“Shankill Star [flute band Fb] in memory of Brian Robinson”. A brand new piece (unveiled March 2, 2013) to Brian Robinson and/sponsored by the Shankill Star Flute Band, in Disraeli Street – where Robinson grew up – replete with images from the first World War such as soldiers (both British and German), trenches and poppies. Robinson was killed on 2 Sept., 1989 by an army undercover unit moments after he had shot and killed a Catholic named Patrick McKenna (WP). This is the second mural on the street to Robinson – see M08248. The piece is not paint, but printed boards, and the image has been generated by computer.
“RUC – PSNI. Name change – no change. No political policing. No special powers. No daily armed raids. No daily harassment. No PSNI in our schools. No MI5. No £10 touts. No interment [sic]. Republican Network.ie.” (The web address no longer functions but there is a Fb page.)
32CSM placard on the railings around Free Derry Corner expressing solidarity with Palestine. On the right is “the petrol bomber” 13 year-old Paddy Coyle.
“100 years of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant. ‘We will not have home rule.’ The lions of Ulster.”
“West Belfast Athletic & Cultural Society – breaking down barriers through sport and cultural exchange. This mural was dedicated by Alderman Hugh Smyth O.B.E. on Friday the 21st September 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the signing of Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant.”
The eight plaques (from left to right) are to Major Fredrick H Crawford, Volunteer Robert J Adgey, James Craig, the Ulster Covenant, Sir Edward Henry Carson, Sir George Lloyd Reilly Richardson, Captain Wilfrid Spender, Ulster Volunteer Force.
“‘They cannot or never will break our spirit …’ – Bobby Sands. [A paraphrasing of a line from day 6 of Sands’s hunger strike diary.] ‘Tiocfaidh ár lá’.”
The back of the Springhill memorial garden is decorated for the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike in which ten republican prisoners died in the H-Blocks.
“Sınn Féın national hunger strike commemoration – 2012. March & rally – 2 pm Sunday 5th August, Dungiven – Co. Derry. Main speaker Michelle O’Neill MLA. Dungiven 81 Committee/1981 Dún Geımhın.” There is video of the event from An Phoblacht/Sınn Féın.
Black taxis were first brought from England to Belfast in 1970 by locals who wanted to provide an alternative, and locally-based, transport system to augment the Citybuses which were sometimes cancelled and sometimes burned out. The board above commemorates eight drivers who were killed during the troubles: Michael Duggan, Jim Green, Harry Muldoon, Paddy McAllister, Caoımhín Mac Brádaıgh, Thomas Hughes, Hugh Magee, and Paddy Clarke. “Providing Belfast with a public transport system for over 40 years.” “A Dhıa deán [sic] trocaıre [sic] ar a n-anamacha.” “Murdered in the service of their community.”
For the Twelfth Of July, 2012, portraits of William Of Orange, as coloured by Charter Youth Club, Sandy Row and Donegall Place Youth Club, were displayed along the Lisburn Road, Belfast.
The famous “You are now entering loyalist [UDA] Sandy Row” mural, has been replaced by a new board celebrating the (Dutch) William of Orange (or “King Billy” as he is more commonly referred to) (WP) and his “Danish, English, Dutch, French Huguenots, Prussian, Scots, Irish, Swiss, Polish, Italian, Norwegian” forces. “William III encourages his troops, on the morning of July 12th 1690 [in Dutch]: ‘Let ambition fire thy mind/Laat amitie brand uw verstand'”
The mural was launched July 2nd, 2016, and was painted by artist Ross Wilson (Tele). A time-lapse video of the painting-over of the previous mural and the installation of the various pieces is available on Youtube.
“Context: This new artwork indicates a community moving forward. It replaces the Ulster Freedom Fighters mural located for many years on this site, the replacement of that mural did not come easily to this community, only happening after a long and detailed period of consultation. The Loyalist community of Sandy Row is proud of its culture and heritage, we believe that this new mural strengthens our identity in a way that is shared, confident and open. History: This mural celebrates the victory of William III over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 “The battle of the two kinds” there is a factual geographical link with William III as he passed through Sandy Row on his way south to the Boyne. The williamite ranks were filled with Irish protestants and international troops, William encouraged the hearts of his troops on the morning of the battle when he called out to them “LET AMBITION FIRE THY MIND” they followed him to victory. The original battle date was the 1st July 1690. However in 1752 the new Gregorian Calendar was adopted and since then the Orange Order have celebrated the Battle of the Boyne on the 12th July. Image: The mural shows angels holding a crown over the crest of King William and his wife Queen Mary (Daughter of James II) joint monarchs by the grace of God. The orange lily and crown relate to the Dutch House of Orange and the new kingship of William Prince of Orange. The two soldiers are the elite Dutch Blue Guard who led William’s army into battle at the Boyne. The large portrait shows William at the age of 40 in the year 1690, a man with ambition and vision in his heart the year of his most important victory. “je Maintiendrai,” I will maintain, the motto of the House of Orange. Artist Ross Wilson”
