political – Page 7 – Paddy Duffy Collection

Love, Marriage, And Country

2023-10-152026-08-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This Castlemara, Carrickfergus, board is notable for its background, which follows that of old coronation and jubilee portraits. These would show the royal couple (and sometimes immediate family) in plush surroundings and standing in front of chairs. This style of composition has been seen in murals of George V’s jubilee in 1935 and George VI’s coronation in 1937 — see Visual History 01. In this board, however, Philip and Elizabeth are portrayed in old age and are not in coronation gear; the chairs shown are from the Throne Room in Buckingham Palace.

Also notable is that the board replaces a UDA mural – see Joint Manoeuvres. The other UDA mural in the estate — Carrickfergus Eddie — has also been replaced.

For the UVF/YCV gunmen in the background of the wide shot, see Out Of The Trenches.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Royal Visits To Carrickfergus

2023-10-152026-08-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

William was granted the peerage “baron Carrickfergus” as a wedding present in 2011, which made Catherine/Kate baroness (WP). They visited the town in 2022 (BBC). The black-and-white photograph on the left is of Queen Elizabeth visiting in 1961 (youtube).

Replaces the kids mural We Are Friends in Hawthorn Avenue, Carrickfergus.

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100 Years Of The Covenant

2023-10-152026-03-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The mural above uses the text of the Ulster Covenant, signed in September, 1912, as a backdrop to a composite of two photographs from 1914, showing Edward Carson speaking and a row of Ulster Volunteers, which were formed in January 1913.

Alain Miossec/Murals Irlande Du Nord has an image of the previous printed version, which is almost identical, apart from Stormont as a backdrop rather than the text of the Covenant.

Painted by Dee Craig (Fb) in Carnhill Walk, Castlemara, Carrickfergus.

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The Crown

2023-09-192024-08-27Extramural Activity1 Comment

Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 and after 70 years as monarch of the UK. She was succeeded by Charles III.

“1926-2022 ERII. “Thank you” from the residents of Ballee [Ballymena]”.

The mural is by Craig “Chilli” Gilmore on Ballee Way, above UDR Checkpoint and The Lion Wears The Crown. The in-progress shot is from April.

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Look Back With Pride

2023-09-112026-08-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Queen Elizabeth II, her sovereign majesty, 1926-2022. ‘I believe that, young or old, we have to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back [on] with pride.'”

This is the mural that controversially replaced the infamous ‘Rathcoole towers’ UDA mural that had stood for more than 20 years in Bencrom Park (see South East Antrim UFF). Apparently, some people thought Queen Elizabeth was not hard-line enough (BelTel).

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Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
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Bill Of Shame

2023-09-092026-08-31Extramural Activity1 Comment

“Stand against the legacy legislation – state murder is murder! – bill of shame”

The UK parliament adopted the “Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023” on Septetmber 6th and it became law on the 18th, preventing future inquests and civil cases. Twenty challenges have been lodged against the bill and a hearing is due to begin on November 20th with a primary focus on whether or not the bill is compatible with the European Convention On Human Rights (ITv | BBC). In the meantime – prior to the May 1st, 2024 deadline — the Springhill-Westrock inquest continues on Monday (RFJ).

This mural showing Lady Justice gagged but with a raised fist, by Iliana Edwards (ig), is on a wall outside the offices of Relatives For Justice (web).

Update: February 28, 2024: The High Court has ruled against the Act (BBC).

See previously: a call to a rally in August.

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Leaders Of Unionism Against Home Rule

2023-09-032025-03-11Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Carson, Crawford, and Craig are lionised as resisters of devolvement of Ireland to Dublin in the early twentieth century. Despite calling Home Rule “the most nefarious conspiracy that has ever been hatched against a free people” and vowing to fight it by “all means necessary”, including the Ulster Volunteers armed by Crawford’s “guns for Ulster”, Edward Carson “warned Ulster Unionist leaders not to alienate norther Catholics, as he foresaw this would make Northern Ireland unstable.”

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With Voice, Pen, Or Hand

2023-09-032026-08-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“With voice, pen or hand we will defend our land.” David (Davy) Patterson (12-10-1955 – 03-01-2019) was a member of the 1st East Belfast Rangers Supporters Club (Fb) and Albertbridge Glentoran Supporters Club (Funeral Times). This memorial board is the side-wall to the Somme Society mural (see Their Name Liveth Forevermore) and the Red Hand Commando memorial garden in Hunt Street, east Belfast.

Faith, Blood, Service, Sacrifice

2023-08-132026-08-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here are three images from the blind end of Montrose Street, east Belfast, updating a post from November last year (Loyal Servants) with the addition of the boards above, on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the final image below, which puts the new King Charles III between Queen Elizabeth and King William III.

England Get Out Of Ireland

2023-08-112026-08-31Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Irish-language rappers and provocateurs Kneecap (web | ig) unveiled another mural in Hawthorn Street yesterday afternoon ahead of their Falls Park gig last night.

The entry on last year’s mural (Níl Fáılte Roımh An RUC), Incendiary Device, included a shot of the sticker that has been turned into this year’s mural. The sticker, in turn, is based on a vintage mural painted in Strabane (England Get Out Of Ireland) and Belfast (Stad Maggie Anoıs).

Replaces the large GAA board.