cultural

The Making Of America

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“The Ulster-Scots and the making of America” is a new mural in Carrickfergus celebrating the impact of Ulster-Scots (or, Scotch-Irish) emigrants to the colonies that became the United States.

On the left and right of the main gable (above), the arrivals are shown expanding the territories as they travel in a covered wagon and as embodying Appalachian culture in the form of “old time” (fiddle and banjo) music. (For the Ulster-Scots as frontiersmen, see Ulster Sails West in Ballymoney.)

In the centre are images of space travel, the rocket (perhaps the Saturn V) is heading to the moon (shown in the apex of the wall), upon which Buzz Aldrin walked in the 1969 mission on Apollo 11.

(These are the same themes as deployed in the new mural for the 250th anniversary of the United States in the Shankill – see We Lead Across Time And Space.)

The tartan pattern is called “Ulster Scots” (Tartan Register). The emblem combining a thistle and two red hands within a circle of shamrocks appears to be original work. The Great Seal of the United States was designed by Charles Thomson from Maghera; his contribution is commemorated in his home town.

For the UDA mural to the left (in the final image), see None Shall Divide Us.

Woodburn Avenue, Carrickfergus

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Alternative Ulster

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There is a ‘blue plaque’ outside the Trident bar in Bangor’s High Street, to commemorate its role in the punk movement of the late 1970s (BBC | Guardian). The bands listed on this painted electrical box are Ruefrex (web), Stiff Little Fingers (web), Rudi (Something Hard), The Doubt (Irish Rock), The Androids (Spit), The Outcasts (Faster & Louder).

The bar is referenced in the SLF song “Alternative Ulster” (lyrics). Despite the claim that “there’s nothing for us in Belfast”, there is a plaque remembering the punk scene outside the Harp Bar – see Belfast Has The Reason.

By Cha Cha (ig), one building up from the Trident (Wolsey’s), High Street, Bangor

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Clann Lır

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This scene from the story of Clann Lır (the Children Of Lear) appears to be the moment that Aoıfe casts a spell that turns her four step-children into swans on Loch Daırbhreach.

Painted by Loretta Lizzio (web) at the same time (2023-09) as her Dark Dreamer on the Oldpark Road, just below the first Cliftonville roundabout.

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Echoes Of The Ulster-Scots

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“Echoes of the Ulster-Scots across the United States Of America”, “The Ulster-Scots … their footprints and songs graced the Appalachian Trails.”

These four panels are the first stage of a longer “pioneers to presidents”-style mural (Visual History) on Ulster-Scots (or, Scotch-Irish) emigration in the 1700s to the British colonies that in time became the United States.

Upon arrival at eastern sea-ports, many of the Scotch-Irish headed west across the Allegheny mountains and down into the Appalachians. By 1790, it is estimated, 6% of the population (or almost 200,000 people) of the recently-created United States Of America were (ultimately) from (nine-county) Ulster, a combination of Scotch-Irish, Celtic-Irish, and English-Irish (American Historical Association).

These four panels are in North Howard Street, west Belfast. As can be seen from the wide shot below, the mural will soon be extended around the corner into Fifth Street. (Update: see We Lead Across Time And Space.)

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Be Proud Of The Lads Of Millbrook

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“Millbrook remembers – they gave their all for our freedom.” Here is a new installation in the Millbrook area of/just outside Larne, celebrating and commemorating the sacrifice of locals who lost their lives while serving the British forces during the World Wars.

The Great War 1914-1918:
“Be proud of the lads of Millbrook, who at the bugle call/put on the Country’s armour and rushed to duty’s call
They have gone to beat the Kaiser, we are sure they will succeed,/To drive him out of Flanders, And Belgium shall be freed!
Their names shall live in history, Their names we will adore,/And Ulster shall be proud of them, when they return once more.”

On the left are three medals: Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred (that is, the 1914 Star, for service in France or Belgium, the War (service) medal, and the Inter Allied Victory medal) (Identify Medals), with the ‘Dead Man’s Penny’ on the right.

The names on the headstone between the two World War panels are [from WWI] John Blair, David Linn Ritchie, Robert Erskine, Wesley Campbell, James Steele, Samuel McKay, Robert McFall, Thomas Kirkpatrick, Samuel George Mathers, Charles McNally, William John Kirkpatrick, Daniel McMichael, [from WWII] Cyril Cecil Whitley, William Magee. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you – Deuteronomy 31:6”

Second World War 1939-1945:
“Here inscribed the names of friends we knew, Young men with whom we often flew
Scrambled to many angels high, They knew that they or friends might die
Behind each name a story lies, of bravery in summer skies;
Though many brave unwritten tales, were simply told in vapour trails
Many now lie in sacred graves, and many rest beneath the waves
Outnumbered every day they flew, Remembered here as just ‘The Few'”

The medals on the right are the Burma Star, Defence Medal, and the War Medal, with the RAF brass cap badge on the left.

Along the main road in Drumahoe Gardens, Millbrook, Larne.

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Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
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Sword Beach, June 6th 1944

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The plaque in the bottom-right corner reads, “Dedicated to Sergeant George Arthur Horner 27/03/1927 Royal Ulster Rifles 14464865 — “Carrickfergus’ Oldest Veteran” and to all other veterans who served in HM Armed Forces.” Horner turned 99 a few days after this mural of D-Day was unveiled (on March 22nd) and he was awarded the freedom of Mid- And East-Antrim Borough (web). He served in the second battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles, and landed on Sword Beach during the D-Day landings in June 1944 (Fb).

Painted by DanK (web) in Carnhill Walk, Castlemara, Carrickfergus, replacing 100 Years Of The Covenant.

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All Gave Some

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This entry updates a similar entry from 2022 with images and close-ups of the now-faded red and orange paint in the mural on the back wall of the “36th (Ulster) Division Victoria Cross Memorial Garden”.

For close-ups of the board picturing the WWI VC winners, see The Dead We Honour Here. “‘Throughout the long years of struggle … the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die’ – King George V, 16th November, 1918”

St Leonard’s Crescent/old Newcastle Street, east Belfast

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Scrabo Flypast

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The poppies in this new mural suggest WWI, but the “pants” over the wheels of the planes shown here as they pass Scrabo tower suggest a post-war plane (or a modern light aircraft).

Painted by Blaze FX with Housing Executive support in Abbot Drive, Newtownards, (Bowtown CDG Fb) replacing a gallery of five UVF boards.

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The Dunlop Dynasty

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This Ballymoney mural celebrates and commemorates members of the Dunlop family of motorcycle racers. From left to right we see brothers Joey and Robert and then Robert’s sons William and Michael. Joey died in a race in Estonia in 2000; Robert died in 2008 of injuries sustained in a practice session for the North West 200; William died in 2018 in a crash during practice for the Skerries 100. Michael is still alive and currently aged 36; he was Irish Motorcyclist Of The Year in 2025 (BelTel).

This mural was painted by Oliver McParland (web) in Castlecroft Square, Ballymoney.

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