Drawing Support : Murals in the North of Ireland

This is the first of the world-renowned Drawing Support books by sociologist Professor Bill Rolston, first published in 1992. Each of the books is an important and unique historical record of imagery relating to conflict and peace.

Like them or loathe them, they cannot be ignored. The political wall murals of the North of Ireland are an integral part of loyalist and republican communities. In its murals each group displays its hopes and fears, struggles and aspirations. Sometimes the murals are long-lived, more often their existence is fleeting. This unique collection of photographs captures a large section of the murals in their original colour and grandeur. It provides a revealing glimpse into the ideologies of the communities which produce this lively political art.

Contents

Introductory essay:

Loyalist murals; republican murals; sources themes and process; the murals of Mo Chara; conflict and propaganda.

Loyalist murals:

King Billy; Loyalist flags; Red Hand of Ulster; Historical events; Military images; Humorous and miscellaneous.

Republican murals:

Hunger strike; Military images; Elections; Historical and mythological; Repression and resistance; Prison; International.

Mo Chara/Gerard Kelly:

12 pages of text, 60 pages of photographs (112 plates)

Like them or loathe them, they cannot be ignored. The political wall murals of the North of Ireland are an integral part of loyalist and republican communities. In its murals each group displays its hopes and fears, struggles and aspirations. Sometimes the murals are long-lived, more often their existence is fleeting. This unique collection of photographs captures a large selection of the murals in their original colour and grandeur. It provides a revealing glimpse into the ideologies of the communities which produce this lively political art.