Ulster Volunteers

UVF East Belfast Regiment

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An ornate regimental (WWI) coat of arms, for the East Belfast regiment, with the emblem of the Ulster Volunteers symbol on an Ulster banner shield, topped by a crown and surrounded by an arrangement of roses, thistles, and shamrock. “Contemporised” by masked volunteers with weapons pointed, in front of Union flag and St Andrew’s Saltire. Chelsea Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
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How Is Freedom Measured?

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The bottom half of this mural in Redcliffe Parade, Belfast, shows UVF volunteers “then and now” (“Ulster 1914” during WWI and in contemporary times). On either side of that are (Protestant) women, on the left exhorting men to fight in WWI and on the right defending the homestead (i.e. the Protestant territories) against the threat of Irish nationalism while the men (and perhaps British support) are absent: “How is freedom measured? By the effort which it costs to retain it” and “Deserted! Well, I can stand alone.”

The upper portion shows a rare (though not unique) version of the red hand of Ulster, giving a “V for victory” salute (and so we can see nails on three digits) and dancing in boots on an Irish Tricolour which lies between an Ulster Banner and a Union flag.

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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
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Then And Now, 1912 – 1987

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“They fought then for the cause of Ulster, we will fight now.” The 75th anniversary of the Ulster Volunteers is celebrated in this mural in Dover Place, west Belfast. On the left of the Northern Island is an Ulster Volunteer in period (1912) garb standing on a patch of ground, on the right, a modern (1987) paramilitary in hood and fatigues standing on a city footpath. The Ulster Volunteers as such did not fight for Ulster – they instead joined the British Army and fought “for King and Empire” in WWI, after which Home Rule was applied only to 26 counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland was created and remained within the UK.

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Copyright © 1988 LC
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