Our Wee Country

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This Lord Street mural celebrates the accomplishments of the Northern Ireland soccer team: British champions in 1914, 1980, and 1984 – the last year the “Home Championship” was held and so the trophy (at left) is held by the IFA; World Cup qualifiers in 1958 (Sweden), 1982 (Spain), and 1986 (Mexico). The original trophy, by Jules Rimet, is shown in the third panel; it was kept by Brazil when it won for a third time in 1970. With sponsorship by the East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society. Replaces J2706 “Magnifico Viva Norn Iron”. The image of the Ulster Banner is from 2009; there is “IRA” graffiti in the top left.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Here We Stand We Can Do No Other

The Orange Order was prevented from marching from Drumcree church (shown in the board) down the Garvaghy Road (in Portadown) by the RUC in the mid- to late-1990s, which the OO claimed impinged upon its “civil and religious liberty” (in the flag). The dispute was notable (among other reasons) for the emergence of Billy Wright (then a member of the UVF). Wright was unhappy with how the dispute was conducted and ultimately he and his unit were stood down (in 1996), and Wright went on to found the LVF.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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