The refreshed Young Newton mural at the end of “Freedom Corner” switches from mention of the UYM (UDA youth) to the 1893 UDU. “Our civil and religious liberties we will maintain” is a slogan from the anti-Home Rule protests. Inclusion of Northern Ireland nationalism is retained (the crest in the bottom right) alongside the crests of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Union. “Who will separate us.” There are three flowers around the Union flag – the Welsh daffodil is absent.
“Everyone has the right to live free from sectarian/racist harassment!!!” Arkansas ’57 – Ardoyne 2001 – South Belfast ’09. This is a smaller and updated (and cruder) version of the ‘It’s black and white‘ mural in Ardoyne. That original put the abuse of the Little Rock Nine after Brown v. Board Of Education (‘Arkansas ’57’) in parallel with the abuse of students attempting to get to Holy Cross primary (‘Ardoyne 2001’). This update adds the treatment of residents in lower Ormeau during the Orange marching season, a controversy that began in 1992: see Postcard From The Edge | Trade Off?
Names are added to the (repainted or at least restored) IRA/Fianna mural in Friendly Street in the Markets. See previously 2002 and the paint-bombed 2006. The seven portraits are of Tony Nolan, Joseph Downey, Frank Fitzsimons, Joey Surgenor, Paul Marlowe, Jim Templeton, and Brendan Davison.
“Treat our community with respect. Treat our community with dignity.” On the Crumlin Road at the bottom of the Ardoyne shops and the top of Twaddell Avenue. Tensions over Orange Order parading though the area would not be resolved until 2016.
The large stone in the corner is to Declan McCluskey but does not give a date or manner of death. It is perhaps the Declan McCluskey who died by suicide in 2005 (BBC-NI); his father Francie is included on the central plaque – he was killed by the UFF in 1982.
“This memorial is dedicated to the memory of all those form the Ligoniel area who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. Mary, queen of the Gael, pray for them”; “This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Óglach Declan McCluskey, Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. ‘I love my God overall,’ he said, ‘And then I loved my land. Oh mother dear I was true, to God, to Ireland and to you.'”
The two central plaques read, “I ndıl chuımhne. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of all those from Ligoniel who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. A Mhuıre banríon na nGael guıgh orthu.” and “In loving memory of Terry McCafferty, Michelle Osborne, Vol. Jackie Mooney, Danny O’Neill, Jim Sullivan, Alac Greer, Mary Sloan, Rosemary Brown, Mrs Sloan, Letta Younger, William Younger, Francie McCluskey, John O’Neill, Colm McCallum, Brian McKimm, Leo Scullion, Sammy Bell, Kevin Flood, Brian Duffy, John Todd, Maurice O’Kane. May they rest in peace.”
“In loving memory Lt. Col. Bill Reynolds murdered [by the IRA] 7-7-87. Always remembered by his family, friends and comrades. Quis separabit.” Reynolds was shot in the (now abandoned) Village café and pool hall on the Ligoniel Road: News video of Reynolds’s death.
“In loving memory Sgt Hill McFarlane, murdered 21/4/1987. Always remembered by his family, friends and comrades. Quis separabit.” McFarlane was beaten to death by fellow UDA members (Lost Lives 2828).
Peter Moloney Collection 