Author: Extramural Activity

Lower Shankill Angels

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As can be seen from the images of the information boards that accompany them, these pieces are part of a second wave of re-imaging (Visual History 10) in the lower Shankill estate. Compared to the pieces they replace, these are even more neutral in theme, replacing cultural themes with community (and also all printed rather than painted).

Most of these are in the centre of the estate, alongside various UDA murals. There has also been a small wave of UDA stencilling and signage on the periphery of the estate – see Loyalist Lower Shankill.

I Am Not Resilent replaces the Andrew Jackson Ulster-Scots mural in Boundary Way.

Women’s Voices is on the wall formerly home to Play from 2009 (and not, as the info board suggests, either the Can It Change? or the Shankill Eddie).

Lower Shankill Angels replaces the long-standing LPOW mural.

Never Doubt is on a previously unused wall, at the top of the estate, on Hopewell Avenue.

Nothing About Us is a piece from the first wave of re-imaging that was moved to Malvern Way due to the new construction taking place on the estate.

For background on the individual pieces, see the individual entries in the Seosamh Mac Coılle collection: I Am Not Resilient | Women’s Voices | Lower Shankill Angels | Never Doubt | Nothing About Us.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12191 [M12192] M12193 [M12194]
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Loyalist Lower Shankill

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Welcome to the loyalist lower Shankill, and specifically the UDA (2nd battalion, C company) lower Shankill.

However, these are somewhat peripheral locations, in California Close, Boundary Way, and Hopewell Crescent. The centre of the estate has been re-imaged a second time – see Lower Shankill Angels.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12186 [M12187] M12188 M12182 [M12183] [M12184] [M12185]
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The Battle Of Britain

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“Love demands sacrifice”. “‘From this day to the ending of the world … we in it shall be remembered, we few, we happy few, we band of brothers’ for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother’ – Henry V, William Shakespeare”

2015 marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, which was waged from July to October in 1940. This large board is part of an anti-racism project, celebrating the contributions to the Battle made by roughly 145 Polish aviators (WP) and especially the 303 squadron, which was stationed in Northern Ireland for a time (BBC-NI). “The Polish nation – part of us then, part of us now”.

The artist is Ross Wilson. Belfast Live has a report on the launch.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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How Nobly They Fight And Die

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Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) division in the trenches of WWI prepare to go ‘over the top’. One waits for the precise moment according to his watch, ready to fire a shot, while the other prepares to blow a whistle and launch a flare. “Throughout the long years of struggle, the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die.” King George V on November 16, 1918. The quote also appears on the Ulster Tower in Clandeboye.

Queen’s Parade, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12141 [M12140] [M12139] [M12142] [M12143]

The Great War

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The memorial garden in Mount Vernon, which previously had and Ulster Volunteers mural and UVF stone, has undergone a major redevelopment this year (2015) with a new “cut-out” mural to the 36th (Ulster) Division and stand-alone memorial plaques to six UVF (3rd Belfast Battalion) members who were listed the plaque on the outside wall of the garden. “Murdered in the service of Ulster: Joe Shaw 18-5-1974, Samuel Frame 13-3-1976, Jackie Irvine 16-3-1989. Colin Caldwell 28-11-1991, Bertie Rice 31-10-2000, Mark Quail 1-11-2000.”

“We salute also all volunteers at home and on the mainland who served with dignity and pride.”

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12161 [M12162] [M12163] [M12164] [M12165] [M12166]
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M12159 M12160 [M12175]

Covenants Without Swords Are Only Words

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“Covenants without swords are only words” is a slight emendation of a line from Chapter 17 of Thomas Hobbes’s The Leviathan: “And covenants, without the sword, are but words and of no strength to secure a man at all.” 

It is applied here to the 1912 Ulster Covenant being backed up by the 1914 gun-running. Edward Carson is shown acknowledging the cheers of the Ulster Volunteers, who have been drilling at Glencairn (as seen in this Shankill mural).

Above the Unionist souvenir shop on the Newtownards Road, east Belfast. Seen previously in 2012: Where Ulstermen Shop.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12158

Smash Fortress Europe

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“Smash fortress Europe – no one is illegal.” Two-year-old Alan (or Aylan) Kurdi and his brother Galib both died during an attempted crossing from Turkey to the Greek island of Kos. Alan’s body was pulled from the water and placed on the shore, where it was photographed lying face-down. The image stunned and shocked people around the world.

“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones, who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fast[en]ed round your neck and you were drowned in the Depths of the Sea. RIP Aylan”

The flag of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine flies above Free Derry Corner (Visual History). For the board at the back of the wall, see End British Internment.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney (dated August 30th, but Kurdi did not die until September 2nd)
M12831 [M12832] M12833
M12829 [M12830]

Queer Icons

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Free Derry Corner (Visual History) is transformed for Foyle Gay Pride 2015, (August 22nd-30th (programme at issuu)) with paste-ups of four “queer icons”. The four are (l-r) Stormé DeLarverie (WP), Mark Ashton (WP), Sylvia Rivera (WP), and Marsha P Johnson (WP). Ashton grew up in Portadown before moving to London; the other three are from the USA.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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