Motorman by The Bogside Artists in 2001
Derry / Londonderry, Northern Ireland, February 2025
I saw this striking anti-war mural on the side of a home in Derry earlier this year. It demonstrates the massive impact that Operation Motorman (1972) had on residents, their homes and community.
And, coincidentally, several works by the Bogside Artists (Tom Kelly, William Kelly and Kevin Hasson) currently feature in St Albans Cathedral in the Art, Conflict and Remembering exhibition. Their powerful murals tell the story of the Troubles as experienced by the local community – from the Civil Rights marches of 1968 to the signing of the Peace Agreement in 1998. Do get there if you can or, better still, visit Derry to see them in person.
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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 28 September 2025
Posted as part of One Word Sunday
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Travel with Intent 
Just can’t imagine what it was like for the residents
. . . . and to some degree the soldiers. Robert was stationed for a while in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. Once when we arrived after a break he was stuck at the airport for hours. There was no transport to meet him on arrival – some communication error – and he had to remain inside the airport until it did turn up. Too dangerous for a British soldier to be out in public on their own.
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I always thought the journey into the city was scary just as a member of public.
I don’t know when you were last there but it’s well worth going back. Such a friendly place. Some of the walls are still up but the communities are working hard to get to a point where they can come down. Or at least stay open.
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I’ve never been – something Robert and I always talked about but never actually got our act together. I will have to go
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The murals are wonderful and well worth a detour for anyone planning a trip to Ireland…
Here’s mine – from the other side of the island!!!
https://hopsskipsandjumps.com/2025/09/28/home/
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A good depiction of home – great idea 🙂
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Great art, it creates a great collection and powerful message ‘Peace’ Sadly I am not sure we live in a peaceful world. Now here is my link to a different Home :- https://davidoakes-images.com/2025/09/28/ows-one-word-sunday-challenge-home/
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Sadly and scarily, we aren’t. So many people seem to make bitterness and hatred their top priority.
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Powerful Images. I’ll try to get along and see them. Here is my OWS Post Home. https://carylbeach.art/2025/09/28/home/
Have a peaceful Sunday.
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Yes, well worth a visit. If you have time, do let me know and I’ll meet you for a coffee.
Have a restful day 🙂
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From troubled times. Here’s a happier one:https://suejudd.com/2025/09/28/home/
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Yes, a very happy one – thanks, Sue
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Home is such a multi-faceted concept. Working with mostly refugees it is something that comes up often even if the student’s cannot really express their feelings in German (yet). It doesn’t have to be one place, it doesn’t have to be a place at all. Either way – protect it. It’s worth it.
https://picturesimperfectblog.com/2025/09/28/it-doesnt-have-to-be-a-place/
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Yes, it’s one of the hardest words to define. We use it so much and it seems obvious until you dive in. And is often tied very closely to language.
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In German we make a difference between “zu Hause” (that’s my living quarters) and “Heimat” (that’s normally the area/region where I come from but can also be used in a more encompassing manner).
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A thought provoking post. Mine isn’t: https://margaret21.com/2025/09/28/home-sweet-home/
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I hadn’t intended to be that thought-provoking, but this exhibition opened this week and prompted much thought.
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I’m sure.
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Looks like a great setting for the exhibition, Debs xx
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Yes. The cathedral puts on some very interesting talks and exhibitions. And some stunning light events too. The giant moon was a big success this year, and I’ve just heard that we have some sperm whales arriving for the New Year!
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Fantastic! Save one for me xx
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Excellent!
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Yes, really powerful work
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Looks like a good exhibition Debbie. Some great street art.
I took the prompt literally
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Yes, really powerful work
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A lot of work has gone into the street art in Northern Ireland. Much of the bitter and anger-provoking pieces have been removed and replaced with works like these, that remind and educate.
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I do remember seeing some of the other street art from back then. It did have a look of menace
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Yes, it was very political and military
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Those were the bad old days. Great mural.
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And so much worse than I realised until I visited.
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They were pretty grim.
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So powerful
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Indeed.
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