UDA commander John McMichael was also secretary of the New Ulster Political Research Group (NUPRG), a think tank of the UDA/UFF. The group argued for an independent Northern Ireland (based in part on beliefs about a separate Ulster ethnic identity) in two documents, 1979’s Beyond the Religious Divide and 1987’s Common Sense (available at CAIN), promoting the philosophy of ‘Ulster nationalism’, depicted here by the free-floating Northern Ireland. McMichael ran unsuccessfully for the Belfast South seat after the murder of Robert Bradford (see To Bathe The Sharp Sword Of My Word In Heaven).
“As John McMichael stated before his untimely death, we must share the responsibility for finding a settlement and share the responsibility of maintaining good government. He left us hope.”
William Frederick McFadzean of the 14th (Young Citizens) battalion Royal Irish Rifles was awarded the Victoria Cross for throwing himself on a box of grenades that had fallen into the trench during the Battle Of The Somme, July 1st, 1916. The figure on the left is Edward Carson. The plaque reads “Sydenham roll of honour to those who gave their lives in the Great War and to those who haven’t been traced but are known unto God.”
This UDA memorial garden is in Lemberg Street, at the top of (south Belfast) Roden Streeet. The plaque to John McMichael and eleven others would later be moved to Sandy Row. The stone on the right reads “In memory of fallen comrades south Belfast brigade”.
This is just one of the nine kids and local community boards (five from the Charter Youth Club, four from the Sandy Row Womans Group [sic]) at the blind end of Blythe Street, Belfast. The panel in the middle right of this one is of kids taking part in “Give Sectarianism The Boot” an initiative of the IFA and Community Relations Council.
The Irish Football Association is the organising body of the Northern Ireland soccer team. Belfast-born players Warren Feeney and Grant McCann are featured (please e-mail with corrections).
Heroes from the Celtic’s past Charlie Tully (of Belfast and Glasgow Celtic), Willie Maley (the first manager), Br. Walfrid (founder of the club in 1888), Jock Stein (manager in 1967) look down over the current team “doing the huddle”.
“This mural is dedicated to the Ulster Volunteer Force 36th (Ulster) division. In 1912 Ulster was under the threat of home rule, Sir Edward Carson called upon the people of ulster to resist and almost half a million men and women signed a covenant to pledge their support; the U.V.f. was formed militarily trained and armed with thousands of guns that were smuggled into ports on board ships such as the SS. Clyde Valley; disciplined units of armed volunteers would soon be seen on the streets of ulster sending out a stark warning to those who would seek to force the bill throughout; 1914 saw the outbreak of WW1 and when Britain called put aside his differences and offered the services of his offer was accepted and 13 battalions were amalgamated with 3 existing based Irish regiments to form the on the 1st July the division played their part at the battle of the somme and although they achieved their objectives they had suffered over 5,000 casualties; as the war raged on fought nobly and bravely and on many occasions side by side with Irishmen who would once have been their bitter enemies but faced with battle they were brothers in arms; the Ulster Tower now stands beside Theipval Wood in France as a fitting monument in recognition of the sacrifice made by these brave Ulstermen. ‘Pass not this spot in sorrow but in pride that you may live as nobly as they died'” The gravestones shown are to 6322 Private J. Condon Royal Irish Regiment 24th May 1915 age 14 and 10/16015 Rifleman S. Thompson Royal Irish Rifles, 5th October 1918.
“I am not an Ulsterman but yesterday 1st July as I followed their amazing attack I felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the world” Captain Wilfred [Wilfrid] Spender – the Somme, 1916.”
“COSY [local bar] Somme Association, East Belfast.”
Peter Moloney Collection 