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
M00957
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
M00958
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
M02527
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
M00624
The centre of the UVF emblem (typically a red hand) is replaced by masked volunteer with AK-47. “For God and Ulster”.
Chelsea Street, east Belfast
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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
M00623
The UDA emblem is shown on a red fist between the Ulster Banner and the emblem itself on a flag, which is highly unusual. “Quis separabit”.
Redcliffe Drive, east Belfast.
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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
M00622
The bottom half of this mural in Redcliffe Parade, Belfast, shows UVF volunteers “then and now” (“Ulster 1914” during WWI and in contemporary times). On either side of that are (Protestant) women, on the left exhorting men to fight in WWI and on the right defending the homestead (i.e. the Protestant territories) against the threat of Irish nationalism while the men (and perhaps British support) are absent: “How is freedom measured? By the effort which it costs to retain it” and “Deserted! Well, I can stand alone.”
The upper portion shows a rare (though not unique) version of the red hand of Ulster, giving a “V for victory” salute (and so we can see nails on three digits) and dancing in boots on an Irish Tricolour which lies between an Ulster Banner and a Union flag.
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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
M00621
East Belfast roll of honour, with T[ommy] Herron, the leading UDA man of the early 70s, at the centre. The others named are: Boyd, Douglas, Turkington, Watters, Welsh, Stratton, W. Warnock, Mitchell Jr, Craig, Clark, McVeigh, Mitchell, Livingstone, Reid, R. Warnock, Petherbridge. “Quis separabit”
Redcliffe Parade, east Belfast
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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
M00619
Derek Wood and David Howes were two British Army corporals, killed on March 19, 1988, during the funeral of IRA volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh/Kevin Brady, who was killed by Michael Stone at the funeral of the Gibraltar 3. The mural shows a soldier in stained glass, as well as portraits of the two corporals. “We will remember them.” Mersey Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
M00620
Peter Moloney Collection 