Wall Murals in Derry / Londonderry

Very large versions of the following photos are available for sale. All pictures were taken with a nikon digital SLR camera. They will be expertly printed, poster-sized and be a massive 18inches x 12 inches. The small pictures below, obviously do not do justice to the large photos. Each photograph is printed on proper photo paper and is approximately 3008 x 2000 pixels. Photos will be delivered carefully rolled, in a securely sealed hard cardboard postal tube from the UK / Ireland printer. The text that follows each small picture below describes a little bit of context about each mural.

This is one of a group of 12 huge murals painted by the Bogside Artists in Derry. The public gallery graphically depicts the recent history of the city, during the violent years of the troubles, when murder and destruction was commonplace in the area. The images serve as a reminder of the dark days of the recent past. This mural, taken from a 1970s photograph, features a masked youth armed with a petrol bomb, as homes burn, against a backdrop of RUC men looking at a block of flats.

The young girl in the mural is Annette McGavigan who was 14 years when she was killed near this site in 1971. She was shot dead by a British soldier while standing on the street in which she lived. For me this mural comes close to adequately portraying the tragedy of violence throughout the world. The innocent on all sides always bear the brunt, in any conflict. The mural is rich in symbolism and also features a broken rifle, a cross, and a beautiful butterfly emerging from a wrecked building

Another common scene from 1970s Derry. Recreational riots were regular events in parts of Derry and Belfast during the period. The entertainment inevitably led to death and serious injury among all participants though. In this piece a youth armed with a rock takes protection behind a flimsy barricade, eyeballing an armoured vehicle, as smoke billows in the distance.

The gaunt face of IRA hunger striker Ray McCartney stares out from a Bogside wall. McCartney spent 53 days on a death fast along with many others in Belfast's Maze prison in 1980. The red background symbolises the shape of the H block prison wings were the prisoners were held. Both he and the female Republican, held at Armagh gaol are wrapped in blankets, due to a refusal to wear prison uniforms. Prior to these protests Republican prisoners also refused to wash or work.

Mural commemorating the murders of Bloody Sunday. The famous scene, taken from TV reports of the time shows a group of men carrying the body of Jackie Duddy as a British soldier looks on. In the foreground a blood stained civil-rights banner lays trampled on the ground. Fourteen men were killed when soldiers opened fire on a civil-rights rally and march in the area.

INLA member Micky Devine, is remembered in this mural in Shantallow. Devine, from Derry, died on hunger strike in 1981. The mural also features traditional republican symbols such as the starry plough and a prison watchtower, and a socialist red star.

A vision for the future. This peace mural sends out a postitive message following from the years of hatred and bitterness. The colours are vibrant and the image of the bird flying up into the sky speaks of freedom. The adjoning oak leaf symbol has often been used by Nationalists in past days

Across the city in Derry's Waterside, Loyalists have their own unique murals. This one celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Ulster Worker's Council strike in May 1974. Loyalist groups opposed to power sharing arrangements, brought Northern Ireland almost to a standstill in a widespread strike. The picture shows celebrations, as Direct Rule from Westminster is re-established by the British government.

Billy McFadzean, icon of modern Loyalists. McFadzean, born in Northern Ireland, fought in the First World War with the Royal Irish Rifles. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery when he sacrificed his own life, to save his fellow countrymen, by diving onto bombs which were about to explode in a trench in 1916 in Thiepval, France. Also featured are the emblems of the 36th Ulster Division and the Ulster Volunteer Force.