Newtownabbey

Portrush Flyer

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The Portrush Flyer is a steam-engine train service operating (since 1973) between Belfast and Portrush on Sundays during the summer months. The mural, in Ards Park, Monkstown, replaces a UFF mural dating back to 2001. Shown is engine ‘No. 85’ (which is just one of the engines that have been used; for images of ‘No. 171’, ‘No. 4’, ‘No. 85’, and ‘No. 131’ dating back to the 1970s, see SteamTrainsIreland) passing under one of the “new” viaducts (for more info, see Geograph). For an image of the mural’s 2019 launch, see Newtownabbey Times.

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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On The Occasion Of Her Platinum Jubilee

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“The people of Rathcoole send their sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the historic occasion of Her Platinum Jubilee.” The Monday at the end of May is usually a bank holiday in the UK, but this year it is being postponed until the end of the week and combined with an additional one to create a four-day weekend beginning this Thursday in celebration of the 70th (“platinum”) anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth on February 6th, 1952 (the coronation was on June 2nd, 1953).

The mural centrally shows an official portrait from 1992, wearing the orders of George VI and George V; the four medallions show Elizabeth at her birth, her coronation, “trooping the colour” on her birthday, and 70th wedding anniversary in 2017.

With support from RATH (Rathcoole Achieving, Transforming, Helping each other) and Dalaradia (web). For another Dalaradia board in Rathcoole, see Dalaradia; for a Cú Chulaınn version of the Dalaradia board, see Defending Ulster From Gaelic Attacks.

Clonmore Drive, Rathcoole

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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As Proud Men

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“Where so ever, how so ever or whenever we are called upon to make our exit, we will do as proud men.” This is quite a different message from the one produced within the Rathcoole estate for the 50th anniversary of the Red Hand Commandos, which stated that despite its venerable age, the four Rathcoole companies of the RHC “Await In The Shadows“. (That mural also depicted the kneeling men with sticks (on the left of today’s mural) and the linked post also contains the original photograph.)

It’s not clear who or what within loyalism might call upon the RHC to stand down; loyalist rhetoric at the moment is full of anger at the protocol and warnings/threats about of a return to violence (e.g. BelTel | BBC).

For the use of “Lamh Dear Abu” as the slogan, see Ulster Says “Tá”.

O’Neill Road, Newtownabbey.

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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Rathfern UDA

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This entry updates the Rathfern UDA mural at the entrance to Cloughfern estate, painted in 2015 with only the name of John “The Reaper” Gregg listed on the right. Rab Carson’s name was added last year (2021) after his widow’s bid for compensation – which included the claim that Carson was not in the UDA – was denied (BelTel | BelTel). The pair had equal footing on the previous mural (see Gregg & Carson).

Both were members of South East Antrim brigade. Gregg waged a campaign of terror against Catholics in the area and was reputedly associated with British neo-Nazi groups. He and Carson were killed on February 1st, 2003, while returning from a Rangers match, on orders from Johnny Adair (of the West Belfast brigade) after Gregg and other brigade bosses voted to expel Adair from the UDA in October 2002. (Irish Examiner)

Knockenagh Drive, Newtownabbey

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Copyright © 2022/2025 Paddy Duffy
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The Somme 1916

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The ‘Liverpool No. 4 battalion’ UVF mural in Tynan Drive, Monkstown, (seen previously) has been replaced by a Dee Craig (Fb) mural to the soldiers of the Ulster Volunteers (see the ‘bleeding hand’ symbol in the apex) at the Somme. The small plaque on the fence to John Webster (a.k.a. Webber), Lee Irwin & Steven Cook, remains.

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Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
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