painted wall

Michael Stone

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The UDA’s Michael Stone killed three mourners at the funerals of the Gibraltar 3 in Milltown Cemetery in 1988 (16th March). UDA commanders denied that member Michael Stone was acting with their knowledge or approval. This east Belfast mural perhaps is a celebration of his release, under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, on July 24th, 2000. “His only crime was loyalty.”

The panel on the right reads, “The cold grey mists shall never set on Ulster’s fields/The Victor’s cup shall not be raised unless we yield/Our fighting men shall not retreat or bend the knee/Untill [sic] the day imprisoned souls are all set free.”

Templemore Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00637

Bloody Sunday Commemoration

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The fourth mural by the Bogside Artists (Visual History) shows the faces of the fourteen people who died on or as a result of Bloody Sunday, January 30th, 1972, shot by the “gun-happy louts” (as described by the Belfast UDA; Vanguard also called for their removal – see the entry for Robert McKinnie in Lost Lives) of the 1st Parachute Regiment; 15 more people were injured.

By row, the victims portrayed are:
Michael McDaid, John Young, Paddy Doherty
John Johnston (d. June 16th), Hugh Gilmour, Gerry Donaghy, Barney McGuigan
Gerry McKinney, William Nash, Kevin McElhinney, Jackie Duddy
Jim Wray, Michael Kelly, William McKinney

The portraits are presented within a circle of oak leaves – symbol of Derry – one for each person.

Westland Street, Bogside, Derry

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00357

Bernadette

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The second mural by the Bogside Artists (after The Petrol Bomber – Visual History) also depicts the battle of the Bogside and features Bernadette Devlin (later McAliskey). Devlin was elected to the British parliament in 1969 at age 21 and was imprisoned in December for her role in the August uprising. The mural reproduces a classic photograph showing Devlin with a megaphone in front of protesters and Free Derry Corner. It replaces another ‘Battle of the Bogside’ mural. The Bogside Artists explain the mural and its history in this short video.

Lecky Road, Derry

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00355

H-Block/Armagh

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The sixth mural from the Bogside Artists commemorates the 1980 hunger strikes, first in Long Kesh and subsequently in Armagh Women’s Prison. The main figure is Raymond McCartney; the female figure is perhaps Mary Doyle (the other two female strikers were Maıréad Farrell and Maıréad Nugent).

Rossville St, Derry

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00356

Cecil McKnight

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Cecil McKnight was a UDA/UFF volunteer, Orange Order member, and chairman of the UDP (Ulster Democratic Party) when he was shot dead at his home in Melrose Terrace by the IRA on June 29th, 1991. He is shown standing in front of a mural in the adjacent Ebrington Terrace circa 1990. 

Emerson Street, Waterside, Londonderry

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Copyright © 2001 Paddy Duffy
T00333 T00331

Tiger’s Bay

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“UFF 3rd battalion, E company.” “Welcome to loyalist Tiger’s Bay.”

The tiger was used in a 1988 mural in Hogarth Street/Adam Street without any mention of a flute band or paramilitary gang. The tiger here is flanked by two UDA/UFF gunmen in balaclavas and bomber jackets.

Cultra Street, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy
T00447

RHC C Company East Belfast

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A Red Hand Commando volunteer kneels in a garland of poppies. The quote on the left – “It’s not for glory or riches that we fight but for our people” – is based on the Declaration Of Arbroath and seen also in south Belfast (For Freedom Alone) and in Bangor (Remember Them Who Gave Their All). The Declaration was also used on one of the series of murals that can be seen, in part, to the left of the image above – see Ulster’s Freedom Corner.

The quote on the right – “Ulster’s destiny is in our hands; our grip is tight; we’ll never let go.” – appears to be original to the RHC.

Tower Street, east Belfast, replacing a version that had a solid white background.

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Copyright © 2000 Paddy Duffy
T00454