hood/mask/balaclava

We Await In The Shadows

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Ten years after ending its armed campaign, the Red Hand Commando in 2017 applied to be de-proscribed, on the basis that it had given up its arms in 2009 and transformed itself into an ‘old comrades association’ (see the emblem in the bottom left of the wide shot) (BBC | NewsLetter). According to this mural, however, B company is ready to reform in response to those who “play with peace”, fifty years later (or so – the mural claims the group was founded in 1970; other sources give 1972 (WP cites Peter Taylor).

“50 years has passed/We were forced to don our masks/Don’t play with peace/Or attack our land/We await in the shadows/B Coy Red Hand”

Replaces the ‘99.9% need not apply‘ RHC mural.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
[T01316] T01317

Defending Freedom From Hate

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Compared to the UVF, the UDA more strongly detect an existential threat to loyalism and evince a siege mentality that provokes the need for armed resistance. Hence the more frequent presence of armed gunmen in UDA murals (which is also due in part to the UVF being able to “re-image” around the Ulster Volunteers and the Somme). With Brexit and the Protocol, however, armed gunmen have recently been appearing more frequently in UVF murals – see, for example, If Our Shores Are Threatened | Bang Up To Date | Our British Identity.

“Springmartin–Highfield–Glencairn Ulster Defence Association est. 1971. Defending freedom from hate.” As the companion mural (We Will Take Nothing Less) makes clear, the hate is coming from a “fascist republican enemy” (“Sinn Féin/IRA”, presumably) and the government of Ireland. Graphically, this mural is the same as the previous one on this wall: Under The Protection Of The UDA.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2024 Paddy Duffy
T01245

As Proud Men

Extramural Activity1 Comment

“Where so ever, how so ever or whenever we are called upon to make our exit, we will do as proud men.” This is quite a different message from the one produced within the Rathcoole estate for the 50th anniversary of the Red Hand Commandos, which stated that despite its venerable age, the four Rathcoole companies of the RHC “Await In The Shadows“. (That mural also depicted the kneeling men with sticks (on the left of today’s mural) and the linked post also contains the original photograph.)

It’s not clear who or what within loyalism might call upon the RHC to stand down; loyalist rhetoric at the moment is full of anger at the protocol and warnings/threats about of a return to violence (e.g. BelTel | BBC).

For the use of “Lamh Dear Abu” as the slogan, see Ulster Says “Tá”.

O’Neill Road, Newtownabbey.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01234

Rathfern UDA

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This entry updates the Rathfern UDA mural at the entrance to Cloughfern estate, painted in 2015 with only the name of John “The Reaper” Gregg listed on the right. Rab Carson’s name was added last year (2021) after his widow’s bid for compensation – which included the claim that Carson was not in the UDA – was denied (BelTel | BelTel). The pair had equal footing on the previous mural (see Gregg & Carson).

Both were members of South East Antrim brigade. Gregg waged a campaign of terror against Catholics in the area and was reputedly associated with British neo-Nazi groups. He and Carson were killed on February 1st, 2003, while returning from a Rangers match, on orders from Johnny Adair (of the West Belfast brigade) after Gregg and other brigade bosses voted to expel Adair from the UDA in October 2002. (Irish Examiner)

Knockenagh Drive, Newtownabbey

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022/2025 Paddy Duffy
T01231 [T06774] T06775

South East Antrim UDA

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

There are both UDA and UVF murals along Devenish Drive in Monkstown. Here we have a UDA hooded gunman, along with insignia and mottoes of the UFF/UDA/UYM. The UFF/UYM with a red hand closed into a fist, the open palm of the UDA; UFF – Feriens Tego; UYM – Terrae Filius; UDA – Quis Separabit.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01225

Our British Birthright

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This pair of UVF boards are on the wall of the Fern in Rathcoole and right next to the UDA markings seen in Rathcoole UDA. Included in the 1st East Antrim are both local areas (Carrickfergus, Ballyduff, Ballyclare, Greenisland, Glengormley, Monkstown, Rathcoole, Larne, Whitehead) and affiliated British units (Drumchapel (Glasgow, Scotland), Blackpool (England), Corby (England), Paisley (Scotland), Liverpool (England), Possilpark (Glasgow), Blairgowrie (Scotland), Falkirk (Scotland), and Springburn (Glasgow)) of the 1st East Antrim Battalion, “The people’s army”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
[T01216] T01217 T01218

Dignity And Pride

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The UVF mural dedicated to Colin Caldwell on Derry Hill in Rathcoole was repainted in 2016 and a mention added of “Marky” Mark Quail — who has a separate mural a short distance away — added on a (painted) ribbon. The mural shows two hooded volunteers — from the 3rd [north] Belfast battalion and 1st east Antrim battalion – aiming rifles; the previous mural (X00512) showed volunteers mourning beside a memorial stone. “We salute all volunteers at home and on the mainland who served with dignity and pride.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01209

Honour, Service, Sacrifice

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The backdrop to the Red Hand Commando memorial garden in Rathcoole has been repainted (compare with the final image, below) with the emblem of the “Red Hand Comrades Association” (for background see We Await In The Shadows). “The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s faith, community and country. [George S. Patton, Jr.] Honour, service, sacrifice.” With the names “N[orman]. Williamson, L. Orr, S. Wasson, N. Anderson, A. Moore.” (Anderson and Moore are new additions, compared to M16237 and M16236, below;

For the plaque to Williamson on the main mural see the Peter Moloney Collection.

It is in the same colour-scheme as the main wall, which is now fading somewhat: Founded in 1970, “To this day our principles remain the same: to protect the loyalist community, to retain our Britishness. It is not for glory or riches we fight but for our people. Lamh Dearg Abu.” The mural shows the “Rathcoole Elite” unit (1st Batt., B. Coy) of the Red Hand Commando, complete with four masked men each bearing weapons.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
T01207 T01208 [T01206]

Copyright © 2019 Peter Moloney
M16237 M16236