Carrickfergus

William & Catherine

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“William & Catherine, prince and princess of Wales, baron and baroness of [sic] Carrickfergus.” Prince William was granted the title of “Baron Carrickfergus” upon his marriage to Catherine Middleton in 2011; he was also made Earl Of Strathearn and Duke Of Cambridge (royal.uk). The couple visited Carrickfergus in 2022 (NI World), shortly after Charles acceded to the throne and William gained the title of Prince Of Wales.

Larne Road, Eden

h/t Alain Miossec

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Generation To Generation

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Here are two new small boards on the fence where Hawthorn Avenue and Sandes Court meet between Woodburn and Sunnylands. Above, “Remembering our fallen everyday [sic]” with images of soldiers from the World Wars and UVF emblems in the corners. Below, an Ulster Grenadiers flute band (Fb) board, similar to the large board mounted last year (2024) in St Bride’s Street – see Never Forget, Always Remember.

The main board, on the gable beyond – “Loyalist Woodburn celebrates 100th anniversary Northern Ireland” – and Captain Sir Tom Moore remain as in 2022’s entry – see Maintain The Union.

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If England Drive Us Forth

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Rudyard Kipling’s 1912 poem ‘Ulster’ (Kipling Society) predicts destruction for Protestants under Home Rule and calls for violent resistance, even if it means sacrificing one’s own life: “Believe, we dare not boast/Believe, we do not fear/We stand to pay the cost/In all that men hold dear”.

As is well known, the Ulster Volunteers were founded and smuggled in weapons, but before they could be used, the Great War began and the Volunteers signed up for Kitchener’s Army – the flag on the left includes the battles in which the Central Antrim Regiment of the Royal Irish Rifles (as part of the 36th Division) participated, fighting “For King and Empire”.

The graveside mourner on the right, the 1st East Antrim Battalion UVF, and all of the smaller panels on the right, belong to the Troubles era. There is no information about Jim Curran in 1975; the image of Curran’s funeral appears to be AI-generated.

In The Larches, Carrickfergus, replacing the mural and boards seen in Comply With Your Country’s Demands.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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When Death Flies Swift

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“Sergeant 14/17063 Thomas George Wortley ‘D’ Company 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Young Citizen Volunteers). Killed in action 7th June 1917 Battle of Messines. Buried C.10 Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery.”

Wortley was born in Carrickfergus and lived in Belfast. He (and James Sharpe, also from Carrick) was killed on the first day of the battle at Messines (findagrave) and buried in a small cemetery of British soldiers, many from the 36th (Ulster) Division, in Spanbroekmolen on the Ypres Salient in Flanders (WP) – shown in the mural. He is remembered in Carrickfergus with a parade each year on the date of his death (carrickfergusrollofhonour).

The medals in the top left are Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred (that is, the 1914 Star, for service in France or Belgium, the War (service) medal, and the Inter Allied Victory medal) (Identify Medals). The ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ memorial plaque (WP) appears next to the gravestones.

The Larches, Carrickfergus, replacing a painted version.

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Breaking The Siege

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English forces under Kirke came to the aid of the besieged Protestants in Derry, “breaking the boom” across the Foyle and ending the siege at the end of July, 1689. The next wave of forces sailed for Belfast Lough, and together with the troops from Derry, set siege on August 20th to a garrison of Jacobite forces stationed in Carrickfergus castle, who soon began to run low on gunpowder, and surrendered. (WP | NIWorld)

This new board in Davy’s Street, Carrickfergus, focuses mostly on the siege of Derry, though gives the dates of the Carrickfergus siege at the top. Schomberg appears in the top-left quadrant of the board – he would go on to die on at the Boyne in 1690; in the top-right is the Carrickfergus castle and the Mountjoy; in the bottom-left are Walker’s statue and the canon ‘Roaring Meg’; bottom-right is a painting of the Derry inhabitants celebrating the end of the siege; top-centre is the coat of arms of William and Mary; and bottom-centre is the Londonderry coat of arms.

Replaces a trio of small UVF boards.

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Welcome To My Castle

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This entry updates the images seen in Kragfargus Cultural Corner, which now includes a portrait of Catherine (“Kate”) Middleton, Princess Of Wales and Baroness Carrickfergus (no “of”), alongside the tribute to King Charles III. The other person with a castle is Mr Tayto, who appears in the montage of famous faces on one of the NI 100 boards (fourth image).

Taylor’s Avenue, Carrickfergus

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The Glorious Revolution

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The story of William in Ireland has been a recent favourite in PUL displays (e.g. Newtownabbey | Carrickfergus | Shankill); this version is novel in adding a letter from June 30th, 1688, both in transcription and facsimile, under the heading of the “Glorious Revolution”. In it, the “Immortal Seven” tell William, the Prince Of Orange, that 95% of English people want a change in monarch. William arrived in England in November, 1688, and in Ireland in June, 1690.

The Williamite Trail (from October) joins an earlier tribute (June) to Elizabeth II on the years of her silver, ruby, gold, diamond, sapphire, and platinum jubilees (1977, 1992, 2002, 2012, 2017, and 2022).

For another combination of William and Elizabeth, see Elizabeth, Queen Of Orange.

This sub-station is the site of the infamous “Join The UDA” mural of 2015 (one | two).

Oakfield Crescent, Oakfield/Glenfield, Carrickfergus

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Forever

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“Forever in our heart: HM Queen Elizabeth II, April 21, 1926 – September 8, 2022” and “Greenisland celebrates King Charles III, coronation 6th May, 2023.” Charles assumed (“acceded to”) the UK throne immediately upon the death of Elizabeth in September, in order to maintain the monarchy’s unbroken rule; it was not announced until the morning of the 10th (WP) and the coronation ceremony took place eight months later.

Glenkeen Avenue, Greenisland.

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