Northern Ireland has long been known for its towering murals on public walls but instead of art about conflict, communities have now united to honor the front-line health workers battling COVID-19. 

For many decades Belfast, Northern Ireland's capital, has been divided between communities that favour continued British rule and others wanting a united Ireland. 

But now they have been brought together to oppose a common enemy – COVID-19.

Dominic Bryan, an anthropology lecturer at Queen's University in Belfast, said: "We already are having these ritualistic moments when we're coming out and we're clapping in support of NHS [National Health Service] workers." 

"Belfast as a city is a divided city. The murals can be used both to give that political community a sense of cohesion, but also to mark space," added Bryan. 

In Portadown, County Armagh, a stack of wooden pallets has been used to spell out a tribute to NHS workers, while blue – the color of the NHS – fills the walls in West Belfast. 

The now 100-year-old Captain Tom Moore, who has raised more than $37 million for the NHS, is also honored in a mural in East Belfast, accompanied by the words "Thank you NHS."

More than 400 people have died from COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, a tragedy that has united these traditionally divided communities in a common goal – to beat the coronavirus.