BSA has arrived in Belfast to attend the Hit the North Festival and hopefully gain a greater appreciation for the role political murals have played here, even as a new generation of painters moves forward from the Troubles of the recent past in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The first encounter with the Bobby Sands mural in Belfast can be a moment of profound connection with the city’s history and the complex evolution it has undergone. As you stand before the gable end of the Sinn Féin Headquarters on Falls Road, your gaze meets the smiling image of Bobby Sands, an iconic figure in the Irish Republican movement. Painted in 1998, this mural encapsulates the spirit of resistance and sacrifice that defines Belfast’s tumultuous past.

Upon our first entry into the city, before even going to the hotel, the well-versed and talented historical guide Billy Scott, takes us to see this memorial to this Belfastian. Born in 1954, Sands was deeply embroiled in the Troubles from a young age, witnessing firsthand the sectarian violence that tore through his community. His journey led him to join the Provisional IRA, and he became a pivotal figure in the Republican struggle.

Phrases adorning the mural—”Everyone A Republican or Otherwise, has their Own Particular Role to Play,” and “Our Revenge Will Be The Laughter Of Our Children”—serve as poignant reminders of ideals for which Sands fought and the enduring legacy he left behind.

The Bobby Sands mural is painted by an artist named Danny Devenny, a well-known muralist in Northern Ireland, recognized for his contributions to the political and cultural landscape of Belfast through his artwork. Additional work by the French street artist Jef Aerosol on the lower right hand section is a continuation of the mural’s narrative, adding layers of artistic interpretation to amplify Sands’ legacy and the broader themes of resistance and remembrance depicted in the mural.

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