Belfast south

South Belfast UDA A Battalion

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The UDA memorial garden is just off Sandy Row, near the John McMichael Centre.

One board (shown fourth) reproduces a mural (see 2005 M02408) from nearby Rowland Way, which was itself a repaint of an earlier (see 1995 M01183 and 2001 M01518) mural, though updated to note the “distinguished service” of Samuel Curry.

The same thirteen names also appear on the “roll of honour” plaque in the garden. The South Belfast UDA/UFF commander John McMichael was killed by an IRA car bomb in 1987. In addition to organising a team of assassins in the 70s and 80s, he founded a Political Research Group and wrote two documents proposing an independent Northern Ireland. Joe Bratty was killed, along with “Raymie” Elder, by the IRA in 1994 (WP).

City Way, Sandy Row, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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The image of the McMichael board, added later, is from 2013. The same board was mounted in Lisburn: One Man, One Love, One Country.
Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney

A Few Of The Many

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“Lest we forget. This memorial is dedicated to the men of the Willowfield Battalion, East Belfast regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918. It stands on the site of the old Willowfield unionist hall, opened by Sir Edward Carson on May 16th 1913, as a drill hall and rifle range for Willowfield UVF. It was from this hall volunteers marched to Balmoral, from there to the green fields of France, some never to return. Sleep on, dear sons of Ulster, ’til the trumpet sounds again.”

“In memory of our fallen comrades Ulster Volunteer Force East Belfast.”

“In solemn remembrance we salute the brave men of Ulster. Without favour or reward they fought militant republicanism on its own terms. Their courage, dedication and sacrifice we will remember for evermore. Joe Long, Robert (Squeak) Seymour, Charlie Logan, Trevor King, Billy Miller, Tommy McDowell, Joe Shaw, Colin Caldwell, Harris Boyle, Wesley Somerville, Geoffrey Freeman, David Swanson, Sinclair Jonhston, Robin Jackson. This is a few of the many. For God and Ulster.”

This is an improved image over 2006’s A Few Of The Many. Cherryville Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Shattered

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The “comm” from Bik [McFarlane, OC in Long Kesh] to Brownie [Gerry Adams] upon the death of Bobby Sands was posted on the wall in Dromara Street in the wake of Richard O’Rawe’s allegations that Sınn Féın leadership had turned down an offer from the Thatcher government that might have ended the strike after four deaths (Guardian).

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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