V For Victory

August 15th, 1945, saw the end of the second World War in the Pacific theatre, effectively ending the war as a whole. The 75th anniversary of the event was celebrated on the Shankill by and Up! Culture + Arts. Belfast Councillor (and 2020 High Sheriff) Nicola Verner has video (tw) of the tarp on the float that paraded along the Shankill on the day itself. With sponsorship from the Executive and the Greater Shankill Partnership (tw).

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Praying For A Miracle

Saint Luke’s C of I opened in 1863 in what was then the lower Falls but – because of the “peace” line is now the lower Shankill. It closed in 2006 and the congregation merged with St Stephen’s (in Millfield). The building served as a community centre. In 2015 two pigs’ heads with racist graffiti were left in the doorway in response to rumours that the building might become a mosque (BBC). The property was (later) acquired by Living Faith Global – “a miracle believing and seeing church” – which opened in April 2019.

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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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Ulster Says Noël

People are turning to Christmas earlier than ever this year as an escape from the ongoing coronavirus restrictions. Work by local artists is being sold at Vault Artists (web) ‘Vault Pop‘ (in the Portview Centre on the Newtownards Road) with work by many artists whose street-art is featured in these pages, including Leo Boyd, FGB, and Esther O’Kelly, and at Born & Bred (web) on Ann Street, including ‘Ulster Says Noel’ cards by James Ashe (web) – who did the ‘Ulster Says Yeoo’ tarp shown above, next to the Ulster Social Club (now just a regular bar) – and mini H&W cranes as a tree ornament (see David & Goliath).

(Extramural Activity is not associated with either shop or any of the artists named.)

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Uniting Our Community

“Uniting our community to support our community. Thank you NHS & essential workers”. The ‘Lower North Belfast Action Group’ was formed in April this year in response to the pandemic. Based on the “Groups/Areas” involved, ‘lower’ means the area along the lough up as far the White City and Loughview.

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Carrick Hill Supports Fiona

It is 15 weeks since Noah Donohoe left home heading for Cave Hill only to end up dead in a north Belfast storm drain. Support for his mother Fiona and the #RememberMyNoah campaign has been widespread, including this tarp in Carrick Hill.

See previously: #RememberMyNoah | A Hunger For Knowledge | Into The Wide Blue Yonder | A Heart In A Heart | Justice For Noah

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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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The Wide Blue Yonder

Blue is the colour of the “#Remember My Noah” campaign to get answers in the disappearance of teen Noah Donohoe ten weeks ago. Gael Force Art (Fb) took to Sliabh Dubh and put a message on the mountain, with help from some of the Donohoe relatives from Strabane (video).

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus

“Pro tanto quid retribuamus” [What shall we give in return for so much] is the motto of Belfast, included in the coat of arms shown above and newly appropriate in the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family. Together fighting Covid-19.” The banner is on the Clifton Street hall; King William III bestrides his horse and the horse bestrides the building.

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Justice For Ian Ogle

Ian Ogle (“Big O”) was standing at this spot (Cluan Place and Albertbridge Road) on the night of January 27th, 2019, when he was assaulted and stabbed by a gang of men. Three UVF members have been charged with his death though the UVF say the killing was not sanctioned (Sunday Life). The family continue to campaign for a safer east Belfast (BelTel).

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Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
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