“One race – one love – one world. West Belfast Area Project & Divis Youth Project supported by Belfast City Council.” A wheel of hands from children of different races exhorts residents to overlook differences in skin-tone.
At the bottom of Divis tower, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Marty Lyons is shown adding the WARN emblems to an otherwise-completed mural on the International Wall, Divis Street.
On the left, an Irish family in front of a window reading “No Irish need apply” is stereotyped as jagged-toothed, shillelagh-wielding hunch-backs in the style of Punch and other magazines’ portrayal of the Irish. The Punch portrayal is described, and Punch named explicitly, in the song ‘Do Me Justice’ a.k.a. ‘Here I Am From Donegal’. (Lyrics | audio: Frank Harte (full song) | Len Graham (clip).) They also carry a copy of “The Big Begorra” – a play on The Big Issue, a newspaper published on behalf of, and sold by, homeless people. “We’re projections of 19th century anti-Irish prejudice—we’ve never actually existed.”
The treatment of the Irish is used as an anology for the the Roma (WP): “Whereas I, ethnoid steriotypus their creator, have existed since time immemorial. My latest target—the Roma! I hope you’ll swallow all the lies I concoct.”
“Hey—what was the outcome of the harassment of the Roma newspaper sellers?” “The evening edition collapsed!” – this is a reference to the Belfast Telegraph‘s decision to cease printing an evening edition.
In the lower right is the signature of political cartoonist Ian Knox, a.k.a. Blotski (WP) – Marty Lyons and a Short Strand artist were also involved – and date (9 August, 2012 – for Féile 2012 (pictures of the launch).
Divis Street and Falls Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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“Get the real story – local history from local people – take a black taxi tour – West Belfast Taxi Association – 40 years unbroken service”. The tours of “local” history are of course aimed at non-locals as part of the ‘dark tourism’ or ‘Troubles tourism’ boom.
Here is the Getty Images photo of British Army soldiers on the Falls Road in 1969, on which the mural is based.
Divis Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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This mural expresses solidarity between Irish republican and Palestinian prisoners of war. It was painted by Carlos Latuff, a Brazilian political cartoonist, in collaboration with a local artist. There’s a picture of them in front of the mural, as well as Latuff’s cartoon version, here. He also drew a cartoon on the wall of a café in Belfast and visited Derry.
Northumberland Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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“Britain out of Ireland” and “No PSNI” from eirigi.org stencilled placards on Northumberland Street (Visual History).
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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“In memory of IRA volunteers Gerard Crossan, Tom McCann, Tony Lewis, John [Sean] Johnston, who died while on active service on the 9th March 1972 at 32 Clonard St. Erected by the Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners Association.” The four died in a premature explosion (“active service”) presumably at the home of Lewis, who lived in Clonard Street. Crossan and Johnston were 19, McCann and Lewis were 20 (The Troubles 11).
Clonard Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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“Free all Basque political prisoners” – a new mural launched during Féıle 2012 in Beechmount Avenue, Belfast.
The symbol on the left represents amnesty for Basque prisoners (BasqueMurals). On the right, next to “Basque Belfast Solidarity Committee” (Fb) is the Basque cross of Lauburu (WP).
With thanks to basquemurals.wordpress.com
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Ballymurphy, The Aftermath was first produced for Féile in 2011 and returned for Féile 2012, running for a week in the Conway Mill. The play was written by Brenda Murphy and directed by Pam Brighton (An Phoblacht | Ballymurphy Massacre | BBC).
“Relatives For Justice – plastic bullet vigil, Wednesday 8th August, Andersonstown barracks site, 6.00PM – 7.00PM” – see 2011’s Transgenerational Trauma.
Falls Road/Glen Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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“Jim Stranney, republican and socialist, 1915-1938, fought and died in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939. ‘You were of the people and for the people your life was laid.’ No pasarán. Erected by Teach Na Fáılte [INLA ex-prisoners] & The Belfast Cultural and Local History Group.” Stranney was killed in an assault on a fascist position near Gandesa on July 30th or 31st, 1938 (Belfast Media | tw). For a brief biography see CarltonBooks.
Above the door of 10 John Street, Belfast, which is perhaps where his parents lived.
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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“Belfast, Shankill Road the heart of the empire salutes her majesty on 60 glorious years.” [1952-2012]
This is a new three-part installation of boards on Crimea Street for Queen Elizabeth’s diamond (60th) jubilee. For “Ulster To England” see Ulster Girl. On the left are flags of the home nations along with the Royal Standard and Union Flag.
For some close-ups, see the Seosamh Mac Coille collection.
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 