“A soldier standing at heaven’s gates/To St. Peter he did tell/I’m here to enter heaven now/I’ve served my time in hell.” 36th (Ulster) Division mural by Dee Craig in The Larches, Carrickfergus.
William O’Higgins fought in the 2nd Northern Division of the IRA, 1916-1922. He died in 1977 and is buried in St Mary’s cemetery, Melmount Road, Strabane.
“Arm Saoırse Náısıúnta na h-Éıreann. [INLA] Vol. James McPhilemy, killed in action 10 August 1988; [INLA] Vol. Alex Patterson killed in action 12 November 1990. ‘Your spirit will live on in the hearts of all who cherish freedom, justice and equality. Fuaır sıad bás ar son saoırse na h-Éıreann.”
“The Ulster Tower is a memorial to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division. It was officially opened on 19th November 1921 by Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson. The tower is located close to the Schwaben Redoubt, a German stronghold at the edge of Thiepval Wood, France, which the Ulster Division attacked at 7.30 am on the 1st July 1916.”
“This mural was dedicated to the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division on 31st July 2010 by the West Belfast Athletic And Cultural Society. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’ – John 15:13”.
The scaffolding is still up in front of the new Stevie McKeag mural in Hopewell Crescent, Belfast. In-progess shot from July: M05746.
“In proud and loving memory [of] Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag, military commander 2nd batt. C coy, West Belfast Brigade [UDA]. Born 01-04-1970, died 24-09-2000.”
Cuchulainn, defender of Northern Ireland: “Here we stand, here we remain: we simply want to take our God-ordained place as indigenous Ulster people, understanding and living out our identity without shame, retaliation, or indignation against those who have caused harm to our past and tried to castrate our culture, our identity and our place on this island.”
“In proud memory of our fallen comrade Joseph Craven, Irish National Liberation Army, murdered by Loyalists 5th December 1983. He died as he lived – a true revolutionary. Erected by the Irish Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Memorial Committee.” Craven was shot by the UVF from a motorcycle.
“‘Many suffer so that some day future generations may live in justice and peace’ – Bobby Sands”, “This plaque is dedicated to the memory of all those from this area who played their part in the struggle for Irish freedom.” With a roll of honour and plaques featuring Joe Cunningham, Martin McKenna, Bobby Sands, Samuel Hughes, Charles McCrystal, Jackie McErlean – the latter three were killed together by a premature bomb explosion.
A “freedom flotilla” of six ships attempted to end the blockade of Gaza but were stopped by Israeli forces, with activists dying in the resulting struggle (WP). New Barnsley Parade, Belfast.