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Lessons In Revolt

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2014-11-23 WaterCharges+

The Socialist Party flyer above on Royal Avenue urges Belfast residents to pay attention to the on-going protests against water charges in the Republic as a way of learning how to resist any cuts implemented by Stormont. Yesterday marked one in a shifting series of deadlines for registration for the water scheme and rallies were held in various southern cities (Independent). Water charges have been ruled out in the North until at least 2015 (Tele).

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02397 joe higgins td anti-water activist jackie pollock unite the union patrick mulholland nipsa president personal capacity holiday inn ormeau avenue thurs 27 nov public meeting

Safezone

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2014-11-21 Ballymac+

On one side are children rock-climbing and canoeing, on the other are the masks of tragedy and comedy and a skeletal Death, shrouded in vapours from an earth split open and cloaking a multitude of souls ensnared with needle, pipe, and pills. The south wall of the Ballymac Youth Centre in Pitt Park promises a safezone from the “devastation of suicide” or becoming “addicted to death”. Harland & Wolff’s Goliath stands in the background.

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02385 FASAForum for Action on Substance Abuse ballymacarrett drugs yout choice opportunity

The Poor Ground

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2014-11-12 PoorGravesPlaque+

Milltown Cemetery contains what appear to be three large, unused, spaces (see the second and third images, below). They are in fact the Poor Grounds, mass graves of those unable to afford an individual grave. The plaque shown above puts their number at 65,000; WP puts it at 80,000. (The total number buried is about 200,000.) They include victims of typhus in the 1870s, and of the great influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. There is more information at CultureNI and Milltown Cemetery.Tom Hartley’s book on Milltown was released by Blackstaff Press last year (2014).

“Public Sections 24, 27 & 33, opened November 1869, closed January 1937, hold the remains of 65,000 men, women and children. Rannóga pobıl 24, 27 & 33 fosclaíodh é Samhaın 1869, druıdeadh é Eanáır 1937. Istıgh tá 65,000 corp d’fhır, mhná agus de pháıstí. Requiescant in pace.”

2014-11-12 PoorGravesWide+

2014-11-12 PoorGravesLand+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle

Where’s The Joy?

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2014-11-10 WheresTheJoy+

Here are two boards from outside the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill Road. “The baby survived, his mummy and daddy didn’t. Joyriding: Where’s the joy?”. (A similar board is at the junction of Whiterock and Springfield Roads and another in Duncairn Avenue). The board below features youth activities such as painting, martial arts, and DJing.

Previously: Death Driving

2014-11-10 Spectrum1+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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WheresTheJoy

Art In The Eastside

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2014-11-05 ErvineWide+

At the same time that the new David Ervine board was put in place, the existing board next to it, which dates to 2008, was spruced up. The image above is a wide shot of both boards, while the image below shows the commemorative casting in front. For the original board, see David Ervine; for explanations of the sculpture, including its pipe, prayer-book, ticket, and boots, see Memory Chair.

2014-11-05 ErvineChair+

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Stop Tory Cuts

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2014-09-28 StopToryCuts+

The (UK) Conservative Party has proposed a series of cuts, including a freeze of child benefit, income support, tax credits, dole, and housing benefit. These are opposed by various parties and advocacy groups in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The mural above is on the Divis Street international wall, while Black Mountain/Slıabh Dubh currently carries the same message: #stoptorycuts. Protest rallies were held today (2014-10-11) in both Belfast and Dublin.

Replaces (part of) The Big Plan

2014-10-10 StopToryCutsMtn+

2014-10-10 StopToryCutsFalls+

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02255 X02276 X02275 stand up fight back stad na cıorruıthe join sınn feın

Belfast, You’re Melting My Head

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2014-09-22 YorkLocals+

Pastor James McConnell, who denounced Muslims as “satanists” back in May at the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle, is finally seeking help, attending “Despots Anonymous” in the company of a Muslim, a Jew, and a Sikh. The group meets next door to 1690, home to a football-loving boy from a family of immigrants who are under attack because the housing is for “locals only” – see the final image for just such a graffito in Pine Way. The bottle of Buckfast preaches “Love thy neighbour as thyself”.

This is another part of Ciaran Gallagher’s (web) “Belfast Stripped Bare” piece in the Duke of York/Dark Horse courtyard. The wide shot, below, shows Carl “The Jackal” Frampton in an upstairs window. There’s also, above the piece, an accompanying poem by Alice McCullough, “Belfast You’re Melting My Head”, which you can watch her recite in front of the piece.

Previously: Belfast Stripped Bare | Teenage Dreams

2014-09-22 YorkLocalsFull+

2014-08-09 LocalsOnlyPine+

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The Good Road

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2014-08-17 Travellers+

Above is a new mural on the Divis Street “International Wall” (Visual History) in support of travellers’ right, featuring horseshoes, musical notation, and a child looking out of a vintage caravan. Sponsored by West Against Racism Network (WARN – web | Fb) and Springfield Charitable Association (web).

The image that the artists were working from for central portion of the mural – a 2009 photograph by Mark Stedman – can be seen still taped to the wall.

Replaces the “Say No To Racism” mural from June.

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Copyright © 2014 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02086 An Munıa Tobaır [Tober] Women’s Choir