We Are The Pilgrims, Master

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“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, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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In The East Of The City

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An owner, with Ireland’s Saturday Night (which ceased publication in 2008) tucked in his coat pocket, shows off his greyhound.

The words of the poem – author unknown – read “In the east of the city, isolated alone, is a dear little place we like to call home. / Old strengthened by new, the homes and the streets, looking out for each other, a broad smile when they meet / The once terraced streets, some narrow, some wide, behind so many faces a story there lies / In the east of the city by the lagan’s fair side, looking back at its history our hearts fill with pride.”

Edgar Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Free Marian Price

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These are the first appearances of “free Marian Price” in the Peter Moloney collection of murals. Graffiti, posters, and murals calling for her release would become widespread over the next two years. As a member of the IRA, Price was jailed for the Old Bailey bombing in 1973, and her post-Agreement license was revoked in May, 2011, when she was charged, as a member of the Real IRA, in connection with the Massereene Barracks shooting of 2009 – she was sent to Maghaberry.

Nailor’s Row, Gartan Sq, two from Eastway, two from Central Drive (Creggan), and one (taken in November) from Kildrum Gardens, Derry.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Banbridge Battalions

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The connections between the 36th (Ulster) Division and the Ulster Volunteers are commemorated in Seapatrick: on the left is the YCV shamrock – the 14th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles was the YCV battalion; on the right, with the digits “1912” is the West Down regiment, 1st battalion (Banbridge) of the Ulster Volunteers, but we also have the years “1914 – 1918” – in September 1914 men from Banbridge (presumably including Seapatrick) joined D Company of 13th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down Volunteers) and part of the 108th Brigade of the 36th Ulster Division) (Bygone Days).

Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick (near Banbridge), Co Down

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Loyalist Seapatrick

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The Ulster Banner and Union Flag serve as bookends for two additional boards: “Still loud, still proud – No surrender” (presumably Seapatrick Flute Band) and the insignia of the 36th (Ulster) Division.

Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick (near Banbridge), Co Down

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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