On the left (“perception”) it seems as though three youths are thieving and spraying graffiti on a wall; in fact, on the right (“reality) they are picking up litter and removing graffiti.
High Street, Newtownards
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04804 T04805 T04806
Feminine Touch (web) is a beauty and tanning salon in High Street, Newtownards; the mural is on the side-wall, in Lower Mary Street.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04803
This is an election-campaign sticker in High Street, Newtownards, alleging co-operation between the Alliance party (whose signature colour is yellow) and the IRA, whose signature colours are the colours of the Tricolour (News Letter premium).
A similar campaign was waged in 2019 (Dunfermline Press | Jersey Evening Post).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04802
The UDA began using the “Ulster Freedom Fighters” name from February 1973 onwards in order to avoid the UDA becoming a proscribed organisation, though its members had already killed dozens of people in 1972 and January 1973 (WP timeline). (Fifty Years Of Service (in Ballymoney) marks the fiftieth anniversary – in 2021 – of the UDA.)
The tarp shown above likewise conflates the UDA and UFF, with two images from 1972, before the “UFF” name was used; on the left, the men marching behind a van marked “UDA Patrol” are on the Shankill Road (BelTel); on the right, four men stand at a barricade in the Woodvale (Victor Patterson).
The images in the second tarp show (left) a bus blocking Agnes Street and four men blocking the Shankill Road (Getty – no date given) and (right) a 1975 march in Belfast (Som Tribune).
The UDU board immediately below was seen previously in Ulster Defence Unions.
Glenbrook Road, Glen estate, Newtownards.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T04440 [T04441] [T04442] T04443 T04444 [T04445] [T04446]
Here is a complete set of the street art in Meetinghouse Lane, Newtownards, mostly produced during an October 2021 jam, though the Glen Molloy (ig) piece above pre-dates that. The other pieces are by Kerri Hanna (ig), Mr Fenz (ig), Emic (ig), Matthew Knight (ig), Carla Hodgson (ig), Danni Simpson (ig), ?kairos?, Irony (ig), RAZER (Fb) & NOYS (ig), NRMN (Gerry Norman ig), Friz (ig), Annatomix (ig) (the squirrel’s name is Derek), Rob Hilken (ig), FGB (ig), Zippy (ig), Alana McDowell (ig).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T03424 T03425 T03426 T03427 T03428 [T03429] T03430 T03431 T03432 [T03433] T03434 T03435 T03436 T03437 T03438 [T03439] T03440 T03441 T03442 [T03443]T03444
“It is not for riches, fame or glory that we remain in the shadows of our community , but for its protection.”
These words are echoed on the central stone in the garden of reflection, with adjacent North Down UDA roll of honour: “‘Who shall separate us?’ Right up to the present day, these words have been the inspiration and motivation of numerous men and women to serve, fight and die for the defence of their homeland, its people and its heritage. This selfless action is not for riches, fame or glory, but is freely given out of a love of freedom, commitment to the faith and culture of our nation, and a desire that all future generation in all communities can live in peace.”
Movilla Street and Wallace’s Street, off Upper Movilla Street. “Loyalist Movilla” in Newtownards.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T03423 T03422 T03421 T03420
“This garden of reflection is paying tribute to the men and women who have lost their lives in all wars and conflicts, past and present, here in Northern Ireland and throughout the world, in the hope that one day we can all live together, side by side in peace regardless of religion, colour or creed.
“‘Who shall separate us?’ Right up to the present day, these words have been the inspiration and motivation of numerous men and women to serve, fight and die for the defence of their homeland, its people and its heritage. This selfless action is not for riches, fame or glory, but is freely given out of a love of freedom, commitment to the faith and culture of our nation, and a desire that all future generation in all communities can live in peace. Their sacrifice, commitment and dedication will always be appreciated and will never be forgotten.”
“In our past the soldiers fought, for freedom and for pride, some of them were wounded, many of them died. With poppies we remember the soldiers that have died, with them we now have freedom, because they fought with pride. There they lie in Flanders Fields, where bright red poppies grow. In the war they fought for, and that we’ll always know. Freedom is never free.”
This is another UVF wall in Bowtown and this one is North Down rather than East Belfast – see previously Bowtown UVF | Your Local Supplier | North Down UVF | The Cause Will Always Remain The Same.
Abbot Crescent, Newtownards
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02214
Here is a gallery of UVF stencils and boards in the Westwinds estate. Despite being in Newtownards, the UVF here is allied with the East Belfast brigade, rather than the North Down brigade – see Belfast Live for background.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02177 T02178 T02179 T02180 [T02181] T02182 [T02183] T02184
T02195
Bowtown (Newtownards) marks the passing of Elizabeth Windsor in September, 2022, at the age of 96 and after 70 years as monarch of the United Kingdom and various Commonwealth realms, with two boards at the junction of Abbot Drive and Movilla Road: “Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II – the Bowtown est[ate] thanks you for your service 1926-2022.” “Her majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 – grief is the price we pay for love.”
Previously: Your Local Supplier.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01567
Paddy Duffy Collection 