The mask of “revisionism” covers the face of “truth” reading the book of “Irish history”. Originally painted in 1996 by Ciaran McKeirnan, Brian O’Loan, and Donal Daly, son of IRSP leader Miriam Daly, who was killed by the UDA in 1980, and to whom the title quote is attributed.
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00189 T00179 [T00203]
“Volunteer Tom Williams, executed 2.9.42 age 19. A lad who still lied within a prison wall.” Williams was the leader of a unit from C company, 2nd battalion, Belfast IRA, that killed RUC Constable Patrick Murphy. Williams took sole responsibility, hoping that it would save the lives of the other seven (including two women) who had taken part in the ambush. The six men were jointly convicted of the killing but only Williams was ultimately hanged, after appeals from Ireland (not yet officially ‘The Republic Of’), the Vatican, and the US State Department (RN). He was buried on the grounds of Crumlin Road gaol (and his coffin would eventually be exhumed and reburied in Milltown in 2000).
This is the second Tom Williams mural at this spot; the first was painted in 1992; both were painted by Gerard “Mo Chara” Kelly. There is a plaque to Williams above his front door in Bombay Street.
Kashmir Road, west Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00178 T00168
This Falls Road board is a comment on the “traditional routes” taken in Garvaghy (Portadown) and Ormeau (south Belfast) and other small towns (Enniskillen, Dunloy, Castlederg, Ros[s]lea, Keady, and Bellaghy) by the Orange Order – which now pass through CNR areas.
The horse comes from Nuada And Indech At The Second Battle Of Moytura by Jim Fitzpatrick but its rider has been changed from a Celtic warrior to an Orangeman wearing the cloak and hood of the Ku Klux Klan. The landscape is from his The Tuatha Dé Assemble For Battle, with stones turned into skulls. For more on Jim Fitzpatrick’s art in murals, see the Visual History page.
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00167
The flag on the left is the UVF flag with “1912” in the corner, referring back to the Ulster Volunteers. The flag on the right lists WWI battles – Somme, Ypres, St Quentin, and Grandcourt are showing, while Arras, Thiepval, Messines, and Fricourt are probably hidden – under the title “Monkstown East Antrim”; men from the area joined the Central Antrim/12th battalion of the RIR.
Cloyne Crescent, Monkstown, Newtownabbey
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00244
“Nothing great and durable can be created without the presence of an elite – UDA/UYM/UFF” The quotation seems to be a UDA creation, used here of the Dee Street, East Belfast, UFF.
Meekon Street/Mersey Street, east Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00245
“We are the pilgrims, master – we shall go always a little further” is a line from James Elroy Flecker’s verse poem Hassan and is inscribed on the clock tower of the the Hereford barracks of the SAS (WP). It is used here by hooded gunmen from “East Belfast” Ulster Volunteer Force.
Armitage Close, east Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00240
Although currently on ceasefire, hooded gunmen from UVF 1st Battalion/West Belfast C Company are armed ready to defend the Shankill.
Carnan Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00242
“Still defending Ulster – we will always be ready. 1912 – 1969. To the politicians: words are not enough for the peace and freedom of the children and the people of Ulster “deeds and actions”. To our volunteers: the supreme sacrifice is to lay down your life for your country. Some have given everything, others have yet to give.”
The modern volunteer, while hooded, is not in an active pose, reflecting the ceasefire. The word “to the politicians” perhaps express frustration with the peace process (and hint at the continued violence of the LVF, created after the dispute in July at Drumcree).
Kenilworth Place, east Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00151
“Their only crime was loyalty – release all loyalist prisoners”. Red Hand Command (UVF) mural in Severn Street, east Belfast.
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy (no date given)
T00150
“Consolidate the peace – release east Belfast’s loyalist prisoners”. As for republicans, the release of political prisoners – specifically UDA prisoners in this case – was for loyalists the most immediate potential benefit of the peace process. “We forget them not – LPA”
Harvey Court, east Belfast
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Copyright © 1996 Paddy Duffy
T00148
Paddy Duffy Collection 