Above is a detail from a mural in Carlingford St, showing gravestones of two deceased locals: “6322 Private J. Condon, Royal Irish Regiment, 24th May, 1915, age 14” and “10/16015 Rifleman S. Thompson Royal Irish Rifles, 5th October, 1918”. Their gravestones are the end-point of a journey that began with the Covenant and the Ulster Volunteers (illustrated by images of Carson, the Covenant, gun-running, and Volunteers drilling).

(The same path is depicted in the mural on the other side of the street – see The Road To The Somme Begins.)

On the side-wall are the words of Captain Wilfrid Spender, describing the first day of the Battle Of The Somme, 1916: “I am not an Ulsterman but yesterday the First of July, as I followed their amazing attack, I felt that I would rather be an Ulsterman than anything else in the world. [My pen cannot describe adequately the hundreds of heroic acts I witnessed, the Ulster Volunteer Force, from which the Division was made, has won a name that equals any in history. Their devotion deserves the gratitude of The British Empire.]”

A wide shot of the whole, as well as a close-up of the plaque and wreathes, is below. See also: Attack From Thiepval Wood.

“In 1912 Ulster was under the threat of Home Rule, Sir Edward Carson called upon the people of Ulster to resist and almost half a million men and women signed a covenant to pledge their support. The U.V.F. was formed, militarily trained and armed with thousands of guns that were smuggled into ports on board ships such as the SS. Clyde Valley. Disciplined units of armed volunteers would soon be seen on the streets of Ulster, sending out a stark warning to those who would seek to force the Home Rule bill through. 1914 saw the outbreak of WW1 and when Britain called, Sir Edward Carson put aside his differences and offered the services of the U.V.F. His offer was accepted and 13 battalions of the U.V. F. were amalgamated with 3 existing Ulster based Irish regiments to form the on the 36th (Ulster) Division. On the 1st july the Ulster Division played their part at the Battle of the Somme and although they achieved their objectives they had suffered over 5,000 casualties. As the war raged on the Ulster Division fought nobly and bravely and on many occasions side by side with Irishmen who would once have been their bitter enemies, but faced with battle they were brothers in arms. The Ulster Tower now stands beside Theipval [sic] Wood in France as a fitting monument in recognition of the sacrifice made by these brave Ulstermen … “Pass not this spot in sorrow but in pride that you may live as nobly as they died” For God and Ulster”

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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00804 X00805 X00806 Cosy Somme Association east belfast

Two murals confront each other on Carlingford Street, east Belfast. Here is one, showing a map of the area, a statue of Carson, and a group of volunteers. Detail and close-up of the plaque below.

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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00803 X00802 X00801 carson’s volunteers we will not have home rule willowfield unionist hall 28th sept 1912 3,242 sign the ulster covenant road to the somme begins; this mural is dedicated to the men and women of in the 3rd bill was introduced and passed by parliament and although defeated 3 times by the house of lords it was sent for royal assent over 200,000 unionists attended a rally at balmoral including the orange order and unionist clubs which had marched from the city center; here they were addressed by among other sir edward carson leader of the irish unionist party on 28th september nearly 500,000 men and women signed; factories and shipyard in belfast were idle and silent allowing their workers the opportunity to attend church and then to congregate at the city hall; some in their own blood; they then formed into the 2nd battalion of the regiment u.v.f. commanded by dr. william gibson; drilled and trained that was situated about half a mile from this spot; with the onset of WW1 in 1914 these same volunteers stood to the fore to defend the empire as the 8th battalion in the 36th ulster division; many did not return but their bravery and honour will forever be remembered; they went with songs to the battle they were young straight of limb true of eyes steady and aglow they were staunch to the end against odds uncounted they fell with their faces to the foe they shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them