The People’s Parade (i.e. the parade supported by anti-Agreement groups) takes place April 24th, the date of the Rising in 1916; the other (Sınn Féın) parade was held on Easter Sunday, which this year was March 27th. The second board is above the RSF office/shop in the middle Falls; the upper image is on the International Wall, Divis Street, during the long time that it was being painted (and vandalised) for the centenary – it would eventually be launched on the anniversary of Casement’s execution, on August 3rd.
The PD/Cumann Sóısıalta Bhaıle Andarsan/Andersonstown Social Club was one of the early stops for the travelling version of the ‘Revolution 1916’ exhibition that was hosted by the Ambassador theatre – see Revolution 1916.
The mural immediately above was painted to accompany the exhibition, reproducing the left-hand grouping from Walter Paget’s Birth Of The Irish Republic and putting the proclamation in the background. For Paget’s original oil painting and other versions of it, see the painting’s Visual History page.
The new plaque (added to the memorial garden) reads, “1916 – 2026. We serve neither king nor kaiser, but Ireland. This plaque was erected to the memory of the men and women who give their lives in the fight for Irish freedom. “Apostles of freedom are ever idolised when dead but crucified when alive.” – James Connolly.” [from 1898’s The Men We Honour]
Also featured are Roger Casement and Winifred Carney, and a long-standing plaque to Danny Burke and Jack McCartan, former managers of the club who were “murdered by the British Army on these premises” (An Phoblacht).
Three bandsmen – the first two of which, at least, are members of the UVF Regimental Flute Band, one in a vintage and another in a modern uniform – parade together in a new mural in Pitt Park. The UVF Regimental will be going to France for the centenary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme.
Shepard Fairey used Mannie Garcia’s AP photo of Barack Obama for his ‘Hope’ poster of the 2008 US Presidential election (WP). The three-quarter profile, faraway look and four-tone shading have been repurposed for the board, shown above, in east Belfast: a boy gazes beyond Samson and Goliath, the Harland & Wolff cranes, backgrounded by a sunburst: “Dream, Seek, Educate, Achieve!”
Painted by Dee Craig in Susan Street, east Belfast
The saying “You’re never too old to set another goal or dream another dream” is attributed to east-Belfast-bred C.S. Lewis — shown here on the right — though we are unable to find any record of him saying or writing these words; instead it might be be a motivational speaker called Les Brown. In the rest of the piece, young people play in the grounds of Queen’s University and Belfast City Hall.
“We salute the memory of all those who have given their lives for the cause of Irish freedom.” Both pro-Agreement (Sinn Féin) and anti-Agreement (IRPWA/Saoradh/New IRA) groups are marking the centenary of the Easter Rising. Also included is a commemoration of the (1981) Hunger Strike and support expressed for Gaza: “#FreeGaza #BoycottIsreal [sic]”
Lineside, Barrack Street, and Mourne Road, Coalisland
“Proficient – 4th (Dungannon) Battalion” refers to the Ulster Volunteers, while “9th (Tyrone) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers” refers to the 109th brigade of the British Army of WWI.
On either side of the shops on Main Street, Moygashel
Here is a new mural of the “Rathcoole Elite” unit (1st Batt., B. Coy) of the Red Hand Commando, complete with four masked men each bearing weapons. Founded in 1970, “To this day our principles remain the same: to protect the loyalist community, to retain our Britishness. It is not for glory or riches we fight but for our people. Lamh Dearg Abu.”
The small plaque reads, “This mural is dedicated to the memory of Volunteer Norman Williamson, born 7-7-1955, died 2-7-1991. Gone but not forgotten.”
