The shamrock in the wreath represents the Irish divisions of the British Army in WWI – the 36th, the 10th, and the 16th. The Young Citizen Volunteers formed the fourteenth battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles and so part of the 36th (Ulster) Division during the first world war.
Benburb Street, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Paddy Duffy
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“Lay them away on the hill side/along with the brave and the bold/Inscribe their names on the role [sic] of fame/in letters of purest gold.” The Ulster Tower at Thiepval commemorates the WWI dead of the 36th (Ulster) Division. The words, however, come from a song about James Daly, who was executed by firing squad for taking part in a 1920 mutiny of the Connaught Rangers in India in protest of the activities of the Black and Tans.
Below the board is a roll of honour for the “UVF South Belfast 2nd battalion”: “A salute to the brave/to those men we hold dear/they fought for our freedom/south Belfast volunteers.”
Compare this mural to the previous (Here Lies A Soldier), which does not include any reference to the Great War.
On the side of The Hideout, Pine Street, Donegall Pass, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
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Glasgow Celtic football club was founded in 1888 by Brother Walfrid who is partially obscured here by a leaf to the left of centre. Joining him in the apex are (from left to right) Charlie Tully (of Belfast and Glasgow Celtic), Willie Maley (the first manager), [Wilfrid], Billy McNeil lifting the European Cup in 1967, Jock Stein (player 1951-1957 and manager 1965-1978). On the field are former players Henrik Larsson (1997-2004) and Jimmy Johnstone (1962-1965) on either side of the team “doing the huddle”.
Friendly Street, Markets, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2010 Paddy Duffy
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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 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
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
“Village, south Belfast, 2nd battalion, B company.” Young Citizen Volunteers of both the Home Rule (1912) and Troubles periods are shown shouldering rifles.
Broadway, Village, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
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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)
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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)
T00789
This is an in-progress image of the UVF/YCV mural in Walnut Street, Donegall Pass, south Belfast, being painted by Gareth Keys and already paint-bombed. For the completed work, see M01522.
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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
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