“Shakey U were ‘simply the best’ RIP. Quis separabit” on top of “Gerry Adams paedophile godfather.” Perhaps a UDA tribute to John ‘Shakey’ Wallce of the RHC.
Donegall Road, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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“Unbowed, unbroken.” Five of the original 18 portraits are missing – see the image from 2006 (as well as the plaque just out of shot to the left.)
This is a version of the earlier Éıre/Ireland mural (depicted as a female in the centre of the mural) seen in 2005.
Mountpottinger Road, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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“Understand the past – and build a better future le chéıle Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter.” “The past” in this case is the Battle Of St Matthew’s (“Chath Naomh Máıtıú”), one of the formative events of the Provisional IRA (“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann”) (WP). The “better future” is symbolised by the dove and the absence of a weapon in the arms of the central figures – compare to this Derry mural from 1985. The mural was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.
Mountpottinger Street, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Henry McIlhone died in the Battle Of St Matthew’s, 27th June 1970 (along with McCurrie and Neill). There is also a memorial cross. James George and Bobby Jennings are recognized for their long-time contributions to the Short Strand community. The plaque was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.
“Cuıreadh an leac seo ın aırde ı ndíl [ndıl] chuımhne ar na daoıne ó pharóıste Naomh Maıtıú, a thug a gcuıd ama, a saoırse agus a mbeo leıs an cheantar seo agus a phobal a chosaınt, go mórmhór le lınn luatha tréımhse na coımhlınte seo. Ar an dóıgh chéanna lean sıad traıdısıún a thoısıgh sna 1920aí ı ndıaıdh críochdheıghılt ı gceantar macasamhaıl Baıle Mhıc Aırt an fód ın aghaıdh leatroım, an ıdırdhealaıthe agus ın éadan bagaırt an bháıs orthu. Tháınıg sıad le chéıle le sábháılteacht a muıntıre féın a chınntıú. Tá roınnt de na laochra sıúd ar shlí na fırınne anoıs, ach maıreann a gcrógacht agus a gcríonnacht go fóıll agus beıdh cuımhne agaınn ar an héachtraí a rınne sıad go deo na ndeor.”
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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This is the scene in Templemore Avenue during the Twelfth season, 2010. The post box and lamp-posts are painted in red, white, and blue, and Orange Lodge banners hang from the cross-bars.
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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The theme “Remember the fallen from war” is illustrated by a bombed-out Ballymacarret library on Templemore Avenue and St. Patrick’s church, which is just across the street from the mural, both of which were hit during the blitz in 1942, a police land rover perhaps indicates the dead during the Troubles, while Cuchulainn stands for the IRA (and/or for the UDA?). The word “peace” appears next to an image of Stormont (bottom right) painted in white rather than grey.
We are supposed to remember the dead because (perhaps) their deaths were unnecessary and misguided as means to peace, at least according to the saying along the bottom (sometimes attributed to Einstein): “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” – understanding of the Nazis during the blitz, it seems, and of loyalists during the Troubles. If you have a better interpretation, please (please!) leave a comment.
The mural was imitated on the hoarding around the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road during its renovation, though this version does not mention the blitz and seems to be lamenting the CNR dead and calling for understanding of the CNR community (sc. by Britain and the Orange state) – see X01279.
Lendrick Street, east Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05643
The shutters of the Union Jack Souvenir Shop on the Newtownards Road are painted with 36th (Ulster) Division and Royal Irish Regiment murals. The motto of the latter is “faugh-a-ballagh” an Anglicization of “fág an bealach” [leave the road].
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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“Thomas Russell, 1767-1803, United Irishman, “the man from God knows where“, librarian 1794-1796”. Russell was the second librarian of the Linen Hall Library and was arrested there in 1796 on a charge of inciting rebellion. For his part in the rebellion of 1803 he was executed by beheading at Downpatrick gaol, on October 21st.
Donegall Square North, Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05639
2010 image of the 2009 Cuba mural, with the word “Venceremos” added on the left-hand side.
Pro-Cuba mural on the international wall and criticism of the Obama regime’s continuation of the US blockade. “The world opposes US blockade of Cuba. Time for a change Mr Obama.” “UN General Assembly resolution Oct 2008. Countries opposed to the blockade: 185. Countries in favour: 3 (US, Israel, Palau)”. “¡Aqui no se rinde nadie!” [There’s no giving up here!]
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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2010 mural (unveiled July 4th on the 40th anniversary) of Máıre Drumm (WP) and the women of West Belfast breaking the British army curfew of the Lower falls in 1970 (brief interview footage from the 9:00 minute mark). Máıre Drumm was later shot dead in her bed in the Mater hospital where she was a patient.
The commemorative plaque that was next to Elaine’s and the Sınn Féın office was later moved to the top right corner of the mural. [M05736]
International wall, Divis St, Belfast. (A shot of this mural being painted can be found here.)
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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 