Freedom Corner

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03359 2016-04-02 Freedom Corner 2016 r+

The long wall on Newtownards Road, “Freedom Corner”, has been repainted over the past nine months — apparently the protective coating that had been applied to the murals in fact caused the paint to peel; alternatively, police water cannon caused the peeling (Tele) — and the murals were launched with a parade on Easter Saturday (March 26th, 2016). Above is shown the Young Newton UYM mural at the extreme right-hand side of the wall.

From left to right: For Freedom Alone | As Long As 100 Of Us Remain Alive | Loyalist East Belfast | The Strangest Victory In All History | Ulster’s Past Defenders | Nationality is included in Loyalist East Belfast | Ulster’s Present Defenders | Freedom Corner

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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03359 [X04878] terrae filius ulster young militants est. 1974

National Liberation And Socialism

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03352 2016-04-01 IRSP INLA 1916-2016+

A 1916 centenary mural on Divis Street with the red star of socialism and the Easter lily of Irish nationalism: “Republican Socialist movement — IRSP INLA — remembers and salutes all those who gave their lives and liberty in the struggle for national liberation and socialism in Ireland.”

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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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If You Remove The English Army Tomorrow

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03353 2016-04-01 England Will Still Rule You+

A line from James Connolly’s 1897 piece “Socialism And Nationalism” is adapted by the IRSP for the current post-partition situation: “England will still rule you, she would rule you through her bankers, landlords and Stormont”.

Connolly’s original thought is that – even in a self-governing republic – nationalism is not enough to establish an authentically Irish state: “If you remove the English army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain. England would still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers, through the whole array of commercial and individualist institutions she has planted in this country and watered with the tears of our mothers and the blood of our martyrs.”

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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03353 glen rd irish republican socialist party

The Evolution Of Our Revolution

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03350 2016-03-31 Evolution Of Revolution+

A history of nationalism/republicanism from left to right: a pair of Easter lilies, four generations of rifles, and then a switch to a ballot paper with a check in favour of “unity” and a road named “Unity Way”: “From bullet to ballot: the evolution of our revolution. 1916 – 2016”

This mural is on the north side of Hugo Street – the south side remains exclusively éırígí.

X06994 2020-02-14 Evol Revol d+

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Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Business As Usual

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03351 Easter Rising Centenary Parade Shirt crop+

While taking part in the Easter Rising centenary parade, members of the James Connolly 1st Republican Flute Band from Glasgow (tw) pause on the Falls Road during a squall. Embroidered on the rear of their shirts are the words “We serve neither king nor kaiser, but Ireland”, the slogan which hung outside the ITGWU’s Liberty Hall during the first world war. Image courtesy of Bronagh Bowerman.

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Copyright © 2016 Bronagh Bowerman
03351 tricolour plough stars

McAuley’s

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03348 2016-03-18 McAuley's Diner+

The shutters are down on the Mill Diner on the upper Crumlin Road. Proprietor Tommy McAuley was shot by the UVF in 1987 in retaliation for the Enniskillen bombing. His case was examined by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) who reported (in 2011) that the police did not question suspects identified by witnesses and the family lobbied the ombudsman to reopen the case (U.tv). In 2014 they did not have any success (North Belfast News) but the case was reopened in 2015 (BMG).

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Copyright © 2016 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Going Aloft

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03349 2016-03-18 Emic Loft+

Artist emic (Eoin McGinn) left this parting piece on the shutters of LOFT (Belfast Art Studio & Collective web | Fb) which had to leave its 99 North St address in January due to the impending development of the area. Below is the Sonic The Hedgehog piece it replaces (which itself is on top of the re:Store couch.

03209 2015-12-04 Sonic+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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