish Republican Socialist Party) and shot dead in 1980 by the UDA/UFF in 1980. Originally painted in 1996 by Ciaran McKeirnan, Brian O’Loan, and son Donal Daly. Previously seen in 2001 | 2002 | 2003.
Oakman Street, Beechmount, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan are included alongside the deceased 1981 hunger strikers in a gallery of portraits that has been updated annually since (at least) 2006. The large panel shows blanket-men Hugh Rooney and Freddie Toal, and Bobby Sands, the first to die in 1981.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Union flag and red, white, and blue bollards in Ritchie Street, north Belfast.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ulster typically says “no” (going back to 1985, at least) but this Ballysillan Road graffitist is not so sure.
Ballysillan Road, north Belfast
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Copyright © 2006 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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This is the scene on the Shore Road (north Belfast) at Gray’s Lane. From left to right, “[Tony] Blair/Haine [Peter Hain, NI Secretary] – 2 S/F Toadies”; “And so the sham goes on”; “Johnny Adair – South East Antrim UFF – No Surrender”; and below, the remains of the Tudor Lodge (still present in 2017).
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Copyright © 2005 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 