physical force

The Young, The Brave, The Fearless

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Young Citizen Volunteers of both the Home Rule (1912) and Troubles periods are shown shouldering rifles. On the side wall: “In loving memory of Volunteer Colin Castle, died 17th February 2006. Lest we forget.”

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Vol. John Hanna

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“In loving memory of Vol. John Hanna, murdered by the enemies of Ulster 10th September 1991. Always remembered by the offices and volunteers of 2nd Batt. “B” Coy Village. Its [sic] not for riches nor for glory but the love of one’s country which [we] are prepared to die for. Here lies a soldier. Gone but not forgotten. FGAU.” The two smaller plaques on either side of the RHC wings on the left are to “Friend Sammy Mehaffy 13th November 1991” and “Volunteer Stevie McCrea 18th February 1989”, both “murdered by the enemies of Ulster”.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Ulster Freedom Fighters

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The orange lily makes a rare appearance in a paramilitary mural. The hooded gunmen are from the UFF/UDA. Volunteer Stephen “Benson” Kingsberry is remembered in the panel towards the back of the house. He died from consuming tainted ecstasy (perhaps distributed by the UVF). He was included in the roll of honour in Lemberg Street. Kilburn Street, Belfast. Seen previously in 2005.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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In Loving Memory UDA/UFF

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“In loving memory South Belfast Brigadier John McMichael, South Belfast UFF commander Joe Bratty.” Listed on the tombstones are Steven Audley 17 Mar 91, Harry Black 30 Sep 92, Jim Kenna 25 Jul 72, Frankie Smith 31 Jan 73, William Kingsberry 13 Nov 91, Stephen Kingsberry 10 Mar 97, Ernie Dowds 10 Oct 95, Sammy Hunt 5 Sep 76, Raymie Elder 31 Jul 94, William Hamilton 9 Sep 94, Tommy Morgan 29 Aug 94.

Lemberg Street, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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South Belfast UDA A Battalion

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The UDA memorial garden is just off Sandy Row, near the John McMichael Centre.

One board (shown fourth) reproduces a mural (see 2005 M02408) from nearby Rowland Way, which was itself a repaint of an earlier (see 1995 M01183 and 2001 M01518) mural, though updated to note the “distinguished service” of Samuel Curry.

The same thirteen names also appear on the “roll of honour” plaque in the garden. The South Belfast UDA/UFF commander John McMichael was killed by an IRA car bomb in 1987. In addition to organising a team of assassins in the 70s and 80s, he founded a Political Research Group and wrote two documents proposing an independent Northern Ireland. Joe Bratty was killed, along with “Raymie” Elder, by the IRA in 1994 (WP).

City Way, Sandy Row, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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The image of the McMichael board, added later, is from 2013. The same board was mounted in Lisburn: One Man, One Love, One Country.
Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney

United Irishmen 1791-1798

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Images from inside Kelly’s Cellars in Belfast city centre, with portraits of Henry Joy McCracken and Theobald Wolfe Tone. ‘The Man From God Knows Where’ is Thomas Russell, an Anglican from Cork who joined the British navy and then the cause of the United Irishmen and the Emmet rebellion. He was executed for treason after the rising in October, 1803 (video of the full poem by Florence Wilson | Irish News account of his death).

There is also a “blue plaque” on the exterior wall.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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