We Are The Pilgrims, Master

“We are the pilgrims, master; we shall go always a little further.” Three hooded gunmen from East Belfast UVF . The line comes from a 1913 poem by James Flecker. This mural was painted at the same time as the ‘self-defense’ mural across the street, and together they can be taken as a good marker of the beginning of re-re-imaging, (that is, of new PUL ‘hooded gunmen’ murals) – see Visual History 11. The design is a popular one: it was used for murals in Mersey Street, in Tamar Street and on the Newtownards Road prior to re-imaging. Painted by Dee Craig.

Newtownards Road, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Banbridge Battalions

The connections between the 36th (Ulster) Division and the Ulster Volunteers are commemorated in Seapatrick: on the left is the YCV shamrock – the 14th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles was the YCV battalion; on the right, with the digits “1912” is the West Down regiment, 1st battalion (Banbridge) of the Ulster Volunteers, but we also have the years “1914 – 1918” – in September 1914 men from Banbridge (presumably including Seapatrick) joined D Company of 13th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down Volunteers) and part of the 108th Brigade of the 36th Ulster Division) (Bygone Days).

Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick (near Banbridge), Co Down

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Loyalist Seapatrick

The Ulster Banner and Union Flag serve as bookends for two additional boards: “Still loud, still proud – No surrender” (presumably Seapatrick Flute Band) and the insignia of the 36th (Ulster) Division.

Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick (near Banbridge), Co Down

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Local Homes For Local Families

“Local homes for local families – BNP – We support Ann Cooper.” Where “local” is not about geography but ethnicity. Ann Cooper stood (unsuccessfully) in Castlereagh East (in east Belfast) for the British National Party (BBC); the graffiti shown is in Fortuna Street, south Belfast. For another piece of the graffitist’s handiwork, see Slugger.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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UDA South-East Antrim Brigade

The small plaque in the alcove behind the Eastway club is replaced by a much more substantial stone: “South-East Antrim Brigade. This memorial is dedicated to the memory of the officers and members of our organisation who were murdered by the enemies of Ulster and to those who paid the supreme sacrifice whilst on active service during the present conflict. Quis separabit. ‘They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old/Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn/At the going down of the sun and in the morning/We will remember them’.”

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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