“Rathcoole Red Hand Commando – The elite – Be the best – 99.9% need not apply.”
Derrycoole Way, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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99.9% Need Not Apply
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Colin Caldwell
Memorial mural and plaque to the UVF’s Colin Caldwell. “In memory of a fallen comrade, Colin Ralph Caldwell, murdered, Crumlin Road jail, 28th November 1991. 3rd Belfast battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force. Lest we forget.” The bomb had been planted by the IRA, killing the UDA’s Robert Skey immediately (November 24th) and Caldwell, from his wounds, a few days later on the 28th. A flute band was named in Caldwell’s memory and had a board across the street: Colin Caldwell Memorial FB. Derry Hill, Rathcoole.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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South East Antrim UFF
The four landmark high-rise buildings in Rathcoole – seen in the background of this nearby UDA mural – are called Abbotscoole, Carncoole, Glencoole and Monkscoole. Listed on the left-hand side are various areas in the South East Antrim brigade – Rathcoole, Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley, Whitewell, C’Fergus, Greenisland, Ballymena, Whitehead, Antrim, Larne – plus Shore Road.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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HM Queen Elizabeth II
“HM Queen Elizabeth II 1952-2012”. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952 (she was crowned in 1953). 2002 was her golden jubilee year. She is surrounded by the flags of the four constituents of the UK: Northern Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland.
There was previously a “scroll” below the portrait reading “This mural was commissioned by 1st batt A coy South East Antrim UDA UFF UYM.” This has been painted over in black but the UFF and UDA emblems remain.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Families Against Supergrass Trials
Families Against Supergrass Trials was formed to protest the first supergrass trial in 26 years (after the system collapsed during the trial), to begin on September 8th, related to the killing of Tommy English (Belfast Telegraph | BBC | BBC). The banner above is in Donegall Pass, the one below is on the Mount Vernon flats. There was another in Newtownards Road (Irish News). (And in 2012, one in Spier’s Place/Shankill Rd.)
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Randalstown Heritage
Randalstown remembers its history as an industrial town in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a linen factory that employed a thousand people in the 1930s (BBC). The first Heritage board is in Moore’s Lane; the second is in New Street (at the Market House).
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Loyalist Randalstown
“This plaque was presented by the officers and members of the Randalstown Sons Of Ulster flute band on Saturday 17th April 1999 in memory of all the loyalist people of Ulster who have suffered at the hands of the enemies of our land.” All of the plaque, the arch, the ground painting, and the 36th Division board are sponsored by the Randalstown Sons Of Ulster flute band (tw). Neilsbrook Road, Neilsbrook Park, and Blackthorn Way, Randalstown. For more images from the estate, see Loyalist Neilsbrook.
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Young Conway Volunteers Presents
Saturday 25th June (Whiterock night) Young Conway Volunteers Presents a loyalist cabaret evening and disco, featuring various bands, Ulster Rangers Supporters Club, Shankill Road.” The flute band is associated with the local , with murals to both the flute band There are murals on either side of Conway Street at Conway Walk to both the YCVFB (featuring Thomas and Noel Kinner) and the associated 5th platoon (UVF).
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Mussen Cortège
“Richard Mussen joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th foot) at the age of 15. At the outbreak of the Zulu wars he volunteered for active service and was transferred to the Second Battalion The South Wales Borderers (24th foot). At the outbreak of the Great War he joined the 9th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles and with him went his 4 sons and 2 sons-in-law. His son Richard (junior) was killed at the Somme on Thursday 21st March, 1918 and is remembered at Pozieres Memorial. Richard Mussen was buried from 22 Dundee Street [which was just above Agnes Street] on 29/12/1936 and was accorded full Military Honours. He was laid to rest in Belfast City Cemetery.” (From the accompanying plaque.)
Here is a short NVTv documentary about Mussen, including (at 12m25s) the image on which the mural shown here is based. The mural was done with spray paint by artist Sam Bates a.k.a. SMUG. It was unveiled on June 24th, 2011.
For some close-ups and the plaque, see the 2016 post.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Homecoming Parade
“MOD deny our troops a well deserved homecoming parade. We as a community need to stand together as one and show our support for those who have sacrificed their lives and served this Country. Please show your support for these brave servicemen and women at Belfast City Hall on Sunday May 22nd 2011. Everyone will be meeting at 12 noon at the Shankill Memorial Gardens and walking to Belfast City Hall. If you care be there.”
For a little background, see this BBC article.
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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Extramural Activity 