Belfast

Children Of Lear

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In Irish mythology, the four children of Lear – Aodh, Fıonnghuala, Fıachra, and Conn – were turned into singing swans for 900 years by their step-mother Aoıfe, who is seen on the left riding away from the site of her stepchildrens’ metamorphosis at Loch Daırbhreach (in modern Co. Westmeath). They are then restored to human form by a Christian monk but, being 900 years old, die immediately.

“Lır” (in Irish) is the genitive of (the Irish) “Lear” and the story is often referred to in Irish as “Clann Lır“; neither “Lear” nor “Lır” is pronounced like the English “(King) Lear”.

Crocus Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00166

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

Travellers

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The immediate reason for this mural depicting traveller life is unknown. In 2006 (ten years after this mural) there were about 24,000 travellers living on the island of Ireland (WP | 1995 Report on travellers in Ireland (archive.org) | a good summary of the 2011 and 2016 numbers (CSO pdf).) About 2,000 were living in Northern Ireland, some at a site on the Glen Road (RTÉ has video from the site in 1987) close to this mural in Rossnareen.

Replaces the Alosa/Fuıseog mural.

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00183

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

Still Undefeated

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“UVF – 1912-1994 – still undefeated”. The UVF joined the ceasefire in October, 1994, and since this image is from 1996 and this mural continued to exist until 2002 (including a repainting in 2000 – see D00981) we can take it as an expression of continued readiness for armed violence, without any mention of “compromise” or of being “prepared for peace“.

The UVF did not continually exist from 1912 onward – see UVF 75th Anniversary.

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00147