Shaped By Sea And Stone

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Brussels artist iota (ig) painted a mermaid in Larne, inspired by the local myth of Lí Ban (NI World), who was caught in nets in Larne Lough and baptised by Christian monks (WP). 

With support from the Recovery Revitalisation Programme for town centres, administered here by Mid And East Antrim Borough Council (web) in consultation with Daisy Chain (tw), Seedhead Arts (ig), and FGB (ig).

See also Lí Ban in Bangor: Sea-Born.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02809 [T02808]

50 Years Unbroken

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Cloughfern Young Conquerors flute band (Fb) was founded 50 years ago this year – 1973, the same year as the UDA began using the name “UFF.

The ‘wigned-maiden harp’ emblem is used on both sides. With “Quis separabit” is the Royal Irish/Ulster Regiment/Rifles, but perhaps the UDR is intended. On the left, the style and surround imitates the emblem of the UDA; the right-hand side reproduces a former mural to the UDA’s John “Grug” Gregg and Rab Carson on the nearby gable – see Gregg & Carson. Gregg was a bass drummer in the band; he and three other bandsmen were fined in 1997 for assaulting police officers at an Apprentice Boys march (Bel Tel). Gregg was shot, along with Carson, in 2003, in the feud with Adair’s west Belfast C Company (WP).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02818 T02816 T02817 T02814 [T02815] absent friends lest we forget

A Fighter For Our Freedom

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Sergeant John Kernohan. Service No. 7011935. The youngest of a family of ten, John enlisted with the Royal Ulster Rifles in 1932, then transferring to the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers in 1942 serving King, Queen and Country for 22 years. The record of his service exhibits great variety, both in regimental affiliation and in location with a service record which was exemplary. John saw service in Hong Kong, Palestine, France, Belgium, India[,] Austria and Malaya, where with the R.A.S.C. for distinguished service was mentioned in dispatches, his name appe[a]ring in the London Gazette of May 1950 [May 19th, 1950, page 2489, “in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st July 1949 to 31st December 1949″; Royal Army Service Corps, Corporal Kerohan].”

The medals from left to right are: General Service – Palestine ribbon, 1939-1945 Star, War Medal, Burma Star, Defence Medal

Drumahoe Gardens, Millbrook, Larne.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02798 T02799 [T02800] T02801 sign-link.ni

An Astounding Achievement

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

There’s a new King Charles III board in Boyne Square, Larne, of a similar sort to those we have seen in various other areas and using the same “lounging” image of Charles as in east Belfast, Carrickfergus, and the Caw (Londonderry) – though the quote is different: “My mother never ceased to pray for the best times for Northern Ireland and its people” (source unknown). The celebration of the 1914 gun-running that was on the wall previously (see Amazing Night In Larne) has been moved to the side wall, replacing King Billy.

“Operation Lion – a fascinating snapshot of an historical moment. The Larne gun-running was a major operation organised in Ireland by Major Frederick Crawford and Captain Wilfred [sic] Spender for the Ulster Unionist Council to equip the Ulster Volunteer Force. The operation involved the shipment of almost 25,000 rifles and between three and five million rounds of ammunition, with shipments landing in Larne, Donaghadee and Bangor in the early hours between Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April 1914.”

“Taking its name from the S.S. Clyde Valley that landed at Larne Harbour on 24th April 1914, Clyde Valley Defenders Flute Band were formed in 1995, with several of our founding members still marching with the band today. Following several years on the raod, the band were then renamed Clyde Valley Volunteers, before later being constituted as Clyde Valley Cultural & Musical Society (Clyde Valley Flute Band). The formation of Clyde Valley was much more than that of establishing a flute band. The band’s aim is to promote the Protestant culture through the teaching of music and history, whilst proudly remembering the sacrifices made by our forefathers. The Officers and Members of CLyde Valley Flute Band dedicate this mural to the role of the men and women in the Larne Gun-Running on 24th April 1914. They were Gunrunners.”

For the plaque and the Central Antrim Regiment see Central Antrim Regiment.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02812 [T02811] T02813 T02810 “falce marique potens” is the motto of Larne

Ballymena And Larne Railway

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“This mosaic depicts the history of the narrow gauge railway from Larne harbour to Ballymena which ran through this site.” The railway from Larne to Ballymena operated from 1878 to 1933 (WP). In Ireland, the narrow gauge railway was 3ft in width (compared with the modern standard of 5′ 3″).

Narrow Gauge Road, Larne.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02803 T02804 T02805

Spread The Love

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“100% less hate”, says street artist FGB (ig), ruthlessly taking over a site of Hallion’s Covid-era graffiti (see Inspiring Belfast | Between The Lines | It Hasn’t Gone Away You Know). Will an east-Belfast turf-war result? Or will both parties just move to the Vault’s new digs down-town (and in the Shankill)?

The mural’s design was previously a paste-up and a sticker (seen in a 2019 post) and a print (ig).

Newtownards Road at the old Westbourne Street. 

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02775