PUL

Rocket Team On Tour

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This is a pair of murals in Snugville Street as it was being redeveloped in the mid-1990s. Above, “UFF rocket team on tour, west Belfast ’94”. Johnny Adair’s C company, acquired an RPG-7 rocket launcher and used it in attacks on Connolly House and the Rock Bar in early 1994 (BelTel | UPI). Below, two hooded gunmen with assault rifles: “Ulster Freedom Fighters will resist any Eire involvement in our country”.

Adair went to prison in 1995 and when he came out in 1999, had a large number of murals painted in the lower Shankill estate.

Side-by-side in Snugville Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00216 T00231

UVF 1st East Antrim Battalion

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The flag on the left is the UVF flag with “1912” in the corner, referring back to the Ulster Volunteers. The flag on the right lists WWI battles – Somme, Ypres, St Quentin, and Grandcourt are showing, while Arras, Thiepval, Messines, and Fricourt are probably hidden – under the title “Monkstown East Antrim”; men from the area joined the Central Antrim/12th battalion of the RIR.

Cloyne Crescent, Monkstown, Newtownabbey

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00244

36th (Ulster) Division

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“In remembrance of the 36th (Ulster) Division – For God and Ulster”. “1912” (on either side of the UVF emblem) refers to the founding of the Ulster Volunteers, who went on to join the 36th Division of the British Army, fighting at “Albert, Beaucourt, Thiepval, Grand Court, Passchendaele, Somme, Courtrai, Ypres, Cambreai [Cambrai], Rossieres [Rosières], Flanders, Baitleul [Bailleul], St Quentin, Beaumont[-]Hamel, Sch waden [Schwaben] Redoubt, Fricourt, Messines”. The stone in front reads, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.”

Cashel Close, Monkstown, Newtownabbey

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00241

We Are The Pilgrims

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“We are the pilgrims, master – we shall go always a little further” is a line from James Elroy Flecker’s verse poem Hassan and is inscribed on the clock tower of the the Hereford barracks of the SAS (WP). It is used here by hooded gunmen from “East Belfast” Ulster Volunteer Force.

Armitage Close, east Belfast

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00240

Still Defending Ulster

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“Still defending Ulster – we will always be ready. 1912 – 1969. To the politicians: words are not enough for the peace and freedom of the children and the people of Ulster “deeds and actions”. To our volunteers: the supreme sacrifice is to lay down your life for your country. Some have given everything, others have yet to give.”

The modern volunteer, while hooded, is not in an active pose, reflecting the ceasefire. The word “to the politicians” perhaps express frustration with the peace process (and hint at the continued violence of the LVF, created after the dispute in July at Drumcree).

Kenilworth Place, east Belfast

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00151

Gertrude Star Flute Band

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“Gertrude Star flute band [Fb], east Belfast, est. 1961.” This mural, created in “1993” (left), is probably being repaired after after being paint-bombed – see the white paint dripping down on the St Andrew’s Saltire. The interior of the “Northern Island” and Spike the bulldog’s badge have yet to be restored. For the mural in full health, see D00394.

Martin Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00149

Consolidate The Peace

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“Consolidate the peace – release east Belfast’s loyalist prisoners”. As for republicans, the release of political prisoners – specifically UDA prisoners in this case – was for loyalists the most immediate potential benefit of the peace process. “We forget them not – LPA”

Harvey Court, east Belfast

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00148