Newtownabbey – Page 8 – Paddy Duffy Collection

Ulster’s Finest

1997-04-012025-10-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

There are two unusual features of this UVF mural in Monkstown: the six volunteers are unmasked – so, this is not a “hooded gunman” mural – and two of the volunteers – the pair in the centre carrying, though not aiming, Uzis – are female. As far as we know, this is the only PUL mural showing armed females. (See the Visual History page on women in murals and muraling.)

The records of this mural are contradictory – this image in the Paddy Duffy Collection is dated April, 1997; other, less reliable, sources give 1999 as the date of its creation and say it was plastered over in 1996 (Xitter). All of this confusion, and its limited appearance in the various collections, suggests that this was a short-lived mural, perhaps because the Uzis, assault rifles, and RPG were being brandished next to Hollybank primary school.

Hollybank Park, Monkstown, Newtownabbey

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1997 Paddy Duffy
T00230

Cloughfern Young Conquerors

1996-09-012025-10-11Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Hooded UDA gunmen at the entrance to the Rathfern estate.

There is also Cloughfern Young Conquerors flute band mural on the other side of Knockenagh Avenue, Newtownabbey.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00225

UVF 1st East Antrim Battalion

1996-01-012025-10-17Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The flag on the left is the UVF flag with “1912” in the corner, referring back to the Ulster Volunteers. The flag on the right lists WWI battles – Somme, Ypres, St Quentin, and Grandcourt are showing, while Arras, Thiepval, Messines, and Fricourt are probably hidden – under the title “Monkstown East Antrim”; men from the area joined the Central Antrim/12th battalion of the RIR.

Cloyne Crescent, Monkstown, Newtownabbey

36th (Ulster) Division

1996-01-012025-10-17Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“In remembrance of the 36th (Ulster) Division – For God and Ulster”. “1912” (on either side of the UVF emblem) refers to the founding of the Ulster Volunteers, who went on to join the 36th Division of the British Army, fighting at “Albert, Beaucourt, Thiepval, Grand Court, Passchendaele, Somme, Courtrai, Ypres, Cambreai [Cambrai], Rossieres [Rosières], Flanders, Baitleul [Bailleul], St Quentin, Beaumont[-]Hamel, Sch waden [Schwaben] Redoubt, Fricourt, Messines”. The stone in front reads, “At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.”

Cashel Close, Monkstown, Newtownabbey