assault rifle

Cloughfern Young Conquerors

Extramural Activity1 Comment

The version of Eddie The Trooper in Cloughfern carries an assault rifle and a Cloughfern Young Conquerors (flute band) flag, founded in 1973 – the same year as the UFF – and “still undefeated”. He wears plaid/tartan trousers – perhaps a reference to Rathcoole Kill All Irish or other tartan gang. (Eddie has his own Visual History page.)

On the crosses are written the names of bands from the Rathcoole area (that no longer exist) “G. Blair Mem” [George Blair Memorial Flute Band – a UVF band], “WPB” [Whiteabbey Protestant Boys], “Sons Of KAI“, “Dam Busters” [Dam Busters Flute Band  Newtownabbey], and “EAV” [East Antrim Volunteers – a UVF band]. (Thanks to Joe K for the information about the bands.)

“RUC?” might refer to the shifting attitudes towards the police service (PSNI).

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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South East Antrim Brigade

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The four landmark high-rise buildings in Rathcoole – seen in the background of this nearby UDA mural – are called Abbotscoole, Carncoole, Glencoole and Monkscoole. Listed on the left-hand side are various areas in the South East Antrim brigade (plus Shore Road).

Bencrom Park, Rathcoole

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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UVF 3rd Battalion North Belfast

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The battles that the 36th (Ulster) Division took part in are listed on either side of the silhouetted soldier: Ypres, Fricourt, Cambrai, Thiepval, Messines, Beaucourt, Somme, Albert, Flanders, St Quentin, Bailleul, Courtrai. The scroll at the top says “Tigers Bay III”. The memorial stone is to the “3rd Battalion, North Belfast”.

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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Mount Vernon Volunteers

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These four images are all from Ross House at the entrance to Mount Vernon. They show a UVF gunman (slipping behind a security camera), a tiger mascot, YCV and UVF emblems, and graffiti at the front of the building.

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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Prepared For Peace, Ready For War

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After the row of houses on which it originally appeared was knocked down, the mural to the North Belfast UVF/YCV/PAF [Protestant Action Force] “Prepared for peace, ready for war”, with its two hooded gunmen, was moved up on the hill, at eye-level with the motorway roundabout c. 2001.

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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