A Great Moment

ChillZero thinks it is a Great Idea to get rid of all paramilitary murals and replace them with something of a more peaceful nature (and I am in complete agreement with her) - now I'm not sure if Northern Ireland competing against England on the soccer pitch is more peaceful but at least it's something to be proud of (especially when England get hammered!). Although some paramilitary murals are being replaced, mainly at the instigation and with the co-operation of local residents, there will probably be some that will remain in place.
The goal scorer (David Healy) immortalised on this wall mural was raised in Killyleagh, and played for Crossgar, Lisburn Youth and Down Academy High School in Downpatrick. He signed for Manchester United in August 1999, just four days before his 20th birthday.
He was awarded an MBE for services to charity and his services to Northern Irish football in the Queen's birthday honours in June 2008. wikipedia

Our Wee Country and some murals

See the big picture - Donegall Road Primary School

I had heard about this some time ago but it was only this weekend that I was able to see and photograph it for myself. Photographs of children from Donegall Road Primary School have been arranged so that when you look at the mural from a distance you can make out the image of Ruby Murray. (Click on the pic above to see the Ruby Murray image - you may even have to sit back a bit from your monitor to see it properly).

I can't remember where I found the information but I have been googling to find out more about it but with no luck. You would think that the Tourist Board, Belfast City council or somebody would be falling over themselves to provide information about people and projects like this - but not a bit of it. Seems to me, that if local councillors or politicians can't get a free jolly to the other side of the world paid by us, the ratepayers, then they just don't want to know. Something that doesn't get their ugly gubs on the front of the Belfast Tele' obviously just isn't worth the effort.



Oh, nearly forgot to mention - it can be found on a gable wall at the end of Maldon Street at the top of Donegal Road.

East Belfast Murals

I took this video from the bus so please excuse the poor quality due to the bus acceleration. Just thought you might like to see a few more murals from East Belfast of slightly better artistic quality than the one here: Some of the murals are being replaced by something less politically or religiously sensitive but frankly I cannot see these murals ever being painted over.

This from The Guardian: "Paramilitary murals will be replaced under a government-funded scheme to redecorate Northern Ireland's gable ends and public spaces with more welcoming images."