Belfast

The Battalion Of The Dead

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Gary “Magoo” McCann is honoured as “a dedicated Vol of 2nd Battalion C Coy Village who on the 17-11-2016 was called to join his friends and comrades in the Battalion of The Dead” in a new Red Hand Commando board on Frenchpark Street below the memorial to Sammy Mehaffy, John Hanna, and Steve McCrea. Tributes were paid by South Belfast Protestant Boys and Linfield Supporters Club who called him “a Village legend”. The mural in the second image (below) is on Donegall Avenue, under the Tates Avenue bridge, on the way to the Railway stand at Windsor Park.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04311 X04313

Pro-Testant Reformation

Extramural Activity2 Comments

October 31st, 1517 is the date given by Philip Melanchthon (there is disagreement – WP) for Martin Luther posting his 95 theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, thus launching what would later be called the “protestant” reformation of the Catholic church. The word “protestant” comes from two Latin roots, meaning to publicly (pro-) assert or bear witness (testari).

Below the red hands on either side have been added “Genesis 38:28”, which reads “While she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out.” The hand thrust forward to claim the birthright (and the reference to a scarlet thread) suggests the myth of the red hand of Ulster. However, it is the younger child (though the first to be completely born) that carries on the house of Judah.

For the original mural, see Return To Loyalist Tigers Bay; for “Vote Leave” on top, see Brits Out! and for the insignia to the left, see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04346 Gen 38:28

What Did I Have?

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Gerard Gibson, aged 16, was shot dead by members of the Royal Green Jackets (“murdered by British crown forces”) in Lenadoon on 11 July 1972. His case was examined by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) but the family rejected the findings (BBC). This board show today is in a similar style, and close to, that of Fıan Sean Ó Rıordan, but Gibson is not identified as a youth member of the OIRA (as Sutton identifies him).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04336 beechmount ave erected by the gibson family four green fields that was my grief

The Poppy Trail 1917

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The 1917 board in the Poppy Trail series (1914 | 1915 | 1916) celebrates female munitions workers as well as making local connections to the battles of 1917: George Cairns of Roden Street and Thomas Fitzpatrick of Cullingtree Road.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04321 X04320 euterpe st

Ard Mhacha

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Armagh were All-Ireland Senior Football champions in 2002, beating Kerry by 1-12 to 14 points – their first and (so far) only All-Ireland.

For the Ryan Burnett board to the right in the wide shot, see Undisputed Champion.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04329 X04328 Antrim Rd

Boyne Bridge Defenders

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Boyne Bridge joins Durham Street and Sandy Row. Translink plans to demolish the bridge to make way for a new Transport Hub costing 150 million pounds. The Boyne Bridge Defenders (web | Fb) are organising a petition against it on the basis of the bridge’s age (parts of it were built in 1642) and long history. More info from the Tele.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04319

Buster Keenan

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A new mural to William “Buster” Keenan was unveiled this month – July 8th – coincidentally the anniversary of wife Eileen’s death. Both are listed on the UVF memorial stone (image 3) in front of the mural, along with David Ervine and the Long-Cordner-Bennett-Seymour quartet.

According to ACT, Keenan was involved in the Battle Of St. Matthew’s (in which Bobby Neill and James McCurrie were killed, along with Henry McIlhone). To the left (fourth image) is another “Ulster Volunteers” stone, a “Sydenham roll of honour – to those who gave their lives in the Great War”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle X04331 X04330 X04332 X04333 [X10340]
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle X10337 X10338 X10339
inverary dr ycv east belfast battalion fusiliers rifles canadian inniskilling rifleman royal navy highlanders

Undisputed Champion

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Belfast’s Ryan Burnett is IBF bantamweight world champion. What was initially given as a split decision was later corrected to unanimous due to a judge mixing up the boxers on his card (Telegraph). The mural above, by Glen Molloy, is on Cassidy’s on the Antrim Road, near Bearnageeha where Burnett (and Paddy Barnes) went to school.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04327

RIP Plum Smith

Extramural Activity1 Comment

A plaque has been added to the Cupar Way “peace” line memorial to UVF man William “Plum” Smith. “Moved on 8th June 2016 – sadly missed by his family.” For more information on his life, see the previous version.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04276 X04275 cupar way

Prepare To Roar!

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Sacred Heart Boxing Academy was housed in the parochial hall (shown in the middle of the mural) before closing perhaps because of safety concerns and/or debt. Above is a shot of the main panel in its entirety (close-ups were featured yesterday (Sacred Heart Boxing Academy). The panel on the far right in the wide shot, below, was featured the day before that (Belfast Boxers).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04252 X04251 oldpark ave