Author: Extramural Activity

Seymour Hill In WWII

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The plaque reads “This mural was dedicated by Col. Robin Charley on 1st July 2009 to the people from this area who contributed to the to the effort during World War II. Also our American allies who were based here and later contributed to the conflict.”

US forces were still segregated racially during WWII; “colored” soldiers (as they were then called) were housed in a camp at Ballybog Road (WW2NI) where Seymour Hill PS now is and just below Seymour Hill House which was used to house evacuees from Belfast after the blitz and which was formerly owned by the Charley family (Lisburn.com | Lord Belmont) – it is now administered by Radius (formerly the BIH Association).

The “framed” portrait on the left is of William “Billy” Harbinson, a member of the Royal Ulster Rifles who was a POW at Colditz (Lisburn.com | WW2NI); the photograph can be seen in the RUR museum.

Painted by Tim McCarthy (“Verz” ig) for the Re-Imaging Programme; it replaces a UDA mural.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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People Of The Colin Area

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The damaged Final Salute mural in Twinbrook is replaced by a memorial to IRA volunteers Gerard Fennell (killed by a British Army sniper in 1974), John Rooney (a week after Fennell), Bobby Sands, and Frankie Ryan (killed by a premature bomb explosion in St Albans). “Always remembered by the people of the Colin area.”

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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The Undauntable Thought

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“Michael Ferguson Sınn Féın MLA 25-10-53–25-9-06. Sean Keenan Sınn Féın 9-5-50–31-7-06. “It lights the dark of this prison cell/it thunders forth its might/it is the undauntable thought, my friend/the thought that says ‘I’m right'” – Bobby Sands”. Keenan was son of Derry republican Seán Keenan.

“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. Óglach Patricia Black 28-11-71–15-11-91. Óglach Frankie Ryan 23-9-66–15-11-91. Beırıgí bua.” The pair died near London when a bomb exploded prematurely.

On Pantridge Road, which runs into Michael Ferguson Roundabout at its eastern end. (See Teeling Family.)

Black and Ryan are also remembered by a plaque in nearby Woodside (M08902).

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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The One Stop Ulster Shop

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Fulfilling all your marching band and Orange Order needs: the One Stop Ulster Shop in its former location half-way down Sandy Row (before becoming Living Tradition and then Sandy Row Marching Band Supplies). The Royal Banner of Scotland is included alongside St Andrew’s Saltire. Bands included along the awning for the shutters are Clydevalley Volunteers Glasgow, Millar Memorial Belfast, Ballynahinch Young Loyalists, MYC Newtownards, Skeogh Flute Band, ? Liverpool, Clydevalley Volunteers Larne, Crumlin Young Loyalists, Steeple Defenders Antrim, Ballee Blues And Royals, Pride of the Shore North Belfast, Ballysillan Volunteers, Pride of Shankill, Somme Volunteers Flute Band, Glenhugh Flute Band Ahoghill, Bridgeton Loyalists, Lower Ards Volunteers, Rising Sons East Belfast, Rising Sons Of The Somme Carrickfergus.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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