“International pan-Celtic festival – Doıre”. The festival (web) is in its 43rd year and will be held in Derry from April 22nd to 27th (Transceltic).
in the centre, the Derry oak-leaf is painted in the flags of the six Celtic-language nations with “welcome” in the six languages: (by flag, clockwise from left) Irish (Fáılte), Scots Gaelic (Fàılte), Cornish (Dynnargh Dhis), Manx (Failt), Welsh (Croeso), and Breton (Degemer Mat).
“Sınn Féın – putting Ireland first / Éıre chun cınn. Vótáıl Mary McConville, Jim McVeigh, toghcheantar na Cuırte / Court”. Local elections will be held on May 22nd, for the newly amalgamated councils (11 rather than 26); the Court district has also changed somewhat – it now includes the [CNR] areas of Clonard and Falls as well as [PUL] Ballygomartin, Forth River, Shankill, and Woodvale (WP).
“Belfast Easter Commemoration 1916 – Sunday 20th April. Assemble Beechmount Ave 1pm, parade leave 1.30 pm sharp. Speaker: Martina Anderson MEP. Honour Ireland’s patriot dead, wear an Easter lily. Cumann Uaıgheann[a] Na Laochra Gael – National Graves Association”
“On behalf of the officers and members of the Whiterock flute band we would like to thank all our past members, families, loyal orders and community for your support.”
“A brief history: On the 21st February 1962 there was a new flute band established. This band was to be named the Whiterock flute band. It all began during the monthly meeting of Whiterock Temperance LOL 974 when Brother Andrew Johnston (Snr) backed by Bro. Jack King proposed that a junior band be formed. Little did they know that the band would be celebrating 50 glorious years in 2012.
The band’s first chairperson was Andrew Johnston (Snr), the role which has been filled by many after him. The original committee members were Billy Simpson and Joe Proctor. The initial band membership came mainly from the mixed area of the Upper Springfield Road namely New Barnsley, Moyard and the adjoining Highfield area. However over the years the ranks of the Whiterock have been filled with folk from all over Belfast. With a new band comes the need for instruments, the ‘John Brown’ flutes were purchased for a small fee of thirty bob (£1.50) whilst the side drums were kindly donated by the Springfield Methodist church and accompanying bands associated with the church obtained through Jimmy McClean.
With practices taking place in Whiterock Orange Hall and the band building a repertoire of music containing Blackboard of my Heart, Abide with Me and the national anthem all they needed now was a parade to get the show on the road. The first parade for the band was on the 29th June 1962 accompanying the Whiterock Temperance LOL 974 on their annual Whiterock parade, a parade which today still plays a large part in the band’s activities.
Two years later in 1964, the band was well establish and looked towards a uniform re-design; they opted for bright orange sashes, white shirts and the Balmoral Hat with the distinctive orange plume. The hat is still part of the Whiterock uniform today and in fact has become somewhat a trade mark of the band.
As well as the uniform, the band instruments also changed slightly in that they obtained ‘Big Bertha’ which is a half Lambeg rope drum and is still beaten by the band today, alongside this they began purchasing the Hawkes and Sons Crown AZ Bb flute which is also still played by the band. The Crown AZ flutes are a highly sought after instrument and are a lot more expensive than the John Browns purchased for £1.50.
The band had engaged with many organisations throughout their history, some of which have maintained long term relationships. On the band’s 50th anniversary 2012, we enjoyed the company of Ulster Convention LOL 242 for (37 years), alongside Britannia Junior LOL 32 (36 years). Other notable relationships are Beaconsfield RBP 224 (34 years) and ABOD Campsie Club (12 years) all presently engaged to date 2014.
Membership of the band remains consistent with many members having an impressive number of years service under their belt, in particular Alex Thompson (AT), who has a staggering 50 years marked in 2013. Looking towards the future, the band will stay committed to providing opportunities for our younger generations, to participate in the art of flute and drum, therefore keeping our glorious tradition alive.”
The memorial gallery on the right-hand side of Ardilea Close has been expanded from three panels to five (compared to last year/2013) and the first new face is “Charlie Wilson – age 66”.
“Easter Sunday commemoration march. Assemble 2.00 pm Westland Street. Tírghrá.” The sign is the same as in 2013 (M09214), which was a modified version of the 2011 board (M06631).
Top is a 1916 Societies board (in Rossville Street) announcing a commemoration for Richard Quigley on Easter Saturday; below is a 32 County Sovereignty Movement board (in Eastway) for an Easter Rising commemoration on Easter Monday.
Richie Quigley died on “active service” on April 21st, 1984 when he was hit by debris from a van-bomb that exploded prematurely (UPI). 2014 is the thirtieth anniversary of his death.
Above is a local interpretation of Robert Ballagh’s 1970 rendering of Goya’s The Third Of May 1808 in Glenfada Park, Derry/Doıre, site of four deaths on Bloody Sunday, 1972.
The original commemorates Spanish resistance to the forces of Napoleon (WP). For this Derry version, features from the city’s skyline – the Guildhall, St. Columb’s Cathedral, and an intact Governor Walker column – have replaced the original’s outline of Madrid, and an insignia of the Paras appears on the arm of a soldier.
Here are three boards in Lindsay Street, south Belfast, chronicling the 1912 Covenant and the lives lost (by the 36th Division) in the Great War 1914-1918.
“It is needful that we knit together as one man, each strengthening the other, and not holding back of counting the cost” – Ulster [Unionist] Council Resolution 1912.” “Ulster’s solemn league and covenant. Ulster Day 28th September 1912.” The Council met on September 23rd and 471,000 people signed the covenant (figures here) on or around the 28th – Ulster Day – led by Sir Edward Carson.
“Donegall Pass remembers 1914-1918 – the great sacrifice. Lest we forget. Here are commemorated the many local men who during the Great War of 1914-1918 gave the most that man can give: life itself for God for King and Country.” With a map of the northern end of the Western Front and images of soldiers marching, on horseback, and in the trenches.
“The war is over. Armistice Day 1918. 11th month, 11th day, 11th, hour.” “But in their eyes shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes … Their flower the tenderness of patient minds, and each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds.” Lines from Wilfred Owens’ (1893-1918) ‘Anthem For Doomed Youth‘.
At the bottom: “The last three months of WWI became known as the hundred days. Realising they were defeated an armistice was signed by the Germans. Germany finally surrendered and WWI ended on November 11th 1918. The terms of the agreement called for the end of fighting along the entire Western Front to begin a precisely 11 am that morning. Records show that the last British soldier killed in WWI was Private George Edwin Allison of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. He was killed at Mons at 09:30 am, just 90 minutes before the ceasefire.”
