Belfast east

4,000 Years Of Ulster Scots

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“4,000 years of Ulster-Scots history and heritage. Ulster & Scotland – shared language, shared literature, shared culture.” 400 years takes us back to the plantation; 4,000 years suggests an even deeper connection.

Ulster-Scots was included in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (pdf) under the principle of support for “linguistic diversity”. This mural celebrating Ulster-Scots and ties between Northern Ireland and Scotland dates to 1999, with the crests of St Andrew and St Patrick on the left, and an Ulster Banner and Scottish lion rampant on the right.

“Dinnae houl yer wheest, houl yer ain!” [Don’t hold your tongue, hold your own!]

See also the Visual History page about Ulster-Scots murals.

Templemore Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy
T00448 [T00449]

Éıre

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The main panels commemorate 25 years of “unbowed, unbroken” resistance in east Belfast (probably dating to the Battle Of St Matthew’s (WP) in 1970) with portraits of 16 deceased locals (“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a naınmeacha”) and two verses from Bobby Sands’s poem Weeping Winds (see below), on either side of Érıu the mythological queen of Ireland/Éıre as designed by Richard J King/Rísteard Ó Cíonga.

On the right (in the second image) is a copy of the 1916 Proclamation.

Oh, whistling winds why do you weep/When roaming free you are,
Oh! Is it that your poor heart’s broke/And scattered off afar?
Or is it that you bear the cries/Of people born unfree,
Who like your way have no control/Or sovereign destiny?

Oh! Lonely winds that walk the night/To haunt the sinner’s soul/
Pray pity me a wretched lad/Who never will grow old.
Pray pity those who lie in pain/The bondsman and the slave
And whisper sweet the breath of God/Upon my humble grave.

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Copyright © 1998 Paddy Duffy
T00287 T00304

Young Newton

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“In proud memory of comrades A. Petherbridge, G. Reid, K. Watters, W. Warnock, R. Warnock. [In memory of our fallen comrades. We forget them not. Terrae filius. East Belfast brigade UDA-UFF.] At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. Young Newton.” “UDA East Belfast. Ulster Freedom Fighters. Quis separabit.”

The fine condition of the murals suggests that the missing wording (on the plinth) has yet to be added. A very low wall to the right of frame reads “Formed to fight for the right to remain in the United Kingdom.”

All five of the named volunteers died in the early 1970s: Petherbridge 1973-02-07, Reid 1974-02-26, Watters 1974-02-17, W Warnock 1972-10-16, and R Warnock 1972-09-13. Young Newton was an east Belfast “tartan” gang (History Ireland) and then part of the UYM (WP).

Fraser Pass (later Pitt Place), east Belfast

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Copyright © 1997 Paddy Duffy
T00246 [T00253]

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