Peace Monuments in Eire / Ireland & Northern Ireland

Click here for peace monuments in the remainder of the United Kingdom. | Click here for a website about Irish murals supporting freedom movements in other countries. | Click here for "Murals of Northern Ireland" (721 items) from Claremont Colleges Digital Library (CCDL).

Right click image to enlarge. | Click here for a BBC gallery of murals in Northern Ireland.

1969 - A so-called "Peace Line" in Belfast, separating a Protestant & Catholic neighbourhood from each other. The wall runs the length of the Springmartin Road, Belfast, & is about 18 feet high. The compound at the top of the wall is a police station. Peace walls (also known as peace lines) in Northern Ireland are not yet fully represented on this web page. "The first barriers were built in 1969, following the outbreak of the 1969 Northern Ireland riots & 'The Troubles.' They were built as temporary structures because they were indeed meant to be temporary, lasting only six months, but due to their effective nature they have become more permanent, wider & longer. Originally few in number, they have multiplied over the years, from 18 in the early 1990's to 40 today; in total they stretch over 13 miles (21 km). Most are located in Belfast. In recent years they have become locations for tourism. Black taxis now take groups of tourists around Belfast's Peace Lines, trouble spots & famous murals."

August 1969 - Bombay Street Peaceline," Belfast (Northern Ireland). "The mother of all the city's peacelines... Stretches for hundreds of yards, keeping apart the Protestant Shankill & the Catholic Falls. It has stood for 40 years as a monument to division, a forceful declaration that Northern Ireland's conflicting nationalities cannot be trusted to live together. A mixture of concrete, metal & wire mesh, it looms 30 ft tall... Over the years it has been joined by scores more barriers snaking their way between republican & loyalist ghettos in the west & north of the city. Many more have gone up but none has ever come down. Some of the newer ones elsewhere have been artfully created as little mini-gardens with tasteful bricks & trellises, draped with creepers & climbing plants. They are sometimes called designer peacelines, but no amount of camouflage can disguise the purpose of the forbidding Bombay Street edifice. Yet now some in the city have finally begun to think the previously unthinkable & to wonder how it might one day be taken down."

1970 - Lusitania Peace Memorial, Cobh, County Cork (Ireland). "Jerome Connor [1876-1943], born in County Kerry but raised in Massachusetts, arrived at sculpture via commercial stone cutting. Returning to Ireland in the early 1920's, Connor rapidly became involved in the sculpture of the new Free State, executing portraits of leading politicans as well as designs for the new coinage. Although most noted for his Lusitania Peace Memorial in Cobh, County Cork, his bronze sculpture of Robert Emmet is one of the classic statues of Irish Nationalism." The RMS Lusitania was sunk off Cobh by a German U-boat on May 7, 1915. Delays prevented the memorial from being completed for 55 years after the disaster.

1988 - Grave of Seán MacBride, Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin (Ireland). Seán MacBride [1904-1988] received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1974. He unveiled the statue of Reconciliation at the University of Bradford (England) in 1977 (qv). This is also grave of his mother Maude Gonne MacBride [1865-1953].

1991? - Cairn of Peace, near Limavady, County Londonderry (Northern Ireland). Commemorates the World Ploughing Championship held here in 1991. See other ploughing camptionship peace monuments in Ontario (Canada).

May 8, 1992 - "World Peace Now" Mural, South Sweetzer & West 3rd Streets, Los Angeles, California (USA). "A double parallel of apocalyptic images can be seen either as revelation for the viewer, or as a visionary choice--or both..." Measured 60 x 17 feet (18.2 x 5.1 meters). By American artist Lawrence S. Day who started the Art-for-Peace movement.

1992 - "Reconciliation/Hands Across the Divide" Statue, west end of Craigavon Bridge, Londonderry (Northern Ireland). Produced by Maurice Harron. An image of the statue illustrates the website and brochures of the "Ulster Project" in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (USA).

1993 - Peace Cairn, Rossnowlagh, County Donegal (Ireland). "Intended to satisfy two distinct though parallel functions. The physical action of placing an object in memoriam is both simple & familiar. Whenever there is an unusual loss of life, we are accustomed to the sight of people placing flowers on the spot, often forming a significant mound. The image is potent but transient; hence the second function. The cairn remains on the site in a permanent state of change. In its permanence, it reminds the visitor to think of peace & consider whether there is anything they can do to help to bring it about. In its constant state of change, it is a reminder that 'peace' is not something which comes about & then remains so forever but the first step in an ongoing commitment to maintenance & continuing effort. The activity symbolises many things on many levels. On one level, it represents the laying down of primitive weapons - turning them into building blocks of a better future... The Peace Cairn represents a burial place for enmity & violence. It is simultaneously a memorial to those lost to violence & an aspiration for peace in the future." /// Rossnowlagh is a seaside resort & surfing beach.

1995 - Mural, International Wall, Falls Road, Belfast (Northern Ireland). According to Danny Devenny, "my first mural on what’s called the 'international wall' in the Falls Road - one of 41 walls still standing between Protestant & Catholic areas in Belfast - was in 1995. It dealt with the issue of deaths from plastic bullets..."

1995 - "Universal Links on Human Rights," Amiens Street & Memorial Road, Dublin (Ireland). On a traffic island close to Busáras & the Customs House. "A sphere of welded interlinked chains and bars, 260 cm in diameter, housing an eternal flame in its center, powered by natural gas from the Kinsale Head gas field. Commissioned by Amnesty International in 1995 & designed by Tony O'Malley. Represents the jails holding prisoners of conscience."

1997 - "Famine,", St. Stephen's Green, Custom House Quay, Docklands, Dublin (Ireland). By Edward Delaney. This location is a particularly appropriate & historic as one of the first voyages of the Famine period was on the 'Perserverance' which sailed from Custom House Quay on St. Patrick's Day 1846. The Steerage fare on the ship was £3 and 210 passengers made the historical journey. They landed in New York on the 18th May 1846. All passengers and crew survived the journey. Click here for Wikipedia's "List of memorials to the Great Famine."

1997 - John Hume Peace Garden, Banada, Tourlestrane, County Sligo, Ireland. "In 1997 John Hume of the Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP) came to open the first Peace Park in the South. The Park was named in his memory and in recognition of the work he was doing promoting peace... These wonderful gardens by the banks of the river Moy were donated by the Mullarkey family & represent a major attraction for the area of Banada & Tourlestrane. The gardens contain public seating, picnic areas, a fountain, pagoda, boat house & an authentic famine pot [sic]."

July 23, 1997 - Irish Famine Memorial, Cambridge Common, Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA). "Dedicated by the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson." /// "We at The New England Journal of Aesthetic Research would also like to nominate Maurice Harron’s memorial for our Worst Public Art in New England Award." /// "There is a very similar memorial in downtown Boston. "

April 10, 1998 - Good Friday accord (a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process). Prepared by US Senator George J. Mitchell.

November 11, 1998 - Páirc Síochána d'Oileán na h'Éireann / Island of Ireland Peace Park, Mesen / Messines, near Ypres, Flanders (Belgium). A war memorial to the soldiers of the island of Ireland who died, were wounded or are missing from World War I. Includes the Irish Peace Tower, a symbolic Irish round tower.

November 11, 1998 - Northern Ireland Peace Bell, Páirc Síochána d'Oileán na h'Éireann / Island of Ireland Peace Park, Mesen / Messines, near Ypres, Flanders (Belgium).

Upper image April 1, 1999 - George Mitchell Bridge, between Cavan (Republic of Ireland) & Enniskillin (Northern Ireland). Aghalane Bridge rebuilt & newly named for US Senator George J. Mitchell. "Forms the border between North & South of Ireland. For 150 years this bridge served as a liaison to businesses and municipalities, which were located in the hinterland, as well as the main transport route between Donegal & Dublin and the shortest connection between the provincial towns of Enniskillen & Cavan."

Lower image April 1, 1999 - Peace Monument, between Cavan (Republic of Ireland) & Enniskillin (Northern Ireland). "After the ribbons were cut at the opening of the bridge, Lord Dubs, Minister Dempsey unveiled a sculpture with the name 'PEACE FOR ALL' by the sculptor Derek A. Fitz Simons from Newbridge, County Kildare. [It] represents a life-size warrior who is both tired of war, and the futility of further slaughter of conscious and is gently embraced by his partner, who is the mother of Ireland and has the strength to catch him and to comfort... The sculpture is to send out this statement: "Do we want to continue the way we are going or look at ourselves and try to resolve the situation?"The female figure represents peace, the male figure is naked to highlight the equality of all people, Protestants and Catholics, blacks and whites."

M U R A L

1999 - Ireland's Holocaust Mural, Whiterock Road, Ballymurphy, West Belfast (Northern Ireland). Mural says, "An Gorta Mór, Britain's genocide by starvation, Ireland's holocaust 1845–1849." "Reminds the Nationalist/Republican community of what has been seared into the Irish collective memory as the holocaust that cost millions of lives because of British indifference or cold calculation." "Britain's cover-up of its 1845-1850 holocaust in Ireland [is] the most successful Big Lie in all of history... As no Jewish person would ever refer to the 'Jewish Oxygen Famine of 1939-1945,' so no Irish person ought ever refer to the Irish Holocaust as a famine."

November 8, 2000 - Reconciliation, Stormont Castle, Belfast (Northern Ireland). One of 4 copies of a statue by Josefina de Vasconcellos [1904-2005]. Original in Bradford (England). Copies (paid for by Sir Richard Branson) in Belfast, Berlin, Coventry & Hiroshima (qv). Click here for distant view.

2001 - Peace Bell, Centre of the Peacemaze, Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan, Dounty Down (Northern Ireland). "The Peace Maze is one of the world’s largest permanent hedge mazes, representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, it is maturing quickly, and visitors attempt to solve their way to the peace bell in the centre of the maze."

July 4, 2002 - Phoenix Peace Fountain, Coleraine, County Londonderry (Northern Ireland). Gift from "the communities of the USA to the communities of Northern Ireland,...celebrates 'Northern Ireland rising from the ashes of past violence...' In the form of Giant's Causeway stones... Above these sits the phoenix bird arising from the flames... Within are the melted down thousands of guns which were collected from across America between March 2001 and February 2002. Some of the outlines of these firearms are still to be seen within the 'Nest' of the bird and also at the base of the pool." Contributors mainly from northern Ohio. Project led by Dr. Michael J. Whitely of Kent State University & Inspirational Media International, Inc. (IMI).

July 16, 2002 - Irish Hunger Memorial, Vesey Street & North End Avenue, Battery Park City, New York City, New York (USA). "Designed collaboratively by artist Brian Tolle, landscape architect Gail Wittwer-Laird, and 1100 Architect. Dedicated to raising awareness of the Great Irish Famine - referred to by the Irish as 'The Great Hunger' or An Gorta Mor in Irish Gaelic - that killed up to a million people in Ireland between the years 1845 & 1852. It is a uniquely landscaped plot, which utilizes stones, soil & native vegetation brought in from the western coast of Ireland & contains stones from all of the different counties of Ireland. Also incorporates an authentic rebuilt Irish cottage of the 19th century."

2004 - Mural of Sir Edward Carson, Spier's Place, Shankill Road, Belfast (Northern Ireland). "Shows a portrait of Sir Edward Carson, UVF Motor Car Corps; the SS Clydevalley; 36th Ulster Division at the Battle of the Somme; Ulster's solemn league and covenant." Quotes him as saying "Only a fool would fight if there is a hope of accommodation." /// "Edward Henry Carson often known as Sir Edward Carson or Lord Carson, was a British barrister, judge and politician. He was leader of the Ulster Unionist Party between 1910 and 1921, held numerous positions in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom and served as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. Upon his death, in 1935, he was one of the few non-monarchs to receive a UK state funeral." Information courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey. Not certain if image shows the mural to which he refers.

July 30, 2004 - Peace Mural, Bogside, Derry (Northern Ireland). In 2007, brothers Tom and William Kelly and their friend Kevin Hasson from Derry, collectively known as the 'Bogside Artists', recreated their famous 'Peace' mural on the Mall in Washington, DC (USA). The original depicts a dove of peace. Click here for distant view.

March 26, 2005 - Republican Volunteers & Activists Mural, Beechview Park, off Whiterock Road, Ballymurphy, Belfast (Northern Ireland). Plaque reads: "In proud remembrance of all those who assisted, resourced and gave selflessly to the Republican Cause. [List of names folllows] When passing this spot, pause, think of us and Erin and smile." Unveiled by Joe Cahill's widow Annie. Main speaker at the unveiling ceremony: Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly. Mural painted by Danny Devenny. Note dove of peace at top of mural.

After 2005 - United Nations Peace Garden, St. Mary's Cathedral, Bridge Street, Limerick, Munster (Ireland). Plaques name Irish soldiers killed in Congo 1960-63, Lebanon 1978-2000, Cyprus 1965-71, etc. Most recent death was in 2005.

Date? - Mural, Shankill Road at Townsend Street, Belfast (Northern Ireland). "There is (or was) also a seemingly religious Global Country of World Peace mural at the intersection of the Shankill Road & Townsend Street that says 'Crowning Northern Ireland with Invincibility' that features clouds, a scene of space & a picture of the globe exuding a rainbow." Information & image courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey.

Date? - "Crowning Northern Ireland with Invincibility" Mural, Belfast (Northern Ireland). What is relationship of this & mural at far left?

Date? - "Hole in the Wall," Northumberland Street, West Belfast (Northern Ireland). On the Falls/Shankill peace line. "By Danny Devenny & Mark Ervine à la [graffiti artist] Banksy." According to Devenny, "my first mural on what’s called the 'international wall' in the Falls Road - one of 41 walls still standing between Protestant & Catholic areas in Belfast - was in 1995. It dealt with the issue of deaths from plastic bullets. But the murals reflect the mood & political consciousness of our community, so they have become less bellicose since the Good Friday accord on April 10, 1998. I am totally committed to the peace process: there has to be a political solution."

Date? - Peace Wall Graffiti, Belfast (Northern Ireland). This example reads "We came from.. Berlin.. Copenhagen.. Cork.. Drogheda.. Dublin.. Dundalk.. London.. Melbourne.. New York.. Tullamore.. (China, Rome, Naples, Cantania, Syracuse) to bring PEACE to Belfast!"

Date? - UVF Mural, just off the Shankill Road, West Belfast (Northern Ireland). Main line of text: "THE PEOPLE'S ARMY 1912-2002 - 90 YEARS OF RESISTANCE." /// "There is a UVF mural that depicts a history of the UVF (as the UVF sees it) that includes David Ervine's participation in the political peace process." The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is a loyalist paramilitary group formed in early 1966 which undertook an armed campaign of almost 30 years during "The Troubles" & declared a ceasefire in 1994. Information courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey.

Date? - "No More" Mural, Kenilworth Place, off Newtownards Road, Belfast (Northern Ireland). "Depicts East Belfast lad Dylan Wilson holding hands with Dearbhla Ward, a local girl from Short Strand. It promotes a more positive cultural image." /// "In the heart of Loyalist East Belfast, in the shadow of the Harland & Wolff cranes, a message of peace." /// "One of my favorites is the "No More War" mural featuring a poem & a boy from East Belfast & a girl from Short Strand shaking hands." Information courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey.

April 26, 2006 - International Peace Garden, St. Patrick's Park (beside St. Patrick’s Cathedral), Dublin (Ireland). One of many International Peace Gardens in different countries. Presented to Ireland by Nicosia (Cyprus)

June 21, 2007 - Commemorative Wall, Ireland Park, Eireann Quay, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Adjoins Canada Malting Silos. "Commemorates the 38,000 Irish famine victims who landed on Toronto’s shores in 1847." /// "An imposing wall made exclusively of limestone imported from Kilkenny which has the names of those who died in 1847... Includes many of Toronto's citizens who gave their life to the Irish cause, including Bishop Michael Power."

2007 - Beacon of Hope, Thanksgiving Square, Belfast (Northern Ireland). £300,000 metal sculpture by Scot Andy Scott 19.5 metres high. According to plaque, aims "to bring people together and to change hearts and minds; to make bridges across the divides in our community; to work towards a peaceful, happy existence fo everyone on this planet by respect for each other, their cultural heritages and all our aspirations." Also called "Angel of Thanksgiving," "Nuala with the Hoola," "The Thing with the Ring" & "Bell on the Ball." // Square is modeled on Thanks-Giving Square in Dallas, Texas (USA).

April 28, 2008 - "Painting from the Same Palette," Campus Center Room, University of Massachusetts (UMass), Amherst, Massachusetts (USA). "Painted for the UMass Legal Studies department. Depicts Ireland’s war conflict in blue, while the foreground of the picture shows Devenny’s grandchildren & Ervine’s children in vibrant colors, holding banners that promote moving ahead of the conflict & making peace with each other." Painted by two artists whose communities were previously at war, Danny Devenny, former Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoner, & Mark Ervine, son of David Ervine, former Progressive Unionist Party leader & Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) member... Unveiled [in coordination with events celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement] to a standing-room-only crowd & the muralists joining via videoconference from Belfast."

May 2008 - "Healing Hands," St. Peter & St. Paul Cathedral, Ennis, County Claire (Republic of Ireland). Pair of hands sculpured from Threecastles limestone by local artist Shane Gilmore. Six plaques give various interpretations, e.g. peace ("marking a new era of peace on the island of Ireland"), welcome ("acknowledging the presense of immigrants..."), cooperation, healing, and faith, and quoting Isaiah 49:15 ("I will not forget you. I have carved your name on the palm of my hand."). Info courtesy of Julie Obermeyer.

2008 - Palestine Mural, International Wall, Falls Road, Belfast (Northern Ireland). Depicts the Israeli wall on the Belfast wall. Text on mural: "Free Palestine from 60 years of Nakba. END THIS BARBARIAN ISRAELI AGGRESSION! 'THIS IS A WAR CRIME.' 1300+ SLAUGHTERED."

May 21, 2008 - Peace Bell, Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin (Republic of Ireland). The bell, dating from the 19th C, is suspended from a central piece of oak from the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin, and supported by two oak trunks, one from Shane's Castle Demesne, County Antrim, the other from the Glencairn/Leopardstown Park Hospital area. Marks the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Áras an Uachtaráin is the former Viceregal Lodge and is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Ireland. /// When was the bell cast or names? When installed at this locastion? Iimage shows US President Barak Obama & Irish President Mary McAleese planting a tree at the bell on May 21, 2011.

October 7, 2008 - Mayo Memorial Peace Park & Garden of Remembrance, Castlebar, County Mayo (Ireland). "Honours the memory of all those from Mayo, who served and died in all wars worldwide and conflicts of the past century, with the Allied and Commonwealth Forces, a forgotten generation who were written out of local history until recent times." Opened by the President of Ireland, Mary McAlesee.

Octobrer 17, 2008 - World Poverty Stone, Custom House Quay, Docklands, Dublin (Ireland). East of the Famine Sculptures (qv). "Marks the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of World Poverty. This limestone memorial was commissioned as a gesture of solidarity with people living in poverty around the world." Related to the original 1987 Commemorative Stone at the Palais de Challot (qv) in Paris (France).

November 14, 2008 - David Ervine Mural & Sculpture, Montrose Street South, East Belfast (Northern Ireland). "Mural is accompanied by a sculpture by Ross Wilson of a chair which incorporate important symbols of East Belfast & of the late PUP leader who died in January 2007 at age 53." /// "Speaking of David Ervine [1953-2007], would the sculpture commemorating him with an accompanying mural in East Belfast count? It quotes him, 'Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.' Information courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey.

April 2009 - Celtic Peace Garden, IOSAS Centre, on Derry/Donegal border (Northern Ireland). IOSAS = "Island of Saints & Scholars." "The culmination of The Columba Community's work of reconciliation over the past 20 years. It is built near The White Oaks Centre & brings serenity & healing to visitors & to the residents of the Centre. Inspired by the 5th-12th Century spiritual renaissance in Europe, which followed the fall of the Roman Empire. The Garden, with its representations of the Cross of Patrick, the Boat of Brendan, the Island of Columba & the Oratory of Canice, inspires visitors to a spiritual re-awakening & renewal following the recent Troubles in this land. Also, a rough pathway round the perimeter affords Christian Pilgrims ample opportunity for reflective prayer." /// Image shows "Statue of The Risen Christ with the straw bale thatched roof oratory dedicated to St. Canice in the background. It has 21 beautiful stained glass windows telling the story of the saints of Ireland. The Statue & Windows were all designed by a Community Member, Maurice Harron, an internationaaly renowned sculptor."

August 21, 2009 - "Guernica," Falls Road, Belfast (Northern Ireland). "Gasta.com [a UK search engine] contnues to support community artists in Belfast with a revitalization of the Art forPeace mural of Guernica in the Falls road area of Belfast near Bombay street where the troubles started in 1969. The Mural was painted by Danny Devenny with a host of other artists including Mark Irvine, Robert Ballagh, Doc from Derry & many international visitors. The Mural was unvielled by Gerry Adams & the wife of the late David Irvine [1953-2007], mother of artist Mark. Both Mark & Danny then moved over to Liverpool & painted the famous John Lennon mural project."

Date? - World Mural, Oakman Street, Belfast (Northern Ireland). Image courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey.

Date? - Frederick Douglass mural, Falls Road, Belfast (Northern Ireland). "On the 'Solidarity Wall', subsequently repainted... The 'solidarity wall' features murals mainly dedicated to peoples/revolutionaries inspired by or with connections to Irish Republicanism (such as the Blanketmen, Palestinians, ETA, Frederick Douglass) and is located close to the newly-rebuilt Falls Road Leisure Centre & the Divis area."

Date? - Frederick Douglass mural, Northumberland Street, Belfast (Northern Ireland).

October 2001 - Labor History Mural, near the corner of Sixth & Spring Streets, New Bedford, Massachusetts (USA). "Created by Dan Devenny, noted muralist from Belfast (Northern Ireland).

Date? - Frederick Douglass & Anti-Racism Mural, Northumberland Street, Shankill, Belfast (Northern Ireland). Just past St. Lukes & the peace wall. "This mural, commissioned by Open Hands, shows various anti-racism figures throughout history, headlined by Frederick Douglass. Douglass spent some of his time in Belfast whilst preparing for his return to America after escaping slavery. It is meant to show that every person, regardless of background, should be created equally."

October 24, 2009 - "The 1st Peace Pole in Northern Ireland," between the gates of Northumberland Street, West Belfast (Northern Ireland). "[This is at] one of the peace line gates separating the Shankill & Falls Road areas." At the dedication ceremony, "the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long, made a brief welcome speech. She said that she was pleased to be able to participate in the event, as it represents her work & vision for removing divisions in our society. The Commissioner for Children & Young People, Patricia Lewsley, also spoke compliments." Plaque contains following "'He is our peace who has made the two one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall between us.' - Ephesians 2:14."

May 1, 2010 - Peace Mural, Campus Center Reading Room, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts (USA). By Danny Devenny & Mark Ervine. "Designed to reflect the ideas of UMass students who submitted their thoughts on a blog & through public Skype meetings with the artists over the course of the past year. The main theme of the mural, according to the artists, is to represent diversity & the students of UMass."

May 14, 2010 - Mural, "The New Picket," Liverpool (England). "On my arty travels last night, I came across The Picket which I knew had moved, but not to just off Jamaica Street. I went back today to take a photograph of this marvellous & detailed mural. Painted by Belfast Loyalist Mark Ervine & Republican artist Danny Devenny with the help of local community groups. Characters on the mural include Kitty Wilkinson [1786-1860], champion of the poor who set up wash houses for all in the city, & Irish born Agnes Jones [1832-1868], who made an outstanding contribution to nursing, becoming the first trained Nursing Superintendent at Liverpool's Workhouse Infirmary. Her work for the sick paupers was enormous, but took its toll as she died at the age of just 35 from typhus fever. The mural is a true work of art, which many probably missed last night. I didn't go in but I hope the atmosphere is still the same as the old Picket which was always a welcoming place to debate your politics without fear of recrimination. Long live the Picket." /// "2011 marks 25 years since Pete Townshend officially opened the recording studio at the Merseyside Unemployed Resource Centre, which would later become known as the Picket. The legendary Liverpool venue has been supported by a string of some of Britain’s most famous musicians from Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney & Yoko Ono to Paul Weller, Peter Gabriel & Suggs from Madness."

2010 - "Understand the past -- and build a better future," Belfast (Northern Ireland). "Over the years we have always been able to rely on Danny Devenny to encapsulate what we as a community are trying to say. From the darkest days of struggle through to the onset of peace & the inevitability of unity, Danny has given our communities a voice where others chose to censor us, to discredit us & attempt to criminalise us. Danny’s latest work on the Mount depicts just what we as a community are about & what we wanted to achieve from the series of anniversary events held to mark 40 years since the Battle of Saint Matthews." /// "The Battle of Saint Matthews [on June 27, 1970] was a turning point for the nationalist people of the north; it acted as a catalyst in defiance of the failed Orange State. No longer would intoxicated hoards of shipyard workers or loyalist bandsmen be allowed to attack areas such as ours en-mass, with the willing assistance of the RUC & British Army. Republicans look to that night & the men and women, boys & girls, who took part in it as a symbol of resistance & of progression."

2010 - "Murals of Derry." "New collection of mural images shows that the writing on the walls is really changing. For decades the churlish backdrop of news reports and feature films on the Troubles, Northern Ireland’s murals are now in a period of transition. Increasingly old images of gunmen and paramilitary regalia are being replaced by social messages and celebrations of community pride in many working class neighbourhoods. As a new book, Murals of Derry, published by Guildhall Press shows, nowhere is this change more apparent than on the walls and gable ends of houses in Derry city. This glossy, attractive publication - originally published, in 1995, as Seeing Is Believing - brings together colour photographs of murals from both the past and the present found in the city’s Waterside and Cityside areas."

Septemer 2011 - "RISE" Sculpture, Broadway Roundabout, Belfast (Northern Ireland). £400,000 spherical metal sculpture by Wolfgang Buttress 37.5 metres (123 ft) high & 30 metres (98.4 ft) wide. Visible for miles around the city & the biggest public art sculpture in Belfast. Completed nearly two years behind the original schedule. .According to city website, "symbolises the rising of the sun and new hope for Belfast's future [and] aims to help revitalise Belfast, bringing a new focus to the area snd projecting a vibrant, confident image of the city." Also called "Balls on the Falls/Westicles" though not on Falls Road. Click here for Wikipedia article.

Date? - Mural for International Day of Peace, between the gates of Northumberland Street, West Belfast (Northern Ireland). "At the same site [as the peace pole], we have documented a small plywood mural commemorating Sept. 21 Peace Day." Information courtesy of Prof. Lee A. Smithey.

September 21, 2011 Peace Mural, Northumberland Street, Belfast (Northern Ireland).- "Unveiled yesterday during the International Day of Peace Springboard as part of the Peace Day Campaign events... Situated between the 'peace-line' gates. Measuring an impressive 10ft x 50ft the mural is a mosaic composite of close to 700 images representing peace, conflict & images of the Falls & Shankill communities. Springboard Opportunities Ltd designed the mural in consultation of over 100 young people. Workshops were held with the young people who debated over what peace represents & what words and images reflect this. Their ideas were then incorporated into the mural, which depicts the importance of peace and reaffirms the interdependence of the communities within the Falls and Shankill as the move towards a shared future. The mural was unveiled by broadcaster and Peace Day Ambassador Ivan Little with Sightseeing Belfast kindly providing one of their well known red sightseeing buses for the unique unveil. Jackie Redpath, Chair of Springboard, said, ‘It is particularly meaningful that, on this United Nations International Day of Peace, we are unveiling this mural linking the Shankill and Falls on the very site of some of the very worst rioting that kicked off the 'troubles' in 1969."

October 21, 2011 - "Variations on Themes: The Mural Mapping Project & Conflict Transformation in West Belfast," paper by Lee A. Smithey (Associate Professor of Sociology & Peace & Justice Studies, Swarthmore College) at annual conference, Peace & Justice Studies Association (PJSA), Memphis, Tennessee (USA). Abstract: "In Northern Ireland, the transformation of the symbolic landscape is an important factor in shifting identifications among paramilitary & other community organizations. The Mural Mapping Project uses GIS technology, interviews, participant observation & documentary research to conduct an unprecedented analysis of these often state-funded initiatives in West Belfast. Our paper will present aggregate changes in the thematic contents of murals using data collected in 2009 & 2010. Preliminary findings from the Mural Mapping Project reveal significant levels of activity as new murals are added (primarily in republican areas) or replaced (primarily in loyalist areas). We will detail the most striking trends, such as which themes are replacing one another & which ones co-occur. We will test our hypothesis that, in both communities, political violence is being replaced by a range of communal, historical & popular themes. We theorize that this represents a softening of ethnopolitical identities & constitutes conflict transformation."

2015 - Peace-building and Conflict Resolution Centre (PbCRC), ____ (Northern Ireland). "Maze Peace Building" by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind who designed Berlin’s Jewish Museum "& several other conflict-inspired buildings."

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