“A leader is gone – the legend forever lives on! Codaıl samh a chomradaí.” Long-time IRA volunteer Martin Meehan, who went with the Provisionals in the split, spent 18 years in prison during the Troubles, and stood in various elections for Sınn Féın, died of a heart attack in November 2007. Divis Street, Belfast.
“This lamp has been erected and dedicate to the memory of those innocent victims of the Shankill Bombing on Saturday 23rd October 1993 and to all innocent victims of terrorism from the Shankill community. ‘To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ St Luke Chapter 1 Verse 79.” Nine people, plus one of the bombers, died in the bombing of Frizzell’s fish shop.
This is the scene in the outdoor seating to the Rex Bar on the Shankill Road. The arch is dedicated to the 36th (Ulster) Division at the Battle Of The Somme. On the side of the betting office, Carson signs the Ulster Covenant (Mo2454), Carson reviews the Ulster Volunteers (M02453), and a farmer’s wife protects the farm, both during WWI and from “sectarian attack from across the border” (M02452). The Union Flag to the left is in progress.
The Ulster Volunteers were formed in response to the Home Rule bill of April 1912 and the Covenant signed in September 1912, first by Edward Carson and then by almost half a million others. Guns were smuggled into Larne on the Clyde Valley in April 1914 but the advent of the World War saw the volunteers instead joining the British Army.
“In memory of five innocent Protestants slaughtered here by a republican murder gang on 13th August 1975. William John Gracey Aged 63, Samuel Gunning, aged 55, Joanne McDowell aged 29, Hugh Alexander Harris aged 21, Linda Boyle aged 17. Erected by the Bayardo Somme Association. “A forgotten atrocity””
“30 years of indiscriminate slaughter by so-called non-sectarian Irish freedom fighters. No military targets! No economic targets! No legitimate targets! Where are our inquiries? Where is our truth? Where is our justice?” The bombings listed are: Fourstep Inn, bombed 29th Sept. 1971, 2 innocents killed; Bayardo Bar, bombed 13th August 1975, 5 innocents killed; Balmoral Showroom, bombed 11th December 1971, 2 adults and 2 babies killed; Mountainview Tavern, bombed 5th April 1975, 5 innocents killed; Frizzell’s Fish Shop, bombed 23rd October 1993, 9 innocents killed. The plaque to the right (“donated by the Kinner family”) gives the names of those killed. It was previously beside the painted version of this mural in Bellevue Street.
“In loving memory of military commander Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag, born 1970, died 2000. Sleeping where no shadows fall.” The plaques and the photograph in the centre are new (see previously 2007). The upper plaque [M04257] reads “This mural is dedicated to the memory of Stevie (Top Gun) McKeag from the officers & members of C Company 2nd Battalion UFF. Gone but not forgotten. Quis separabit.” The lower plaque [M04256] reads “In loving memory of our big brother Steven McKeag from jackie, Mary & Melissa. Simply the best.”
Emblems of the Royal Irish Regiment, Ulster Defence Regiment, Royal Irish Rangers, and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, on the side of the (empty) pub at the junction of Malvern Street and Shankill Road.