Refugees Welcome

The wave of people seeking asylum from political strife in Europe continues.”Fáılte romhaıbh a chaırde” is Irish for “Welcome, friends” while “Qaxootiga soo Dhaweyn” is Somali for “Refugees welcome”. Somalis make up about 9% of the current wave of migrants from Africa and Syrians 33% (Irish Times). 2,000 refugees are to be settled in Northern Ireland (belfastlive). The yellow-on-black outline of parents and daughter running originates in the United States, used on ‘caution’ signs along highways near the US-Mexico border. 

The mural was launched on September 12th.

Northumberland Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12846

Reclaim The Republic

The masthead of the 1916 proclamation declaring a “Provisional Government of the Irish Republic” to the “People of Ireland” is faithfully reproduced in this éırígí stencil, along with busts of Padraıg Pearse and Tom Clarke.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
Oct 9th: M12848 M12847
Aug 27th: M12822 [M12823] [M12824] [M12825] [M12826] [M12827]

Lower Shankill Angels

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]
M12195 M12196 [M12197]
M12198 M12199 M12200
M12201 M12202 [M12203] [M12204]
M12210 M12211 [M12212]

Loyalist Lower Shankill

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]
M12189 M12190

The Battle Of Britain

“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
M12180 M12178 [M12179] M12177

Oppose British Political Policing

“In defence of the nation – 32 County Sovereignty Movement [web] – opposed British political policing”.

32CSM’s statement on political policing can be found at its web-site.

Divis Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12715 [M12716] [M12717] [M12718]

RIP Vol Tommy Crossan

“Rest easy, big man”, “Justice will be done”.

Tommy Crossan, a former leader of the CIRA, was shot and killed, perhaps by former comrades, on Friday (April 18th, 2014 – Good Friday) (Guardian | BBC).

He was also active in elections in 2001 and in 2004.

Springfield Rd, west Belfast, close to where he was shot

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
M12700