Belfast south

To Bathe The Sharp Sword Of My Word In Heaven

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South Belfast MP Robert Bradford was assassinated by the Provisional IRA in Finaghy at a meeting with constituents; the caretaker of the community centre, Ken Campbell, was also killed by the fleeing attackers. Taking place in late 1981, with the hunger strikes having ended only a month before, the killing was noted around the world and raised fears of broad civil unrest (BBC | NYTimes). The board above serves as a substitute for an earlier mural to Bradford on the adjacent gable wall.

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01081

Defenders Of The Pass

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Young Conquerors Flute Band mural in Pine Street, south Belfast, connecting the band to local soldiers who died in WWI. The two boards to either side show a photograph of the original Donegall Pass Defenders Flute Band, which lasted a short time in the 1970s before the formation of the Conquerors in 1977 (Fb). The second shows the patch of the band.

Video of the launch at the Young Conquerors Fb page.

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01079 [T01080]

Death’s Parade Ground

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The bugler in period uniform and the language of the poem are reminiscent of WWI but all of the UVF mural, roll of honour, and reproduction of an old YCV mural refer to the modern UVF and in particular to William Millar [sometimes given as “Miller”], Bobby Morton, and Tommy McAllister. Millar and Morton were ambushed by the RUC on the 16th of March 1983 – Millar died and Morton was injured (Long Kesh Inside Out). Millar was included in an old Cregagh mural – see C00956). Morton died in 2016 (Young Conquerors), hence his portrait shows him as an older man. The same is true of McAllister’s portrait, though no information about him is readily available.

“As the bugler blows/O’er the graves in rows/As reveille sounds/Over death[‘]s parade ground/Where our fallen comrades lie/With our standards proud/Once their deathbeds shroud/We will come from far and near/To salute our dead/And the roles they played/With the Ulster Volunteers.”

The mural was launched on March 19th (ACT) in Pine St. Below the new mural are a roll of honour and a board reproducing a former mural by Gareth Keys one street over, in Walnut Street – see The Young, The Brave, The Fearless.

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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Belfast Dockers And Carters Strike 1907

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“Not as Catholics or Protestants, not as nationalists or unionists, but as Belfast workers standing together.” For the 100th anniversary of the strike by dockers and carters in Belfast, this large board was painted by Fra Maher and Rısteard Ó Murchú. It was launched on August 11th without the title across the top (youtube).

Leaders Boyd and Larkin are portrayed in the middle. The second panel shows speakers (including Larkin) on a platform (O’Hare); the third shows an RIC guard of blackleg workers – about 70% of the force mutinied and the fifth panel shows dismissed RIC constable William Barrett being carried through Belfast; the sixth shows the Cameron Highlanders being stoned by picketers (History Ireland). Margaret Lennon and Charles McMullan, two Catholic victims of British soldiers, shot during protests, are portrayed in the bottom right.

Northumberland Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
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In Loving Memory

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“In loving memory South Belfast Brigadier John McMichael, South Belfast UFF commander Joe Bratty.” Listed on the tombstones are Steven Audley 17 Mar 91, Harry Black 30 Sep 92, Jim Kenna 25 Jul 72, Frankie Smith 31 Jan 73, William Kingsberry 13 Nov 91, Stephen Kingsberry 10 Mar 97, Ernie Dowds 10 Oct 95, Sammy Hunt 5 Sep 76, Raymie Elder 31 Jul 94, William Hamilton 9 Sep 94, Tommy Morgan 29 Aug 94.

Lemberg Street, south Belfast, replacing the volunteers in tracksuits.

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00790

Village Eddie

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A Visual History page details the various appearances of Eddie The Head in his guise as a Red Coat soldier-cum-UDA volunteers. In this Village Eddie, he carries an assault rifle and wears a UDA skull-cap, but, as in the Iron Maiden album cover, is trailed by the Grim Reaper. For the “reaper come to call” verse added to the right, see M02487.

“Village, Donegall Rd, Ormeau Rd, Roden St, Lisburn Rd, Sandy Row” – South Belfast A battalion

Tavanagh Street, Village, Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00639

John Hanna

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UVF volunteer John Hanna was 19 years old when he was killed by “the enemies of Ulster” (the IRA) at his home on Donegall Road in the Village. The kneeling volunteer on the left carries a WWI regimental flag, connecting the modern UVF to the Ulster Volunteers.

The plaque at the centre of the mural reads, “In loving memory of Vol. John Hanna, murdered by the enemies of Ulster 10th September 1991. Always remembered by the offices and volunteers of 2nd Batt. “B” Coy Village. Its [sic] not for riches nor for glory but the love of one’s country which [we] are prepared to die for. Here lies a soldier. Gone but not forgotten. FGAU.”

Broadway, Village, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00638

Village UDA

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“Death is not an honour but a sacrafice [sic] and those who gave that sacrafice [sic] are remembered by those who follow. All gave some, some gave all. Quis separabit.” Village UDA C company volunteers in balaclava pose with assault rifles around an Ulster Banner in the shape of Northern Ireland.

Rockview Street, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
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