Belfast north

Defending Ulster From Gaelic Attacks

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“The Annals of the Four Masters record that in 665 AD, the Battle of Farset (Belfast) took place between the County Down Dal Fiatach, self styled Ulaid, and the Pretani or Cruthin where Cathasach, son of Laircine, was slain. This was an attempt by the Dal Fiatach to encroach on the Curtain territory of Trian Congail. The “third of Congal”, which encompassed territory on both sides of the Lagan, corresponding more to less to Uppers and Lower Clandeboye, including modern Belfast. Cathasach was Congal’s grandson. The battle was the first mention of Belfast in Irish history.”

The battle scene shown is Jim Fitzpatrick’s vision of the battle of Moira (in 637), rather than “Bellum Fertsi”. The salience of this description of intra-Ulster fighting is that there is a contention that the Cruthin were Scots (Picts) thus allowing for the idea (employed especially by the UDA – see Ulster’s Defenders and Defender Of Ulster From Irish Attacks) that present-day northern Protestants have a heritage, and a history of fighting for what is roughly Co. Antrim, that pre-dates the plantations. For more information and a similar board, featuring the tower blocks of Rathcoole rather than Cuchulainn and the Battle of Moira, see Kingdom Of The Pretani. For the debate over a connection to the Picts, see WP.

The Annals date back to the 1630s though they mostly comprise a variety of earlier sources.

The image of the gentleman with the sword appears to be a stock fantasy image, used for at least two characters in Game Of Thrones fandom (Rhaegon Targaryen and Lord Cameron Umber).

For the celebration of Rangers and the NI team, see Respect, Heritage, Culture.

The board on the right reads “Centenary of cultural expression 1921-2021. Sons Of Belfast LOL 743. Castleton Temperance LOL 867. The Memorial LOL 1197. Belfast Harbour LOL 1883. The Coote Memorial LOL 1921. Cave Hill Temperance LOL 1956.”

For the Crusaders FC mural, see The Northern Crusades.

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100 Years

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The fourth “Home Rule” bill, formerly known as the “Government of Ireland Act” was passed by the 11 November, 1920, and came into effect on May 3rd, 1921, partitioning Ireland into Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland (WP). There has been little to mark the centenary, perhaps due to distraction from Brexit and the DUP leadership change. The flag shown above celebrates the creation of the North, showing, clockwise from bottom left, the Crown, the Union Flag, King William at the Boyne, and Orangemen parading.

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Exit From Brexit

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The Ulster Banner flies at the bottom of the Limestone Road above a (new but possibly pre-dating the NI Protocol) hand-made ‘Brexit’ sign.

Previous ‘Brexit’ signs around Tiger’s Bay: Brexit Loyalists

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All Heart

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The cut-out Orange symbols at the ‘Tiger’s Bay’ corner of the Limestone Road (see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever) are almost four years old. Here is the Union flag heart in the top left.

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The Headless Horseman Of North Belfast

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“Gordon ‘Galloper’ Thompson – the headless horseman of North Belfast …. The Gordon ‘Galloper’ Thompson mural has been designed and created by young people from the Tiger’s Bay, New Lodge and York/Shore Rd areas of North Belfast as part of the CIRCA project delivered by Arts for All. … According to local legend, Gordon Thompson claimed that if he died and didn’t get into heaven, he would come back to haunt his ancestral home of Jennymount. An apparition of a man on horseback (with his head tucked under his arm) is rumoured to have been seen around Jennymount Mill where it is believed he was decapitated in an accident while fixing one of the weaving machines. Often parents used this tale to encourage their children to come in before dark. Many people still remember their parents telling them to be in for a certain time or: “Galloper Thompson will get ye.” ” (The text is from Joe Baker’s Haunted Belfast. More info from Walking Tours Belfast.)

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Terminus Rangers

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Rangers’ Scottish Premiership League title – the 55th in the long history of the club – is celebrated on York Street by the ‘Terminus Rangers’ supporters club in the Times Bar. See also: We Are The People | Respect Heritage Culture | Welcome To The Ulster Rangers | F*ck Your Ten In A Row

For the other murals in the second image, see Our Wee Country and From The Boyne To Afghanistan.

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Choose One Or The Other!

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After a break for the funeral of the Duke Of Edinburgh, the Loyalist Communities Council has resumed its protest of Brexit with a banner campaign (Irish News). The banner seems to be offering viewers the choice of one of four affiliations (“Europe – UK – USA – Ireland – choose one or the other! It’s your decision!) but the “correct” answer is at the bottom (and in the faded background of the Covenant): “Ulster is British and this we will always maintain!” even though “Political leaders are not listening!” (including, perhaps, Arlene Foster and the DUP.) The Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement) allows people in Northern Ireland to identify themselves as Irish, British, or both.

Banners have been placed in various PUL areas; this one is along the York Road. The launch of the campaign outside the Irish Secretariat Office in Linenhall St, which the Belfast Telegraph called “tiny” as it involved only the LCC’s David Campbell and David McNary, was interrupted by Gareth McCord (BelTel video) whose brother Raymond was beaten to death by the UVF in 1997, allegedly to cover up drug dealing by the Mount Vernon UVF (Magill).

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There Is No Union Without NI

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“North Belfast will never accept a border in the Irish Sea – there is no union without NI.” The Sun shines on a flag from Shore Road Loyal Rangers Supporters Club (Fb) and a board protesting the NI Protocol – Rangers are triumphant but the union is in peril.

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We Are The People

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“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand” (Psalm 95:7). Glasgow Rangers – the team of the chosen people of Northern Ireland – returned to winning ways by securing the League championship for a record 55th time (see We’re Back | F*ck Your Ten In A Row | Respect, Heritage, Culture).

The previous Biblical reference in the apex was Rev 18:4 – see Brits Out! For 2 Chronicles 7:14 see If I Send Pestilence. For the Orange symbols on the left (and Gen 38:28), see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever.

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We’re Back

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Rangers’s season doesn’t end until May 15th but they have already clinched the Scottish League title. This gives their fans plenty of time to celebrate. This display is from Glenbryn. See previously: F*ck Your Ten In A Row | Respect, Heritage, Culture.

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