This is a “People Before Profit” (web) poster (at the Waterworks) in support of a ‘Northern Ireland Trade Union Freedom’ bill being brought forward by MLA Gerry Carrol (Irish Legal). The bill has its own Facebook page.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07747 jim larkin
The previous UVF mural in Carrington Street (Volunteering | On Your Side) was paint-bombed in October (Keep It Local) but has been quickly replaced by this computer-generated board showing the Harland & Wolff cranes, a Long Kesh watch-tower, and a hooded gunman from the UVF’s East Belfast Battalion.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07746 [X07743] X07744 X07745
The Portrush Flyer is a steam-engine train service operating (since 1973) between Belfast and Portrush on Sundays during the summer months. The mural, in Ards Park, Monkstown, replaces a UFF mural dating back to 2001. Shown is engine ‘No. 85’ (which is just one of the engines that have been used; for images of ‘No. 171’, ‘No. 4’, ‘No. 85’, and ‘No. 131’ dating back to the 1970s, see SteamTrainsIreland) passing under one of the “new” viaducts (for more info, see Geograph). For an image of the mural’s 2019 launch, see Newtownabbey Times.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07739 X07740 Dee Craig Housing Excutive
The “Ulster’s Finest” mural in Monkstown was remarkable for its depiction of two female volunteers, carrying Uzis, the only depiction of female loyalist volunteers (see Rolston ‘Women on the walls’ in Crime Media Culture 14.3, 2018, p. 373). It was plastered over, perhaps because the gable is next to Hollybank primary. Some of the pebbledash wore away in January/February to reveal the mural – still in good condition – beneath (Vintage_UVF). For the original mural, see T00230.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07742 X07741
For the centenary of the end of WWI (in November 2018) a small board was added to the UFF’s South East Antrim Brigade mural in Rathfern.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07738 Knockenagh Ave
On March 24th, the Mater Infirmorum hospital closed its doors to all but Covid patients, partly enabled by a dramatic fall in emergency cases once the coronavirus struck (Irish News). In October, ICU care was moved from the Mater to the City; non-ICU Covid cases are still being treated in the Mater (Belfast Trust). The ICU beds in the City and in Altnagelvin were full last week (BelTel), as cases resurge. The carved statue in the Mater is the creation of Belfast City Sawmill (Fb) in Ballinderry (BelfastLive has in-progress shots).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07736
A six-week lockdown began at midnight last night with restrictions including an overnight curfew and an end to all “close contact” services (Belfast Live). Shown today are two of larger posters in Sinn Féin’s ‘wear a mask’ campaign, featuring Paul Maskey and Fra McCann, MP and MLA for Belfast West.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07732 X07733
Emigration of Irish nations outstripped their returning counterparts for most of the 2010 but stabilised in 2018 (Irish Times). (Migration data for NI nationals could not be found.) This Connolly Youth Movement (cym.ie | ig) sticker on Northumberland Street street sign encourages young people to stay and work for change at home.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07730
“Grá mór” [lots of love] on an electrical box in Ardmoulin Street. Artist unknown.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07731
“Belfast thanks our NHS”. Northern Ireland entered a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown at midnight last night in response to recent increases in coronavirus hospitalisations that have taxed the health system (see previously Mother Of The Sick). These marionettes in NHS uniforms are on their bike heading for home, or for work, via the Duke Of York. “Come in soberly, drink moderately, depart quietly, and call again.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07727
Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 