We Will Take The Matter Into Our Own Hands

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

The Elementary Right

“We seek nothing but the elementary right implanted in every man: the right if you are attacked, to defend yourself.” The mural shows two East Belfast UVF volunteers on manoeuvres.

Together with the We Are The Pilgrims mural that was painted at the same time across the street (both by Dee Craig), this mural can be taken as a good marker of the beginning of re-re-imaging, (that is, of new PUL ‘hooded gunmen’ murals) – see Visual History 11. In particular, this mural, unlike its counterpart, replaced a non-paramilitary mural – the Glentoran Community Trust mural.

At the old Bright Street on the Newtownards Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney

We Are The Pilgrims, Master

“We are the pilgrims, master; we shall go always a little further.” Three hooded gunmen from East Belfast UVF . The line comes from a 1913 poem by James Flecker. This mural was painted at the same time as the ‘self-defense’ mural across the street, and together they can be taken as a good marker of the beginning of re-re-imaging, (that is, of new PUL ‘hooded gunmen’ murals) – see Visual History 11. The design is a popular one: it was used for murals in Mersey Street, in Tamar Street and on the Newtownards Road prior to re-imaging. Painted by Dee Craig.

Newtownards Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney

IRA Final Salute

“30th anniversary of the hunger strike. 5th May 1981. IRA final salute. IRA Vol. Bobby Sands, MP Fermanagh South Tyrone.” Gerry Adams watches on as a funeral volley is fired over Sands’s coffin. Whiterock Road, Belfast by Lucas Quigley. Also new is the plaque naming the wall as “Dorothy Maguire Corner”, after the 19-y-o shot in 1971, a member of Cumann Na mBan.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney

Joint Manoeuvres

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