YMCA

Thursday 11 October 2018

CONFLICT ART

Yesterday with the warm weather we took the opportunity to go into the city to look at some of the art and graffiti that has come from the conflict. It was interesting to see that all of the professionally painted murals have been there a long time and represented historical events however the more vandalism type of graffiti seems to be more recent and seems quite sectarian. We looked at photos from similar areas from the 80's and saw that the same things were being painted on walls then but why are some people still doing this now despite 20 years of peace? 
 This wall is in the Fountain which is the only Protestant estate on the west bank of the city. The message highlights their frustration that the area is still attacked.
 Sectarian Graffiti in the Fountain estate. 
 Painted curbs in the Fountain.
 Poppy Mural on the wall of the Fountain Community centre. A lot of the murals around the centre are dedicated to the First world war.
 UDA mural on the wall of the Cathedral Youth Club.
 West Bank Loyalists. 

 Security Fences in the Fountain to protect houses from attack.
 This sign is in the covered entrance to the Fountain, the gates get locked at night to prevent attacks.
 Free Derry corner is now used as a place were many social issues are highlighted.
 Mural showing a scene from the battle of the bogside, also a hezbollah sign.

 Pillars of society???
 Around the Bogside we saw lots of anti police graffiti.
 Another battle of the bogside mural which also has a memorial to a young person who was accidently killed by a bomb
 Breaking down the walls?

Thursday 4 October 2018

OUR CITY


 This week we were out and about around the city learning about the history and planning for an upcoming project we are going to be doing with the MPower group from Carrickfergus. It will involve us giving them a guided tour of Derry/Londonderry so we thought we had better brush up on our knowledge. Here are a few photos from our walk around the walls and some of the places we'll be visiting. 
 St Columbs Cathederal
 The Guidhall
 A cannon on Coward's Bastion
The Great Hall in the Guildhall