Belfast’s Other Murals
Wednesday, 25th November 2009 by Noel Ballantyne
Belfast is well known for its many murals representing differing political and religious views of the city's communities.
However in recent years, thanks to the Good Friday Agreement, there has been a move away from the political murals to more community-based murals, and in this post we shall deal with murals relating to sport; industrial heritage; and the arts within the city.
Sports
There are many sporting heroes of Belfast, probably the most popular of all being George Best: without doubt Northern Ireland's greatest football player.
There are many other murals to the NI international football team, including one in honour to a famous victory over England.
There are also murals to local football clubs Glentoran FC and Linfield FC.
Gaelic games are more favoured in Nationalist areas, with murals to Ard Eoin Kickhams GAA club and to Liam McCarthy.
There are 2 murals to other local sporting heroes, Snooker player Alex Higgins and Kickboxer Gary Hamilton.
INDUSTRY
Belfast is also very well known for its industrial past. RMS Titanic was constructed in the Harland and Wolff dockyards.
Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry (earning the nickname "Linenopolis") and Short Brothers (now Bombardier) also manufacture aircraft in the city.
ARTS
CS Lewis, author of the Narnia books, was born in Belfast in 1898 and like any son of Belfast he also has a mural or two. There is also a mural to traditional Irish music and a nod to Picasso's Guernica.
And, to finish off, there is always someone with a sense of humour: "Santa is a British Agent" and "TV Licence Men Beware".
There are many more murals, visit murals of Belfast to find some of them.
About the author
Noel is from Sligo, NW Ireland. He is a very active member of the GE BBS forums, and likes to travel, especially to concerts when band’s tours do not visit Ireland. I can contacted on twitter @noelballantyne
A coincidence doubtless planned: the day this was posted, 25 November, is the 4th anniversary of George Best’s death.
Truly a coincidence, but now I shall take all credit.
You missed out my favourite!
View Placemark,,1,-9.66
@ GC thats class and there are many others along that street that i missed
Congratulations Noel, with a record breaking 24, this is now the reigning champion for “most thumbnails in a GSS post ever”!
Is that a challenge, Alex?
Looks worse than some graffiti I’ve seen.
Everyone is a critic and has the right to criticize.
In my opinion the murals highlighted are by far a lot better than the paramilitary murals that once used to ordain these walls. Now the communities are taking over and hopefully there will be no return to the horrible past.
And a splash of colour is better than a blank gable wall.
Couldn’t agree more Noel, I think these are excellent, and a huge improvement over “traditional” murals in Belfast.
@Don H. – these are part of Belfast’s culture and heritage, and I’m glad the people are taking back what’s theirs!