Union Flag – Paddy Duffy Collection

Ulster Day

2026-07-072026-07-20Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“We won’t have Home Rule.” Here is another view of the “Ulster Day” board seen previously in a gallery of five others. The heroes of the anti-Home Rule movement are Edward Carson (left) and James Craig (right). Carson and Craig were the first and third people to sign Ulster’s Solemn League And Covenant on September 28th, 1912.

For Ballymena during the Home Rule crisis, see History Ireland.

A few months later, in January 1913, the pair would found the Ulster Volunteers. The flags of the third (left) and second (right) battalions of the Central Antrim regiment of the Ulster Volunteers are in the bottom corners – see The Central Antrim Regiment. Ballymena men, however, joined the first battalion.

Painted by Dee Craig and mounted in Queen Street, Harryville, Ballymena.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Shore Crescent Bonfire

2026-06-302026-07-02Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

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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Dieu Et Mon Droit

2026-06-272026-07-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

That is, king or queen “by the grace of God” or divine right. The first UK monarch to use the phrase was Henry V in the early 1400s and it has been used as a royal motto since then, up to and including the present-day monarchs shown on this board in the Caw, Londonderry.

On the left, the past – Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; in the centre, the present – His Majesty King Charles III; on the right, the future – William Prince Of Wales, Baron Of [sic] Carrickfergus.

The Welsh dragon is included alongside the three flags/crests that make up the Union Flag – St George’s Cross for England, St Andrew’s Saltire for Scotland, and St Patrick’s Saltire for Ireland.

For the same trio in Newtownabbey, see Past, Present, Future.

Replaces the William MacFadzean board in Kinsale Park, Caw, Londonderry.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Pride Of Lord Street

2026-06-142026-06-18Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The association of lions with the English monarchy goes back to Henry II and his sons Richard (“the lionheart”) and John (WP). Why they were represented by lions is unclear; it perhaps stems from the prominence of lions in the Bible and the Lion Of Judah from Genesis 49:9.

These lions, somehow carrying Union Flags, are in Lord Street at Lord Street Mews, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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I ❤️ Belfast

2026-05-062026-05-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“I ❤️ Belfast”, “Love conquers all”, “Stop war”. These are works by London pair Nathan Bowen (ig | web store) and ThisIsLostBoy (ig), in Bruce Street and High Street.

See previously in Castle Street: Pledge For Positivity which contains links to more Bowen pieces.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Shared Space

2026-04-292026-06-23Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

These UVF and UDA board are on adjacent walls at the entrance to the Glen estate, Newtownards; above and directly below, a North Down UVF and graffiti, while directly above it (final image) two UDA hooded gunmen take aim at the viewer on the pavement.

Also in Glen: a UVF hooded gunman at the bottom of the estate – Neighbourhood Watch – and UDA gunmen at the top of the estate – Hope That It Will Get Better.

Remembered With Pride

2026-04-262026-05-12Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“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

Our Wee Town

2026-02-122026-02-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

These placards for two local flute-bands are on light-poles in Markethill: above, the Kilcluney Volunteers flute band (Fb), below, the Markethill Protestant Boys (Fb). The crossed rifles and RIR emblem, and the graveside mourner and poppies, are WWI imagery; Markethill men joined the second battalion of the Armagh brigade of the Ulster Volunteers and (in the Great War) the ninth battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. (See also UVF 3rd Battalion Armagh in Tandragee).

Main Street, Markethill, Co Armagh