Thank you visiting the Peter Moloney Collection – Murals. (See the About page for other parts of Peter’s collection of ephemera.) Use the search tools in the side-bar on the right to access images from specific dates or categories, or simply keep scrolling.
Shankill Boys
The “Shankill Boys” were the roughly 700 men of the West Belfast battalion of the Ulster Volunteers who were almost all killed at the Somme. (This board – or a previous copy of it – was previously in Carnan St.)
As with all of the Belfast battalions, West Belfast had a “USSF” [Ulster Special Service Force] – its emblem is in the top left of the second board, below. (See previously USSF and Shankill Protestant Boys.) The other emblem is that of the ‘Greengairs Thistle Flute Band’. Although the background comes from WWI, the roll of honour lists modern-day volunteers from the UVF. Thomas Chapman, James McGregor, Robert McIntyre, William Hannah, and Robert Wadsworth are portrayed in Carnan Street – see C. Coy Street. The modern-day C Company, formed in 1974, is named after the Four Step Inn, which was bombed in September 1971 (see Four Step).
Sugarfield Street, west Belfast, adjacent to the Vanguard Bears board and a poppy cross.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Locals From The Greater Shankill Area
“This poppy cross stands as a memorial to those locals from the Greater Shankill area who lost their lives at the hands of merciless Irish republican murder gangs. Erected by vanguardbears.co.uk” For a mural commemorating bombings on the Shankill, see Shankill Atrocities.
This cross has been mounted on the corner of Sugarfield Street and the Shankill Road, adjacent to the Vanguard Bears board.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Stirling And District Campsie Club
The first panel features the cannon “Roaring Meg” (“presented by the Fishmongers Company of London 1642″) which is used as the seal for the club, and includes the club’s flag, the key to the gates, and the emblem and coat of arms of the Apprentice Boys.
“Formed on the 2nd May 1987 we have been at the forefront of loyalist culture in our area since then and were the first club in Scotland to have a Battle of the Somme Commemoration Parade. Since our inauguration we have formed many friendships with our brethren and bands from the province many of which are still active today. For many years the club has participated with Belfast Campsie Club at the closing of the gates parade in December. We have through the years had great affinity with the many bands from Belfast some who are unfortunately no longer with us. The club would like to thank the people of Belfast for their support and friendship through the years and to the people of the Shankill for giving us the privilege of this murals. / No surrender. / The Campsie Club is the only Apprentice Boys Club to be named after one of the “Brave 13″. It is persumed [presumed] that Henry Campsie was the first man to shed blood in the Defence of Londonderry. Campsie was the inspiration behind the Shutting of the Gates and was severely wounded whilst leading his associates to secure the City Magazine and armoury. The emblem of the Roaring Meg was adopted as the Seal of the new club.”
The middle panel celebrates the Stirling Protestant Boys Flute Band and its association with the Shankill Road: “Stirling Protestant Boys Flute Band [Fb] were formed in February 2003 and to this day take part in parades across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. The band has a great connection with our friends from Belfast, especially those from the Greater Shankill area. In November 2012 Stirling Protestant Boys were presented with the battle honours of the Young Citizen Volunteers and the 36th (Ulster) Division. The band would like to thank the people of the Shankill Road for their continued support.”
The third contains a long description of the Shutting Of The Gates in December 1688 and the Siege Of Derry, which was ended with the breaking of the boom across the river Foyle in July 1689.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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The Cause Of Irish Freedom
“1916 – 2016. We salute the memory of all those who have given their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.” This is an extension by the RNU (web), on the centenary of the Easter Rising, to the large tarp seen in Ardoyne’s Fallen Fıanna. The plaque was recorded in 2011.
Berwick Road, Ardoyne, north Belfast
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Free Tony Taylor
Derry republican and RNU (web) spokesperson Tony Taylor was released under the conditions of the Good Friday agreement. He was jailed for three years in 2011 for possession of a rifle. His license was revoked in March (2016) and he was returned to prison on the grounds that he poses a danger to the public. Both RNU/Cogús and Sınn Féın have called for his release. (Irish News)
Berwick Road, Ardoyne, north Belfast
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Na Fıanna Éıreann
Here is a Na Fıanna Éıreann mural in Ardoyne with Easter lilies on each side of the Fıanna’s ‘sunburst’ (gal gréıne) emblem (which also includes a pike or bill).
For a history of sunburst flags, with lots of images, see An Sıonnach Fıonn. A banner sporting an early version of the emblem, owned by Countess Markievicz during the Rising, was recently returned from London to Dublin (Irish Times).
Like the name “Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann”, “Na Fıanna Éıreann” has been used by many organisations for their youth division; this one is associated with the RNU (web).
Berwick Road, Ardoyne, across the street from Ardoyne’s Fallen Fıanna.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Community
Sinn Féın have been over-run by money and lost touch with the community, according to this Ardoyne banner: a boot arrayed with Euro and Sterling signs tramples on the Sinn Féın symbol. “Say No to budget cuts! Say No to welfare reform! Community.”
Replaces: Resistance in Ardoyne Avenue, north Belfast
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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In Commemoration Of Easter 1916
“In commemoration of Easter 1916 – 2016. Ardoyne – Bone – Ligoniel. Unbowed – unbroken.”
Tom Clarke is at the head of his fellow signatories as he looks down over a printed tarp reproducing photographs of events surrounding the Easter Rising of 1916, including soldiers from the Irish Citizen Army on a rooftop (see the original in this Spectator article) and members of Cumann Na mBan on parade. For the photo of the building in the top left, see this Irish Times article.
The previous Ardoyne – Bone – Ligoniel mural fell down almost as soon as it was completed, leaving only the boards with portraits of locals killed during the troubles. The stone and plaque (in the final images) go back to the mural before that.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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[M13059] [M13060] [M13061] [M13062] [M13063] M13064] [M13065] [M13066]
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M13070 [M13071] [M13072] [M13073]
For Valour
This WWI Victoria Cross mural was launched in December, 2014 (NI World), replacing Fight To A Finish. The soldier doesn’t appear to be anyone in particular; the only VC winner from Ballymena was from the Boer War (VC Online).
There are three plaques on the sides, added at various times over the years. On the right, two to James Aberdeen: “In loving memory of our brother Jimmy Aberdeen 28th Aug 1965 – 20th Nov 1995. Forever in our thoughts.” “In memory of James Aberdeen from the members of the Young Loyalist F.B. Pollok, Glasgow. Always remembered.” And on the left: “In loving memory of Charles Robertson 17/07/56 to 25/06/07. A father, grandfather a brother and loyal friend to all hands across the water.”
Drumtara, Ballymena
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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The Lion Wears The Crown
This Ballee Flute Band mural (formerly for the Ballee Blues And Royals) shows the ‘lion and the unicorn’ from the UK coat of arms. The lion (England) wears a crown but the unicorn (Scotland) does not, since, as the nursery rhyme has it, “the lion beat the unicorn all around the town” (WP).
However, in place of the Royal Standard’s crest and “honi soit qui mal y pense” and “Dieu et mon droit” inscriptions, we find the Bible, “Drumtara”, and “In God we trust”.
Behind are the Union Flag and the flags of the Apprentice Boys and the Orange Order.
Ballee Way, Ballymena
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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