Like many cities in Northern Ireland, Belfast boasts famous murals, painted on numerous houses in both Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. In their own way, these painted walls bear witness to the town’s troubled past, illustrating the centuries-old conflict between Catholics and Protestants that still rages today… If you’re interested in Belfast’s history, don’t miss the city’s murals, which represent the historical and cultural heritage of an entire city!
The first mural appeared in Northern Ireland in 1908, on Beersbridge in Belfast. It depicts the victory of William III of England over James II at the Battle of the Boyne. William III appears on a white horse, looking proud and victorious. This wall was painted by members of the Orangemen Order (Protestants), who wished to humiliate and remind Catholics of their crushing defeat at the Battle of the Boyne.
The Catholics soon responded by painting frescoes on their houses to mark their fight against the Protestants…
In 1960, Northern Ireland experienced a period known modestly as “The Troubles”. This period actually refers to over 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland, resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 civilian men, women and children.
As the violence escalates, the murals become more radical, and many paramilitary troops don’t hesitate to depict themselves on the walls, to intimidate the other side…
The walls of Belfast are adorned with paintings of the IRA (Catholics) and the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) (Protestants). Paintings advocate war in the name of establishing lasting peace in the future… They depict armed men, battles, or simply the cultural symbols of each side.
In the 80s, Northern Irish wrestling saw the emergence of new heroes. Among them was the famous IRA member Bobby Sands, who organized a hunger strike while imprisoned in the H-blocks of Maze prison.
Her fast was a means of protest against Margaret Tatcher’s actions, and of putting pressure on the British government. Unfortunately for him, England ignored his request, and he died after 60 days of painful fasting. Frescoes multiplied in his honor… including on the walls of Belfast.
1990 marks the tercentenary of the Battle of the Boyne and the proliferation of frescoes in Belfast. Although some no longer exist or have suffered damage, it is estimated that around 1,400 frescoes have been painted since 1996, including all sides of the conflict, between the cities of Belfast and Derry.
These Belfast walls soon became famous the world over, and Northern Irish pictorial art began to be exported. Similar walls can be seen in the United States and Europe… Since then, a number of associations and groups have come together to protect the frescoes. Some have been restored, while other blank walls are covered with other paintings from the town’s history…
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