Union Flag – Page 12 – 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

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Copyright © 1997 Paddy Duffy
T00230

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

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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00149

Fág Ár Sraıdeanna

1995-01-012025-09-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This is a mural on Whiterock Road, west Belfast, bidding “Slán Abhaıle” to a British soldier who is himself standing on Whiterock Road in front of the 1916 mural (Who Fears To Speak Of Easter Week?).

In the medallions to the left and right are four demands from during the (first) ceasefire: “End collusion, Release POWs, Disband RIR RUC, End Unionist veto”.

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Copyright © 1995 Paddy Duffy
T00105

Turning The Screw

1995-01-012025-09-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A tricoloured screw bears down a helmet comprising a Union Flag bowl and Ulster Banner visor.

Foyle Road end of Brook Street, Derry

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Copyright © 1995 Paddy Duffy
T00104

Time For Peace, Time To Go

1995-01-012025-09-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A Cormac cartoon is reproduced as a mural by Mo Chara Kelly: the ceasefire means that doves (“Time for peace”) can/should be carrying British soldiers (who themselves recognise it is “Time to go”) from Ireland (tricoloured, with dolmen) to Britain (with Union flag) over the Isle of Man.

Whiterock Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1995 Paddy Duffy
T00099

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.”

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Copyright © 1994 Paddy Duffy (undated image; possibly 1993)
T00228

Pride Of Windsor

1990-07-012025-09-16Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Pride Of Windsor was formed from members of the Donegall Road Protestant Boys (Belfast Forum). It’s not clear how long the band lasted after being formed in 1989 and this mural in 1990. The mural features Carrickfergus castle between St Andrew’s Saltire and Union Flag. “Audaces fortuna juvat” [fortune favours the bold] is the motto of Linfield FC.

Lisburn Road, south Belfast

Rev Robert Bradford

1990-07-012025-09-15Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

South Belfast MP Robert Bradford was assassinated by the Provisional IRA in Finaghy at a meeting with constituents; the caretaker of the community centre, Ken Campbell, was also killed by the fleeing attackers. In late 1981, with the hunger strikes having ended only a month before, the killing was noted around the world and raised fears of broad civil unrest (BBC | NYTimes).

“Vita, veritas, Victoria” [life, truth, victory] is the motto of Londonderry. Here we have “vita, veritas, victa” [life, truth, conquered; perhaps the intended meaning was “conquering” rather than the passive]. The crest is also not quite the crest of the Apprentice Boys, with a ship in the bottom right rather than a skeleton. Get in touch if you can resolve either discrepancy.

UDA A Battalion South Belfast

1990-07-012025-08-30Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The mural at the corner of Roden Street and Donegall Road was repainted annually in 1989, 1990, and 1991. The first (see the image from 1988) lacked the McMichael memorial seen here and the white background only went half-way up the wall; the second completed the background, added LPA and UDF emblems and “In memory of John McMichael” in text (see C00525). This third iteration places the McMichael memorial and the attendant graveside mourners on a bed of grass.

Ireland First, Ireland Last, And Ireland Over All

1990-07-012025-08-30Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A revolutionary soldier raises the Irish Tricolour while trampling on a Union Flag on a broken mast that was perhaps attached to the poorly drawn GPO in the background. The card on which the image is based can be seen below.

On the right hand side are the Easter lily and halberds/pikes and an assault rifle, indicating the historical roots and present-day inheritors of the 1916 revolt.