Transcript Murals of Northern Ireland

Murals of Northern Ireland
A sampling of some of the pride
murals located in Belfast and
Londonderry (Derry),
Northern Ireland
Keith O’Connell
Penn High School
What are the murals?
The murals are a means of expression
by those who are Unionist (Protestant)
or Republicans (Catholic) particularly in
the Northern Ireland cities of Belfast
and Londonderry (Derry).
What is the purpose of the
murals?
The murals are a way to segregate
space or display resistance. They also
are used to contain memories of those
who have died in battle, or even to
voice opposition.
What are the different types
of murals?
Catholic murals
Protestant murals
Murals in Belfast
Protestant Mural in
Belfast City
“30 years of
Indiscriminate
Slaughter by SoCalled Non-Sectarian
Irish Freedom
Fighters”
”Battle of the Somme”
The Battle of the Somme in 1916, where the
36th Ulster Division suffered heavy casualties
fighting for Britain in the first World War.
Shankill Road (Protestant)
Shankill Road-Union Jack and Anti-Sinn Fein Mural
Sinn Fein is the
political
voice of the IRA. Most
Protestants view this
partnership as one
that cannot be trusted,
as depicted in this
mural.
Shankill Road- Empty Lots
These empty corner lots
are found throughout
the Shankill Road area
in Belfast. They provide
a meeting place for
young people and also
where bonfires are held
to commemorate battles
from as far back as the
1600’s.
UYM – Ulster Young Militants
“Ulster Will Always Remain British – No Surrender”
Belfast- Falls Road (Catholic)
“All things must come to Pass as one
So hope should never die
There is no height or bloody might
That a freeman can’t defy…”
Bobby Sands
Many Catholic murals in
Northern Ireland also tell
stories of people and battles
won and lost. Sands was a
young Catholic Republican who
went on a 66 day hunger strike,
dying a martyr to Catholics
particularly in Belfast.
Catholic Murals tend to
paint pictures of historical
events as a way to
remember their struggle.
These mural depicts the
Irish Potato famine.
Murals- Londonderry (Derry)
Depending on who you
ask, the city actually has
two names. Derry, as the
city was known by
Catholics, was changed by
those loyal to the Union to
Londonderry. Nevertheless,
murals dot the landscape
in this city as well,
particularly in the Catholic
“Free Derry” section of the
city.
“Battle of Bogside” Mural
This mural shows a young
boy holding what is
known as a petrol bomb.
The Battle that took place
in August of 1969 is
depicted in several
Republic murals in the
Bogside (Free Derry) area
of the city.
“Bloody Sunday” Mural
The events of that took
place in Derry on
January 30th, 1972 are
remembered in this
mural. 14 people were
killed by British soldiers
who opened fired on
the crowds gathered for
a peaceful civil rights
demonstration.
Londonderry MuralsSimilar messages to one
found in Belfast are found
in many Unionist murals in
Londonderry. “No
Surrender” is a common
theme in most of these
murals. Notice that even
the street sign are painted
in red, white, and blue.
These are the colors of the
Union Jack are found on
the street curbs as well in
the west bank
neighborhoods of
Londonderry.
Conclusion
The murals are a striking reminder of the
historical conflict between the Catholics and
Protestants in Northern Ireland.
They help to define the urban landscape of
cities like Belfast and Londonderry. Their
existence helps to provide symbolic artifacts
of events that help to explain the current
situation between the groups.
Symbol of the Future?