Belfast west

Gibraltar/Milltown Martyrs

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2008 was the twentieth anniversary of the killing of IRA members Seán Savage, Danny McCann, and Maıréad Farrell in Gibraltar on March 6th, and the subsequent deaths related to their funerals: IRA volunteer Kevin McCracken was shot on the 14th near the Savage family home on the night the coffins arrived in Belfast and, at the funeral, Thomas McErlean, John Murray, and IRA volunteer Caoımhín Mac Bradaıgh were killed by the UDA’s Michael Stone. The Ballyseedy Memorial was used in the mural painted at the time.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
M04025 M04029 [M04026] [M04027] [M04028] [M04014] [M04015]

Andrew Jackson

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The information along the bottom reads: “Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the USA and the first of Ulster-Scots descent, his family emigrated from Carrickfergus to North Carolina in 1765. After leading the army to victory in the Battle Of New Orleans in 1815 Jackson became a national hero and became known as “Old Hickory” after the tough wood of the native American tree. His “common man” credentials earned Jackson a massive popular vote and swept him into the Presidency for two consecutive terms (1829-1837).” He also hated the British, owned slaves, and signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the infamous “Trail of Tears” (Irish Times).

See also the Visual History page on Ulster-Scots murals.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03818cr M03819 [M03817]

The Red Hand Of Ulster

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“There are many legends telling the origins of the Red Hand Of Ulster. This mural depicts only one of those.” In this case, the myth is that Ulster was offered as a prize to whoever could reach it first and was won by throwing a severed hand onto the shore.

Replaces the Lower Shankill UFF mural (M02478).

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03814 [M03816] [M03815]

Stevie McCrea

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Red Hand Commando volunteer Stevie McCrea was sentenced to 16 years for the murder of James Kerr in 1972 (Behind The Mask) and was subsequently “murdered by the enemies of Ulster” on February 18th, 1989 in an IPLO attack on the Orange Cross (see M00560 | WP). “For he shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary him nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him.”

This is a repaint of the original mural to McCrea – see T00152.

McCrea is included on murals in south Belfast’s Frenchpark Street and Broadway (dating back to at least 1993).

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03807 [M03805] [M03806]

Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag

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“In loving memory of military commander Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag. Born 1970, died 2000. Sleeping where no shadows fall.” McKeag was the top assassin in the UDA during the 1990s, claiming at least 12 victims. Both his WP page and this Guardian article describe his career and his – sometimes contentious – preeminent standing within the UDA.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03803 [M03802]