Gerard ‘Mo Chara’ Kelly first painted a mural of King Nuada in 1987, a year after being released from Long Kesh. He reproduced an illustration by Jim Fitzpatrick on a gable wall in Springhill (see images from 1987 | 1988 | 1989). This post-peace version is on the side-wall of the Whiterock Road Spar and was painted as statement of Kelly’s own rebirth after ceasing to work with funding agencies such as the Upper Springfield Development Trust. The third and fourth images are from 2008 and show the mural in an early state; the mural as shown above in 2009 is in fact still not complete – the bottom and left-hand side are unfinished. See these 2010 images for the full effect.
Portraits of Seamus Costello (INLA/IRSP founder), Gino Gallagher (INLA chief of staff), Che, Patsy O’Hara, Miriam Daly, James Connolly on the Springfield Road turn-around.
11 Catholic civilians from Ballymurphy were shot and killed by British Army paratroopers on August 9th-11th, during the initial wave of internment. Father Hugh Mullan, the second to be killed, is shown in the cross-hairs of a rifle’s sight, waving a baby’s onesie as he goes to the aid of a wounded man (Bobby Clarke). “Time for truth, time for justice. The families demand … an international independent investigation surrounding all of the deaths … the British government to issue a statement of innocence and a public apology.” “57 children left without a parent. Hundreds [of other children never got to meet their granny, granda, aunt or uncle.]” The blank panel is for “Family Messages”.
For the anti-joy-riding board on the gable, see Where’s The Joy?
“Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.” This is a 2008 work by Ross Wilson commemorating David Ervine (WP) in Montrose Street South, Belfast, the area he came from. The inclusion of one of the Harland & Wolff cranes reflects his connection to working class politics in east Belfast.
Ulster Unionist Party East Belfast Advice Centre, in 2009 the offices of Sir Reg Empey, MLA. The shield/emblem in the top is very rare (and probably a mistake): provincial (rather than six-county) Ulster with a crown on top.
“I ndıl cuimhne [chuimhne] Óglach Jim McKernan executed by the British Army near this spot 14th September 1986. Fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. [He died for the cause of Ireland’s freedom]” McKernan was killed in a gun battle between an IRA unit and a British Army foot patrol. Andersonstown Road at Ballyowen.
“Putting Ireland first [in Europe]”. Sınn Féın European election hoarding for candidate Baırbre de Brún on the side of the Andersonstown office (Connolly House).