Union Flag

Changing Faces

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“The Changing Faces artwork is a project that has been undertaken by a group of young people from Impact Training. They looked to their surrounding area where they explored and documented how it appears in 2010. What is the Shankill? What does it look like and what does it mean to youth culture now? Murals have been something that has been prevalent in the community for many years. Times change, opinions soften and people can begin to build a changing face.” On the left is a selection of details from murals with familiar subjects: King Billy, hooded gunmen, the red hand of Ulster, Carson, the Queen Mother; on the right are four panels on the theme of the red hand of Ulster in youth culture (clockwise from left): with wild-style writing from the Cupar Way “peace” line and soccer, with pop music, with It’s All Good by Dublin artist Maser, and with a (two-handed) warrior. “Don’t push away our culture … learn it and embrace it.”

For more on the attempt to put community art on the Cupar Way “peace” line, see Visual History 10.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag

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The new mural to UDA assassin Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag is at last completed. It was seen in progress in January (from D collection), July and August of 2010 and it replaces a version that itself might never have been completed, from 2009. The mural has been repainted many times, in quick succession, perhaps an indication of dissatisfaction with it or with the plaster. See also 2008 and 2007.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Big Bill Campbell

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“A true soldier – Big Bill Campbell”, leader of the UVF’s 1st Scottish battalion. Campbell (and Von, to whom a plaque would later be added below Campbell’s) were imprisoned for bombing Glasgow pubs in 1979 and Campbell is suspected of involvement of the McGurk’s Bar bombing in 1971.

The Campbell plaque was originally on the Northland St mural of the Shankill West Belfast 1st Batt A Coy 5th Plat before it was reimaged as a Thiepval memorial mural. The plaque is added to the ‘People’s Army’ mural on the Shankill at the Rex Bar.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Stevie McKeag

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The scaffolding is still up in front of the new Stevie McKeag mural in Hopewell Crescent, Belfast. In-progess shot from July: M05746.

“In proud and loving memory [of] Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag, military commander 2nd batt. C coy, West Belfast Brigade [UDA]. Born 01-04-1970, died 24-09-2000.”

Hopewell Crescent, Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Loyal Neilsbrook

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Six panels on the Neilsbrook Loyalist arch: Randalstown Sons Of Ulster flute band, Siege Of Derry, Drumcree “United we stand”, 36th (Ulster) Division, William Of Orange, Sir Edward Carson. For more images from the estate see Loyalist Randalstown.

“This plaque was presented by the officers and members of Randalstown Sons Of Ulster flute band on Saturday 17th April 1999 in memory of all the Loyalist people of Ulster who have suffered at the hands of the enemies of our land.”

Blackthorn Way (at Brackenburn), Neilsbrook Park, Neilsbrook Road, Randalstown

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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City Of Culture

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In July of 2010, Londonderry (or “Derry~Londonderry” as it would be styled) (BBC) was chosen as the first UK ‘city of culture’, with a programme of events taking place in 2013 (Culture NI). This Fountain mural shows a Union Flag United Kingdom and the shields of the four ‘home’ nations.

Fountain Street, Londonderry

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Joint Manoeuvres

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Wide shot of two Castlemara murals – one UDA, one UVF – previously seen in 2008. The fourth flag in the UFF mural is the flag of Ulster Nationalism (WP). Similarly, on the lamp-post fly both the UDA emblem and a flag commemorating the Ulster Volunteers in the 36th Division.

The Union Flag board is on North Road.

Castlemara Drive, Carrickfergus

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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McMichael & Smallwoods

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“In memory of Brigadier John McMichael, murdered by the enemies of Ulster 22nd December 1987. Lest we forget. Quis separabit.” The quadrants of the Ulster Banner include the emblems of the UDA, UFF, LPA, and UDF. For McMichael’s death South Belfast UDA A Batt.

“In proud memory of Ray Smallwoods (murdered by the enemies of Ulster 11th July 1994). … Erected by officers and volunteers of Old Warren A Coy.” Smallwoods was killed by the IRA in the garden of his home in Donard Drive, Lisburn (WP).

The King Billy board is just out of shot to the left of the wide view.

Drumbeg Drive, Lisburn

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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