“C Coy lost volunteers,” “In memory of the volunteers who made the supreme sacrifice” and “In memory of all loyalists who gave their lives – lest we forget.” Red Hand Commando mural and plaques in Hunt Street, just off the Newtownards Road, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
[M02327] M02328 M02329 M02330 M02331
Vintage RHC [Red Hand Commando] stencil on Newtownards Road calling for the release of loyalist prisoners.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02326
The 36th Division East Belfast regimental flag and the flag of the YCV, rather than of the Ulster Volunteers, flank a modified crest of the Division – the letters “EBPB” have replaced a harp and crown. “Our message is simple: Where our music is welcome we will play it loud; where our music is challenged we will play it louder.” “In memory of John Boyd Richard Cowan Steven Hamill. Always remembers by East Belfast Protestant Boys FB.” (Fb | tw)
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
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“UFF formed 1973.” Two hooded gunmen kneel on a free-floating Northern Ireland. Avoniel Road, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02322
UDA/UFF/UYM insignia in Lord Street, Belfast. “Quis Separabit”, “Terrae Filius”.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02320
Sinn Féin councillor Joe O’Donnell (elected in the Pottinger district in 2001) became deputy mayor of Belfast City Council in 2004 (An Phoblacht article). He is lampooned in loyalist Cluan Place, Belfast, as “Deputy Dog [Deputy Dawg]”. See also: NVTv interview with O’Donnell.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02290
This entry features the final (side) wall to the right of the series of murals in Thorndyke Street. (For a list of entries for each panel, see East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society.) The various small panels thank a number of agencies, leading with the Ulster Scots Agency, and claim a copyright over the murals – which is something unusual with public art. There is also a verse from Romans (10v13) and Canadian physician John McCrae’s (1872-1918) poem In Flanders’ Fields:
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row/That mark our place; and in the sky/The larks, still bravely singing, fly/Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago/We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,/Loved and were loved, and now we lie/In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:/To you from failing hands we throw/The torch; be yours to hold it high./If ye break faith with us who die/We shall not sleep/Though poppies grow/In Flanders fields.”
With the emblems of Ballymacarrett LOL N0.6, Ballymacarrett Royal Black No. 4, the East Belfast Concerned Womens Group, and a grid of Commonwealth countries’ flags.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02312 M02318 M02317 M02316 M02315 M02313 M02314
“Britannia is a female figure, usually but not always seated, wearing a helmet, and carrying a shield and trident, who is intended to be the personification of Britain. The Britannia with which we are familiar has evolved since the 17th century. Britannia axquired her trident in 1797 to symbolise British naval superiority. The panel depicts the United Kingdom and her allies fighting for freedom and democracy. The panel also highlights the composition of the Union flag, made up of. Cross of St George. Saltire of St Andrew. Cross of St Patrick. Other examples of the usage of the Cross of St Patrick include, the arms of the Queen’s University of Belfast.”
One of fourteen panels in Thorndyke Street, east Belfast. For a list of entries for each panel, see East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02311 M03625
“In Belfast, as elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Unionist and Nationalist communities live cheek by jowl. The areas where Unionist and Nationalist areas meet are invariably described as ‘interfaces’. Cluan Place was and remains a small isolated Unionist community, consisting of 25 houses, adjoining the republican Short Strand. Republicans targeted the area in the early summer of 2002 with the purpose of driving the small Protestant community from the area. Similar attacks were made on other vulnerable Protestant areas such as Tigers Bay and White City. PIRA’s tactics followed a long and well-established pattern. First, they heightened tension, secondly, they offered dialogue, ostensibly to ease the tension, but the offer was manifestly insincere. In practice, the offer of dialogue was made to make republicans look good in the eyes of the media. Thirdly, republicans mounted their vicious sectarian attacks and then withdrew proceeding to choreograph media coverage of events – pushing forward the spin that it was their area under attack. In this case Short Strand. Meanwhile the small and beleaguered Unionist community was still reeling from the violent attack. Annie Blair was one of those residents in Cluan Place who refused to surrender to republican aggression. Her example inspired others in the small community and Cluan Place to this day remains part of our community”. See also: Welcome To Loyalist Cluan Place.
One of fourteen panels in Thorndyke Street, east Belfast. For a list of entries for each panel, see East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society.
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Copyright © 2005, 2007 Peter Moloney
M02310 M03626 [M08000]
“Since this phase of the troubles began there has been a continued drop of concessions to placate the Pan Nationalist Front, which consists of the Irish government, PIRA and the SDLP. Some of these concessions have been to disband parts of the security infrastructure e.g. the Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) and the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). Both organisations for a variety of reasons including republican intimidation included a high proportion of the Unionist population. Both stood up to the onslaught from PIRA and were successful in preventing death and destruction as well as guarding our border against sectarian republican incursions. In their line of duty many members of both the USC and the UDR paid the ultimate sacrifice while many others suffered horrendous injuries. Many of these attacks where carried out as the men and women were carrying out their civilian jobs (as many members were part time). Despite their success against the IRA and the death of so many of their members the British government disbanded both of these fine organisations, causing untold hurt to our community and leaving a sense of betrayal behind.” With the emblems of the Crimson Star and Rising Sons flute bands.
One of fourteen panels in Thorndyke Street, east Belfast. For a list of entries for each panel, see East Belfast Historical And Cultural Society.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02309 M03627 [M08001] [M08002]
Peter Moloney Collection 