While cruising the British Isles in 2017, Belfast fascinated me. In my past post about Belfast, I opened the post with the following: Belfast, Northern Ireland is beautiful, interesting, and gut-wrenching – and we were only there for a part of one day. On one end is the natural beauty, architecture, vibrancy, and history – and the other end The Troubles – what the locals call the Northern Ireland Conflict (1968-1998).”
Belfast, Northern Ireland has a history of conflict – especially in the past one hundred years. Many of us remember the conflict from fierce conflict that raged their land from the 1960s well into the 1990s – a conflict centered around politics and religion. Today, Belfast is a beautiful city. Yet, visitors who have a sense of history about The Troubles carry a strange and troubling feeling during their entire stay.
The Peace Wall that separates sectors of the city is anything but peaceful, while its stories feel like a punch in the gut. Beautiful murals are found throughout the city – but many are dedicated to the heroes of one side or the other. Others make political statements, and other commemorate battles or events.
I wanted to feature the murals, but do so got lost in the shuffle. So, I stumbled across what I do have when cleaning out the blog closet. Besides, Belfast’s murals would fascinate Resa.
The first is a different collection – especially when seeing their location (the last pic).
Commercial Court is located in the part of the city known as the Cathedral Quarter. It’s a courtyard loaded with murals that included famous people. Enjoy the collection. Recognize anyone?
Unfortunately, I didn’t capture many of the murals I saw around the city. For more information about Belfast’s murals, see the links below the video. They are fascinating, and not very subtle.
More Information
A Frank Angle 
Those murals are so moving. I remember them well.
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Cindy,
Because you’ve been to Belfast, you know that I’ve shown little and not much variety. (Therefore the importance of visiting the links I provided). Thanks for reinforcing my point. 🙂
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Amazing city isn’t it – and wow those murals!! I never made it to Belfast – it was a pretty dangerous place in the years when I was living in the UK.
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Pauline,
It’s a very beautiful city today … and very visible … but I wonder how much turmoil is simmering beneath its shine. Doesn’t seem that long ago we saw the horrifying images of The Troubles.
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Great read, Frank!
X
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Fiery,
Thank you. Just your location, how you been to Belfast?
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No never! I want to and I would love to go to Scotland too. I will do I hope
X
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Such interesting murals–thanks, Frank! You know I’m a fan of murals, too.
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Merril,
I think you history side would love many of the murals I haven’t shown (seen on the links).
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Brilliant murals!!!!!!! […where’s Resa?!!!!!!] Yamas! 🙂
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Marina,
The Belfast murals are unique. No Resa yet – but I’m confident she’ll be here. 🙂
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🙂 😉😀👍
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I recognized Liam, and a few others . . . borderline without name recognition.
I love the fish and I love the building mural with all the faces peering out.
And The Troubles . . . I shudder at how conflict seems to have staying power like that, leaving scars.
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Marc,
Liam it is. Probably recognize Gillian Anderson (X-Files), but I think that section is based on the series The Fall. I think Bono is up there, too. Yes – conflict with staying power is not a good thing …. so I wonder more about WHEN more than IF it reveals its ugly head again.
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I did! But I didn’t think that was her.
It’s always a matter of when, sadly.
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Thanks for sharing, Frank. Beautiful murals in a place with a sad history.
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John,
Definitely a beautiful city with a sad history. So much turmoil. I wish I would have captured many more murals.
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Such amazing images-thanks so much for sharing with us. It will be interesting to see how Brexit impacts this country.
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Monika,
The Brexit thing will be interesting. It’s part of the UK but I think the people want an open border with Ireland – but I may be incorrect. Time will tell.
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Propaganda murals – they are bold in Belfast!
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Jo,
Saying propaganda murals are bold in Belfast actually feels like an understatement. 😉
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Public art is always so special, especially when it carries messages from and to locals about history and life. Thanks for sharing.
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Patti,
Yes, public art has much to say. Many Cincinnati murals have a local connection (throughout history) to the people featured in the mural. The Belfast murals also deliver a message.
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When I think of The Troubles I always recall how much interest I had throughout those decades because I had one good friend who was completely caught up in the politics of the region and wanted to talk to me about them–lecture me, really. I tried to keep up but had a hard time following events that seemed so complex. I think being there as a visitor today would be very interesting. And I loved the murals. Art is such a powerful way to tell a story and leave us asking more questions, which adds to our learning. I’m sure this was a wonderful trip, Frank.
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Debra,
Wow … interesting personal history link to Belfast. Seems you need to go to complete the journey! 🙂 … but I think you would love the city. It’s a place that is drawing me back.
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The Belfast murals have an important place. They are social/art/political, and I truly enjoy and appreciate them.
Will reblog this on GLAM in a few days!
Thank you!!!
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Resa,
The murals of Belfast are the most social/political I’ve seen anywhere … and so many of them! (I’m sure you visited the links I provided). Truly unique!!! Thanks for reblogging the post. I couldn’t make it over as we were on the road this past weekend.
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😀
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Reblogged this on Graffiti Lux Art & More and commented:
Thank you to Frank, for sharing these murals from Belfast! I’ll be closing comments shortly, so head over to his blog with your thoughts!
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This is a beautiful and poignant article Frank. I’ve never been to Belfast but I had a young friend from there attending university. He wrote about the difficult life there. I enjoyed sharing your visit there.
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Holly,
Glad you enjoyed these and they rekindled a memory of a college friend. It’s such a unique place to visit, especially if one has a guide that tells stories about The Troubles. … plus Belfast is a beautiful city!
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A city of turmoil seems to be coming to terms with its varying factions. Hope to visit someday.
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I imagine its still simmering … hopefully it continues to make progress one step at a time.
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Yes, simmering indeed. Thank you Frank.
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The murals are fascinating. Thank you for sharing them.
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Drew,
Thank you … and if you ever get the chance to visit this fascinating city, GO!!!!
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Brilliant to see these murals. I’ve yet to visit Northern Island having visted the Republic numerous times. Would love to see some of the art in the real. I got the chills when I saw the art piece you showed based on TV series ‘The Fall’, as I started watched that fairly recently and found it dark, creepy and menacing – the art piece kind of sums up season 1 nicely.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Vintage,
Welcome first-time commenter! How did you find my little corner of the world?
Horray – I think you are the first to refer to The Fall. My wife watched it, so I was my share of them. Belfast was fascinating and eerie at the same time. If you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful city, do so! Make sure you get a tour with a guide because The Troubles need personalization. Our guide told us about a tour along the Peace Wall that sounds fascinating and gut-wrenching, but we didn’t get a chance to take it. Hope you make it there!
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Hey, thanks for the welcome. I found your article via Resa’s link to it on her blog covering art and grafitti.
Yes, would love to visit N. Ireland for sure. Another show I watched recently was season 1 and 2 of Derry Girls – an excellent comedy set in Derry. It was brilliant in that it only depicted the troubles as background in favour of showing the personal lives and intrigues of the cast.
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Thanks for the background. Resa is a long-time fav here. Wonderful lady. I’ve done a series on Cincinnati murals. Here’s the Category link (if interested). Most recent is first. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/category/ohio/cincinnati/murals/
Belfast was fascinating, but didn’t visit anywhere else in Northern Ireland. (We were cruising). Thanks for sharing the show!
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Interesting stuff.
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Betsy,
Oh yes, Belfast is very interesting. You are comparably a youngster to me so I must ask – do you recall Belfast being in the news because of the bombing and fighting?
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I was aware of all that, yes, though in a general sense.
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