Belfast east

Éıre

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This Short Strand mural packs a lot in, beginning with both ancient Éıre and a celtic cross. Its main panels commemorate 25 years of resistance in east Belfast (probably dating to the Battle Of St Matthew’s in 1970) with portraits of 16 deceased locals (“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a naınmeacha”) and two verses from Bobby Sands’s poem Weeping Winds (see below). On the right (in the second image) is a quote from Bobby Sands: “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”.

Oh, whistling winds why do you weep/When roaming free you are,
Oh! Is it that your poor heart’s broke/And scattered off afar?
Or is it that you bear the cries/Of people born unfree,
Who like your way have no control/Or sovereign destiny?

Oh! Lonely winds that walk the night/To haunt the sinner’s soul/
Pray pity me a wretched lad/Who never will grow old.
Pray pity those who lie in pain/The bondsman and the slave
And whisper sweet the breath of God/Upon my humble grave.

These verses are also used on a board in St James’s.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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David And Goliath

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“End the siege of Short Strand. Denied access to essential services including: doctors, chemist, dentist, health centre, post office, supermarket, Department of Social Services …… sectarianism is a cancer! The people of this area are not sectarian. We want to live in peace with our neighbours. People have nothing to fear from this community. People of all religions and none live, work and travel thru daily and will continue to do so!”

On the other side of the main panel is a list of events from May 2002, describing attacks on nationalist residents and homes in the small nationalist enclave, with “ball bearings, golf balls, bricks and bottles” and “blast bombs, pipe bombs, petrol bombs”. The Andersonstown News gives an account of the initial disturbances and beating of Patrick ‘Pod’ Devenny. The Guardian called the area “Riot City“.

Mountpottinger Road, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01680 M01681 M01679 M01690

REM 1690

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In 1690, William III defeated James II at the Battle Of The Boyne, securing Ireland for England. And in legend, Ulster was won in a race by an O’Neill tossing his severed hand ahead of his competitor. Similar battle is needed to preserve Northern Ireland, the mural suggests. “Quis separabit” is the motto of the UDA, and “Terrae filius” (“Son of the land”) is the motto of the Ulster Young Militants, its youth branch. Lord Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2000 Peter Moloney
M02295 M02296 M02297

Nationality

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Wide shot showing the low wall between the two “Ulster’s defenders” murals: “Our message to the Irish is simple: Hands off Ulster; Irish out; The Ulster conflict is about nationality”, and “We will maintain our faith and our nationality” above images of the Bible. Newtownards Road, Belfast.

M00957

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Copyright © 1992 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
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Who Will Defend Ulster Now?

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In 1992 the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) – which itself replaced the B Specials in 1970 – was amalgamated with the Royal Irish Rangers to become the Royal Irish Regiment. Although seven battalions of the new RIR were permanently based in Northern Ireland, the mural above describes the two organisations as “Ulster’s Past Defenders” and asks “Who will defend Ulster now?”

This is the second gable on the so-called “Freedom Corner” (though it is not clear if it bore this name at the time of this image); here is the first gable | the low wall between the second and third gable can be seen in D00391 | here is the third gable.

Newtownards Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 1992 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
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Their Only Crime Is Loyalty

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UFF and LPA/LPOW mural on Newtownards Road with masked volunteer and rifle, with the “U” in barbed wire. (The words “East Belfast Brigade” would later be added in the middle.) With a quote modelled on the Declaration of Arbroath: “For as long as one hundred of us remain alive we shall never in any way consent to submit to the rule of the Irish, for it is not for glory we fight but for freedom alone which no man loses but with his life.” (Originally, “for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”)

This is the first gable on the so-called “Freedom Corner” (though it is not clear if it bore this name at the time of this image); here is the next gable.

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Copyright © 1991 Peter Moloney
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UVF East Belfast Regiment

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An ornate regimental (WWI) coat of arms, for the East Belfast regiment, with the emblem of the Ulster Volunteers symbol on an Ulster banner shield, topped by a crown and surrounded by an arrangement of roses, thistles, and shamrock. “Contemporised” by masked volunteers with weapons pointed, in front of Union flag and St Andrew’s Saltire. Chelsea Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
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