This is a freshly-repainted sign for “South Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force, 2nd battalion, A company Donegall Pass” on the back wall of the Hideout bar. The previous version was painted c. 2005.
Also included is a small board added next to the Defenders flute band board across the street, which presents the words of McCrea’s poem In Flanders Fields.
Pine Street, Donegall Pass, south Belfast
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“People make Sandy Row” – community artwork in Maxwell Street, Sandy Row, south Belfast
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“Common Sense: “There is no section of this divided Ulster community which is totally innocent or indeed totally guilty, totally right or totally wrong. We all share the responsibility for creating the situation, either by deed or by acquiescence. Therefore we must share the responsibility for finding a settlement and then share the responsibility of maintaining good government.” – John McMichael”
John McMichael, the South Belfast UDA/UFF commander, 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. The words above come from the end of the introduction to the second of these, Common Sense (available at CAIN).
Lemberg Street, south Belfast, replacing a previous mural to McMichael.
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“In loving memory of volunteer John Hanna, murdered by the enemies of Ulster 10th September 1991. Always remembered by the officers and volunteers South Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force. Lest we forget.”
UVF volunteer John Hanna was 19 years old when he was killed by the IRA as he tried to escape over his back-garden wall at his home on Donegall Road in the Village (UPI).
The small board to the left reads, “Volunteer John Hanna, 30th anniversary. Always remembered by the officers and volunteers South Belfast UVF. Sandy Row C Company.” On the side-wall, the poppies and the downcast soldiers come from the first World War but the names are all of modern UVF and RHC volunteers, from 1976 to the present day.
Prince Andrew Park, just off Donegall Road, south Belfast, replacing the printed board seen in He Died That We Might Live.
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“The lad from Sandy Row – Lewis (The Croc) Crocker, IBF welterweight champion 2025.”
Sandy Row native (Belfast CC) Lewis Crocker beat Paddy Donovan in a fight for the open IBF welterweight title at Windsor Park in September (BBC).
Donegall Road, south Belfast, at the top of Roden Street.
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This is a fiftieth anniversary (1974-2024) board celebrating the “Ulster Young Defenders F[lute] B[and], Sandy Row.” It is on the side of the Sandy Row Rangers Supporters’ Club, above a composite board of six old Sandy Row bars including the Shaftesbury Arms, the Albion, the Royal, the Sandhurst, and the Klondyke.
“In tribute to all UYD members, past and present.” ‘The Final Chapter'”
See also: a small UYD mural in 1990.
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“Loyalist Village, south Belfast – Village team on tour.” This is a new printed board at the eastern edge of the Village in south Belfast. The association with the Northern Ireland soccer team (governed by the Irish Football Association) is perhaps an attempt to rehabilitate the name from the graffiti that appeared in 2015 (Welcome To Hell) and 2016 (Taigs Will Be Dealt With).
There is a “Linfield” version of this board, in red, white, and blue, in Tavanagh Street.
The/An “I am not an Ulsterman …” board was originally in Kilburn Street – see the Seosamh Mac Coılle Collection.
For the Linfield/Northern Ireland mural in better days, see For Club And Country.
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The new Rangers supporters club in Donegall Pass is named after Alex “Doddie” MacDonald, who played midfield for Rangers from 1968 to 1980, which included the team’s victory in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1972. (A full biography can be found on the Rangers web site.)
The new board announces the “Alex MacDonald Loyal RSC (Donegall Pass)” and the photographs show various high-points in MacDonald’s career: “Signed for Rangers 19 November 1968”, “Hampden Park on 25 October 1975 when MacDonald scored the winner in the Old Firm League Cup final”, “Rangers hall of fame”.
Also included beneath the main board are the crests of “Southbank True Blues” and “Kirkintilloch RSC” (Fb).
Pine Street, Donegall Pass, south Belfast. Launched on September 13th – Facebook.
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This board in Donegall Pass mashes together not only Linfield and Rangers, but a Union Flag and Ulster Banner, and soccer with WWI soldiers making their way through barbed wire.
Pine St, south Belfast
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This is a colourful new mural painted by Cha Cha (Carla Hodgson) (ig) and local children at the Bankmore end of Maryville Street (BBC). Local landmarks (from left to right) include Nuala With The Hula (a.k.a. Beacon Of Hope), Broadcasting House, Samson and Goliath, the Albert clock, and the Big Fish, all in a garden of grass and flowers.
Maryville Street, Donegall Pass, south Belfast
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Paddy Duffy Collection 