Murals of Northern Ireland

A sampling of some of the pride murals located in Belfast and Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland
Keith OConnell Penn High School Summer 2004

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 1600s.

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 cant 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.

Irish Alzheimer's
According to our local guide, the bonfires and murals found throughout Northern Ireland, celebrating victories or remembering those lost in battles is a perfect example of Irish Alzheimers. People in Northern Ireland forget everythingEXCEPT THE GRUDGES.

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?

Works Cited Conflict Archive on the Internet (CAIN) http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/index.html Special thanks to the West European Studies National Resource Center for the opportunity to research this topic in depth