hood/mask/balaclava

For Freedom Alone

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This is the fourth version of the UFF mural on the first gable in “Freedom Corner” along the Newtownards Road but the changes are minor compared with the 2009 version: the jacket and skyline are darker in colour. The mural shows a balaclava’d volunteer with assault rifle and a modified version of the Declaration of Arbroath: “For as long as one hundred of us remain alive we shall never in anyway consent to submit to the Irish for it’s not for glory, honour or riches we fight but for freedom alone which no man loses but with his life – U.D.A./U.F.F”

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01545

Prepared For Peace, Ready For War

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This is one of the most famous murals in Belfast on account of its position overlooking the entrance of Mount Vernon and the M2 – the central gunman appears to be aiming right at you as you come down the off-ramp to the Shore Road. The original mural (T00138 | D00382) – which dates back to the ceasefire (1995) – was on a gable at the front of the estate but the entire block of houses was knocked down (c. 2000 – BelTel). It was later recreated (though without the words “3rd battalion” above “North Belfast) in the current more elevated position.

The other gunman-aiming-right-at-you mural is the UDU mural in the lower Shankill estate.

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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05216

Ballybeen RHC

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“Where so ever, how so ever or whenever we are called upon to make our exit, we shall do so as proud men.” (Another UVF mural in east Belfast has “as free men”.) A hooded gunman from the Red Hand Commando stands at the ready. The first of the four crests is the (rare, possibly restricted to the Morven Park murals) “RHC Youth”; then PAF, UVF, and YCV. Morven Park, Ballybeen.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00417

The Right To Defend Yourself

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“We seek nothing but the elementary right implanted in every man: the right if you are attacked, to defend yourself.” Hooded gunmen return to east Belfast at the junction of Newtownards Road and Dee Street (Bright Street), replacing a mural for the Glentoran Community Trust. It’s not clear who the UVF felt attacked by in 2011; it is possible that this mural is also about local muscle-flexing in addition to sectarian politics or attention from the police.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05099 Dee Craig

East Belfast UVF On Parade

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The mural appears to show a “show of strength” (firing into the air) rather than a parade, by hooded gunmen of the east Belfast UVF. The crowd is gathered on Newtownards Road at Dee Street, date unknown (but prior to 2008).

Newtownards Road, east Belfast.

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Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00453

Village YCV

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Young Citizen Volunteers of both the Home Rule (1912) and Troubles periods are shown shouldering rifles.

The mural on the side-wall has been whitewashed – see previously M04214.

Broadway, south Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05932

H-Block Martyrs

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The large board on the left commemorates the 10 dead hunger strikers (WP) and two blanketmen. “No greater love” echoes John 15:13.

There are also two smaller boards on the right: first, “Same old mural, same old force” with the three-in-one figure of RUC, Orange Order, and loyalist paramilitary under a traffic “No” symbol; second, an interesting board alleging collusion between the RUC and the UDA and UVF in north and east Belfast.

Oldpark Road, north Belfast.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00063 h-block martyrs 1981

Lower Shankill UFF

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This lower Shankill UDA/UFF C company mural is a survivor from the days of Johnny Adair. There is a separate Visual History page on the Adair-Era Murals.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00075 lower shankill uff, uym, uda, terrae filius, quis separabit, ulster defence association, ulster freedom fighters, ferrens, tego, simply the best, 2nd batt, c. coy