This two-part mural shows (left) Orange Order flag-bearers and (right) a scene from the Siege of Derry, perhaps of James II demanding the city and being rebuffed with cries of “No surrender”.
“This Poppy Cross is in memory of the two men and two babies murdered at this spot by a no-warning sectarian IRA bomb attack on the Balmoral Furniture shop on 11th December 1971”
This is the fourth iteration of the hunger-strikers board in Rockmore Road, which goes back (at least) to 1995. For two earlier versions, see third | first.
Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg are included alongside the ten deceased men from the 1981 strike.
“Fıann [sic] Robert Allsopp lived at this address. Died on active service March 3rd 1975. Fuaır sé bás ar son na hÉıreann. 1959-1975” Allsopp died at the family home (on the New Lodge Road) from the accidental discharge of a gun. The O’Neill-Allsopp flute band is named in his honour (and in honour of Jim O’Neill) and the band has a mural in Donore Court.
In February (2015) the SDLP changed its position on the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Assembly voted to allow it to operate (beyond ‘customs and borders’ functions) in Northern Ireland – it has been operating in Britain since 2013 (BBC | Irish Times). Sınn Féın continues to oppose the NCA (BBC).
“On May 7th vótáıl Gearóıd Ó hEára. Leading positive change” – Sınn Féın electoral billboard for the 2015 UK elections, on the back of Free Derry Corner.
Ó hEára would go on to take second place, behind the SDLP’s Mark Durkan (WP).
A Christian cross was added (in early 2015?) to the dove and oak leaf on Rossville Street, Derry. For a 2013 image of the previous version, see Dove Of Peace.
This Castlemara (Carrickfergus) has been criticized by both DUP and Alliance councillors (Newsletter). The final words – “Join the UDA” – have drawn particular ire, as in other respects it is similar to other murals in featuring hooded gunmen, such as these two other Carrickfergus murals: Inclusion | Eternal Vigilance. (Nolan Show discussion of the mural on 2015-02-11: Part 1 | Part 2)
The mural sports a hooded gunman facing the viewer with a slogan borrowed from Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata: “Better to die on your feet than live on your knees in an Irish republic. Join the UDA.”