Belfast west

Palestinian Territory

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Here is a set of pro-Palestinian murals at the top of Springhill, inspired by recent events in Gaza.

The second (from left to right) shows Palestinian teenager Faris Odeh throwing a rock at an Israeli tank; Odeh was shot and killed a few days later (WP). The AP photograph on which the mural is based can be seen in this May 2012 edition of (the Pakistani) The Nation.

The final two are intended to show four stages of the disappearing Palestinian territories (on the left) and four stages of the disappearing Irish gaeltacht (on the right). The Palestinian one was completed – see below – but the Irish one never was.

Springhill Avenue, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Equality For Travellers

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This is a mural in support of travellers’ right, featuring horseshoes, musical notation, and a child looking out of a vintage caravan. Sponsored by West Against Racism Network (WARN) and Springfield Charitable Association (SCA – web)

The image that the artists were working from for central portion of the mural – a 2009 photograph by Mark Stedman – can be seen still taped to the wall.

International Wall, Divis Street (Visual History)

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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Scaırt Amach

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“Scaırt Amach – the voice of Irish republican prisoners – Maghaberry, Portlaoise, Hydebank”. Scaırt Amach (“Shout Out”) is a magazine containing articles by republican prisoners in the three prisons.

This IRPWA (web) mural reproduces the cover of the magazine, on the International Wall, Divis Street (Visual History), west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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Óglach Joe McDonnell

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“Óglach Joe McDonnell died on hunger strike in the H Blocks of Long Kesh July/ 8th/ 1981. ‘You dare to call me a terrorist while you look down your gun.’ [youtube]”

This is a new (July 2014) version of the McDonnell mural, painted by Gerard “Mo Chara” Kelly, on the Suffolk Road, Andersonstown, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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Leila Khaled

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Palestinian icon Leila Khaled, who took part in aeroplane hijackings in 1969 and 1970, is featured in this new mural pro-Gaza mural in Hugo Street. The central portrait is a replication of a famous photo by Eddie Adams (WP), taken after her first skyjacking; she then underwent plastic surgery to disguise her identity prior to the 1970 attempt (WP).

Khaled is also featured in the pro-Gaza mural in McQuillan Street: Oppression Breeds Resistance

This mural replaces the right-hand side of Think Independently, Vote Independently.

On the left is an éirígí stencil calling for “Acht Na Gaeılge Anoıs!!!” – “An Irish Language Act Now!!!” The Belfast Telegraph reports that an Irish language bill will be published in the near future, though the DUP have already rejected such an Act. (For more background and discussion see Brian Walker’s post on Slugger.)

In the middle remains JFTC2.

Hugo Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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Vol. Kieran Doherty TD

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Kieran Doherty died on August 2nd, 1981, after 73 days on hunger-strike. The (repainted – compare to 2001 | 2004 | 2011) mural in his memory depicts scenes from his funeral on 1981-08-04.

The photograph on which the central panel is based is by Derek Spiers; see also this set at hungerstrikes.org. The volley took place outside the Doherty family home in nearby Commedagh Drive (Belfast Media).

The portrait of Doherty in the top left replaces a similar one in the same location; the plaque at the portrait’s top-right corner remains from before. The angled panel shows Doherty’s parents, Alfie and Margaret.

The (actual) memorial stone, which is here reproduced on the perpendicuar joining wall, was also seen in 2007.

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Copyright © 2014/2015 Peter Moloney
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I Have The Spirit Of Freedom

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Four deaths have been added to the memorial plaque in St James’s Road, west Belfast, which commemorates locals from the area who died at the hands of the police and army.

The plaque dates back to (at least) 1986, and originally named Rooney (civilian), Liggett (IRA), Waterson, McDonald (civilian), McGrady (civilian), Larmour (civilian), Burns (IRA), and Brady (SF).

To these have been added McAllister (civilian), Devine (civilian), O’Dwyer (civilian), and Burns (IRA).

See also: The area’s main memorial garden also includes O’Callaghan (d. 1977 IRA) and Lenaghan (d. 1991 civilian). Next to it is a mural to Liggett And Brady.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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St James Supports Gaza

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A Claddagh ring connotes friendship (caırdeas – sadaaka (صدقة)), love, and loyalty, here between Ireland and Palestine. The ring’s band is composed of their two flags.

The wide shot shows the adjacent “Free Palestine” mural, also featuring the Palestinian flag.

Replaces a Che stencil and a Cliftonville-Celtic mural.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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