IRELAND - STREET ART

Mural paintings in Belfast

The first Belfast mural ever done is loyalist (those loyal to England) and it was painted in Belfast in 1908.

Loyalist murals were part of the tribute festivals of the Battle of the Boyne, July 12, 1690 for Protestants to show that they are loyal to the crown of England.

After 70 years, we see the emergence of new murals to honor the Republicans (who want to be independent) and they use them as a means to express themselves at the time of the terrorist conflicts. The IRA prisoners wanted to be recognized as political prisoners, Republicans began to draw slogans on the walls to support and influence the Irish so that prisoners can be released. But the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher always refused to talk to the prisoners. The Irish independentists hated her, to the point of wanting to hurt her.

Some of the prisoners went on a hunger strike and died. They became martyrs and new murals have put them in the spotlight, just like Bobby Sands for example.

On the walls in the city, depending wether you are in the Catholic district or the Protestant one, you can see paintings of the fight against "Home Rule," the “Battle of the Somme”, the “Drumcree parade” or in favour of the British royal family for the Loyalists

Today, Northern Ireland, which always strives towards independence, feels close to other countries that also have jailed war heroes or people oppressed by an invading neighboring country. They feel particularly close to Palestine. They too have a partition wall and are oppressed.

Dany & Arthur