Ulster Volunteers

The Derrys

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“In proud memory of our fallen comrades from the Nelson Drive flute band. Glorious on the graves of heroes, kindly upon all those who have suffered for the cause. Thus will shine the dawn. They gave their tomorrow for our today.” The words in italics are from a Winston Churchill radio broadcast on October 21, 1940, entitled Dieu Protège La France. The final, more familiar, phrase is John Maxwell Edmonds’s memorial epitaph. The 10th battalion of the Inniskilling Fusiliers, in the 109th brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division, was called “The Derrys” (web).

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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100th Anniversary Of The Formation Of The Ulster Volunteer Force

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“100th Anniversary Of The Formation Of The Ulster Volunteer Force 1913-2013”, flanked by two large emblems, reading “Last Post Great War Society – 36th (Ulster) Division” and “Ulster Volunteer Force, west Belfast”.

Above the courtyard of the Rex Bar, Moscow Street, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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The Relief Of Ulster

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This is the scene at the junction of Pollock Drive and Mourne Road in Mourneview, Lurgan. The images, in order, show the top level of boards (including some on the sides of the building) and then the four along the bottom.

Top: (on side) Inniskilling Dragoon Guards | South Belfast UDA, B battalion, 1 company | Ancre Somme Association | 9th battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers | Craigavon Protestant Boys flute band (Fb) | Carson signing the Covenant in 1912 | (on side, above Mourneview Youth) Upper Bann Fusiliers flute band (Fb) | Upper Bann Fusiliers

Bottom: No Home Rule including the unfurling of “The Largest Union Jack In The Empire” | The Covenant | The Relief Of Ulster including the Ulster Volunteers and the Larne gun-running | The Great War including the VC won by William MacFadzean – “To them, bravery was without limit; to us, memory is without end”.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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lamentations the pioneers brownlow house somme bonar law crawford our only crime is loyalty


The Lions Of Ulster

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“100 years of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant. ‘We will not have home rule.’ The lions of Ulster.”

“West Belfast Athletic & Cultural Society – breaking down barriers through sport and cultural exchange. This mural was dedicated by Alderman Hugh Smyth O.B.E. on Friday the 21st September 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the signing of Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant.”

The eight plaques (from left to right) are to Major Fredrick H Crawford, Volunteer Robert J Adgey, James Craig, the Ulster Covenant, Sir Edward Henry Carson, Sir George Lloyd Reilly Richardson, Captain Wilfrid Spender, Ulster Volunteer Force.

N. Howard Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Barrack Hill

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Here are five images from Barrack Hill in Armagh: a pair of murals showing a “UVF Gun-Smuggler 1913” and “Arms Training 1913”, along with some UVF nail-ups, one above a True Blues flute band board (Fb).

Barrack Hill/Gough Avenue, Armagh

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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The Balmoral Review

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“100 years – 1912-20212 – the Balmoral Review”. Debate on the third Home Rule bill long preceded its formal introduction on April 11th. Winston Churchill and others travelled to Belfast in February to speak in its favour (see RIC At Celtic Park) and on April 9th (Easter Tuesday) 100,000 unionists rallied in Balmoral show grounds for review by Bonar Law, the head of the Conservative party – here is a postcard of the Wicklow contingent. (For more photographs, see Balmoral Review Review.) The 2012 commemoration drew about 10,000 people to Ormeau Park (Slugger).

The hoarding is in Lawnbrook Avenue, the small boards are in Conway Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Fight To A Finish

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This is the updated version of a mural seen previously in 2007. The main panels remain the same, but the apex has been changed from Orange Order flag and St Andrew’s Saltire to a ribbon read “Fight to a finish”, with shamrocks.

Drumtara, Ballymena

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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We Will Take The Matter Into Our Own Hands

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This is a repainted version of the mural seen previously in 2006 – the main elements remain the same but a few Ulster Volunteers/36th (Ulster) Brigade elements have been added (as distinct from the UVF), the quote on the right has changed, and there is a dedication.

The quote is from “Sir Edward Carson, 1912” (probably 1920, 12th of July – Treason Felony | RTÉ): “We in Ulster will tolerate no Sinn Féin but we tell you this – that if, having offered you our help, you are yourselves unable to protect us from the machinations of Sinn Féin, and you won’t take our help, we will take the matter into our own hands.”

The Gareth Keys commemorated here is perhaps the same Gareth Keys who painted the yellow UVF mural in Donegall Pass, and whose death is described in this BelTel article.

Castlereagh Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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