St Andrew’s Saltire – Page 3 – Paddy Duffy Collection

Here Lies A Soldier

2022-10-132026-08-30Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

RHC volunteer Stevie McCrea (born 31.5.52, killed 18.2.89) was imprisoned for his role in the killing of 17 year-old Catholic James Kerr in a Lisburn Road garage, on the same day as the RHC bombed Benny’s Bar in Sailortown. He was killed in an IPLO attack on the Orange Cross (the Shankill Social Club). This Village mural is the second tribute to McCrea this year – see also A True Soldier Of Ulster in the lower Shankill, near the former location of the Orange Cross in Craven Street.

The text on the board reads: “Stevie was raised in The Village Area of South Belfast. He was just a young man when The Troubles started but without hesitation answered the call by joi[ni]ng the Village RHC. He soon started making a name for himself by putting himself on the front line with his brothers in arms in the RHC. These men where [sic] one of the most active units in Ulster by taking the fight the republicans. In 1972 at the height of The Troubles Stevie was sentenced to life for his part in a retaliation shooting and was imprisoned in Long Kesh. After serving 15 years with dignity and courage he was released. On the 16th February 1989 just after receiving his last pay cheque [from a transitional work scheme] he decided to join a few friends in The Orange Cross Club in the Shankill area. This would be his last drink as republican scum decided to target the Loyalist club. Stevie sacrificed himself to protect his friend by throwing himself in front of a hail of bullets. Stevie died 2 days later from his injuries in the Royal Victoria Hospital.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01132 [T01133]

Blues Brothers

2022-09-182026-08-30Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Linfield FC are Irish Cup champions after a 2-1 victory over Larne last Friday (May 21st) (Belfast Live). They are also, as of Tuesday, premier league champions for the 55th time, matching Glasgow Rangers in Scotland for the most league championships in the world. (See previously: We Are The People | Respect Heritage Culture | Welcome To The Ulster Rangers | F*ck Your Ten In A Row | Terminus Rangers | 55)

For the “Finucane Family” tarp (on the wall since 2019), see Steeped In Blood. For the lower tarp, see Choose One Or The Other!

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T00921 [T00920]

HM Queen Elizabeth II

2012-07-312026-08-05Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“HM Queen Elizabeth II 1952-2012”. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952 (she was crowned in 1953). 2002 was her golden jubilee year. (See also Long To Reign Over Us.) The ‘sponsorship’ box read “This mural was commissioned by 1st batt A coy South East Antrim UDA UFF UYM.” but has been whited out and would later be painted over in black. It is undamaged in J1444.

Owenreagh Dr, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2011/2012 Paddy Duffy
T00654 [T00655]

Tiger’s Bay First Flute

2008-01-012026-08-03Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Tiger’s Bay First Flute, “Est 1983”. The emblem is in the style of the UDA emblem, and UDA members are listed on the side wall. For two of those listed, see Bacon and Baird. T[ommy] English was killed by the UVF in 2000.

Hogarth Street, Tiger’s Bay, north Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2008 Paddy Duffy
T00615

4,000 Years Of Ulster Scots

2000-01-012025-11-10Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“4,000 years of Ulster-Scots history and heritage. Ulster & Scotland – shared language, shared literature, shared culture.” 400 years takes us back to the plantation; 4,000 years suggests an even deeper connection.

Ulster-Scots was included in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (pdf) under the principle of support for “linguistic diversity”. This mural celebrating Ulster-Scots and ties between Northern Ireland and Scotland dates to 1999, with the crests of St Andrew and St Patrick on the left, and an Ulster Banner and Scottish lion rampant on the right.

“Dinnae houl yer wheest, houl yer ain!” [Don’t hold your tongue, hold your own!]

Templemore Street, east Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy
T00448 [T00449]

Red Hand Commando A Company

1998-07-012025-10-23Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Red Hand Commando A Company Shankill”. The plaque unfortunately cannot be read.

There was previously a board above the flag-pole holder, showing the same emblem but with “Scottish Brigade” instead of “Red Hand Commando”, against a St Andrew’s Saltire (D00029).

Glenwood Street, west Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1998 Paddy Duffy
T00261

Release Our Prisoners

1998-01-012025-10-23Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The scroll on the left between the emblems of the UDA, UYM, UFF and the Ulster banner reads, “In memory of our freedom fighters who fought and died for Ulster. It was not for glory they fought nor honour or riches but freedom alone which no good man should lose but with his life.” There is a pair of manacled red fists above the central UFF emblem, which itself rests on a free-floating outline of Northern Ireland superimposed with the Ulster banner. On the right is a crouching volunteer from A battalion, from south Belfast’s Sandy Row.

Linfield Road, south Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1998 Paddy Duffy
T00247

No 5 Platoon

1996-09-012025-10-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“No 5 platoon, A company, 1st battalion, Shankill, west Belfast”. Hooded gunmen crouch in front of a St Andrew’s Saltire and an Ulster Banner, with a UVF flag on top.

A plaque “in memory of a true soldier, Big Bill Campbell” was later added (see the Peter Moloney Collection).

Northland Street, west Belfast

Gertrude Star Flute Band

1996-01-012025-09-22Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“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

George Seawright

1994-01-012025-09-18Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Murdered by the enemies of Ulster Nov 1987. “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life” – Revelation 2 V.10″

Controversial DUP and later independent politician and preacher George Seawright served as city councillor and NI Assembly member from 1981 to 1986, when he was jailed for his role in physically attacking NI Secretary of State Tom King. The “enemies of Ulster” in this case are the IPLO.

Side-wall: “In remembrance of all those who have given their lives and their freedom in the struggle to keep Ulster Protestant.”