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Always On Our Minds Throughout The Year

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“Loyalist culture – unbowed, unbroken.” The Sydenham Bonfire is constructed annually on the Inverary playing field and there is now a mural announcing the group who build it, to go along with the bonfire’s Facebook page. The phrase “unbowed, unbroken” has been frequently seen in CNR muraling, beginning with a 1996 mural in Lenadoon.

There is a memorial plaque in the top left: “Dedicated to Reece (Leeper) Leeman. To our friend that we hold dear, hard to believe that your [sic] not here. Thankful our memories won’t disappear. Always on our minds throughout the year.” Leeman, aged 21, was stabbed to death in 2019 (BBC) when he and a friend attempted to raid cannabis from the Kyle Street house of an aquaintance (ITv | News Letter).

Inverary pitches and bowling green, Sydenham, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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1916

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Demolition of Rathmoyne House and Coolmoyne House – the tower blocks at Seymour Hill – began in July (NIWorld | Belfast Media). Their rubble can be seen in the background of a new trio of boards on the railings, with freshly repainted Union Flag and Ulster Banner, and a new arched memorial to the dead of the Battle Of Albert on the first day of the Somme. The central poster reads, “1st July morning 1916 the brave men of the 36th (Ulster) division went over the top.” and the Maid Of Erin emblem of the Royal Irish Rifles appears on the left and the Red (right) Hand of the 36th (Ulster) Division on the right.

Kingsway (facing Rowan Drive), Dunmurry

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Shore Crescent Bonfire

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Shore Crescent prepares for Eleventh Night with a bonfire and a large sign explaining the positive impact of the tradition:

“Shore Crescent bonfire – a proud loyalist tradition. Standing firm in our heritage, our loyalty & our values. Faith – loyalty – respect – heritage. [The bonfire …] Celebrates our heritage – honours our history, culture and the sacrifices made by those who went before us; strengthens our community – brings families, friends and neighbours together, building unity, pride and a sense of belonging; affirms our loyalty – a clear and proud expression of our loyalty to the Crown and the United Kingdom; educates & remembers – teaches future generations the importance of our traditions and the true meaning behind them; promotes respect & pride – shows respect for our values and beliefs and promotes pride in being Loyalist; supports local [groups] & raises funds – helps support local groups, charities and initiatives that make a real difference; secures our future – by standing together today, we protect our identity, freedom and way of life for tomorrow. One tradition. One community. One loyal people. Shore Crescent loyal.”

Next to Loughside Playground, Shore Road, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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An Ideology Of Hate

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Here are four flags from “Ulster Carrickfergus Loyalists [Fb]” attached to the fencing at the top of Woodburn Avenue in Carrickfergus. For (limited) background on the UCL, see No Illegal Migrants.

First, “Ulster loyalist – unite and fight.” with a fiery-eyed skull (reminiscent of Eddie The Trooper).

Second, “We are united as one & united we shall remain. Never surrender.” with the flags of the “four nations” that make up the current United Kingdom.

Third, “Christ is king. Stand up to radical Islam. Islam is not a race – it’s an ideology of hate.”

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Remembered With Pride

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“Remembered with pride – Stevie McCrea, Village, south Belfast”. A plaque has been added below the large board describing Stevie McCrea’s life in Kilburn Street (seen in 2022’s Here Lies A Soldier, which includes the text on the board).

Also included below are close-ups of the plaques to McCrea and Sammy Mehaffy in Tavanagh Street, (seen together in Village UVF).

Village, south Belfast

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Every Night All The Men Would Come Around

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“The loyalist community will protect its residents and homes from: thieves, paedophiles, unwanted graffiti & domestic abusers.” The list of crimes makes no reference to denomination or ethnicity, but “loyalist” and the combined Union Flag (which is incorrectly rendered) and Ulster Banner suggest that the threat comes from those who identify insufficiently with the UK.

Possible background: BBC | LCR (Fb) | BBC

Corcrain Drive, Portadown

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Ulster Says No!

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This is the scene at the Corcrain-Redmanville bonfire (Fb) site, along Drumilly Green, where the hut has been moved to the south side of the Green, to join the Union Flag and Ulster Banner.

The 2025 bonfire topped 100 feet in height (News Letter); collecting for the 2026 pyre has yet to begin.

Westland Road, Portadown

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Village Team On Tour

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“Loyalist Village, south Belfast – Village team on tour.” This is a new printed board at the eastern edge of the Village in south Belfast. The association with the Northern Ireland soccer team (governed by the Irish Football Association) is perhaps an attempt to rehabilitate the name from the graffiti that appeared in 2015 (Welcome To Hell) and 2016 (Taigs Will Be Dealt With).

There is a “Linfield” version of this board, in red, white, and blue, in Tavanagh Street.

The/An “I am not an Ulsterman …” board was originally in Kilburn Street – see the Seosamh Mac Coılle Collection.

For the Linfield/Northern Ireland mural in better days, see For Club And Country.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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