hood/mask/balaclava

Neither King Nor Nato

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Est 1913 Irish Citizen Army / Irish National Liberation Army Est. 1974”. The Irish Citizen Army was founded in Dublin in 1913 to protect striking workers from police violence. After taking part in the Easter Rising of 1916, however, the ICA did not participate in the War Of Independence and the Civil War. In 1974, some founding members considered reviving the “ICA” name to reflect the organisation’s “allegiance to the working class” while Costello (pictured on the right) suggested “National Liberation Army”, which was then amended to include “Irish” (History Ireland | WP | WP). MNI includes an “ICA-INLA” Starry Plough on the stairs into the New Lodge from 1989 (C00105).

The banner raised over the Liberty Hall headquarters of the ICA read “We serve neither king nor kaiser but Ireland” – the famous photograph is included in the post of the same name – but this has been updated. The Belfast version of the board, above, reads “nor Nato”, while the Derry version, below reads “nor quisling”.

The Derry mural in the background is The Runner, part of The People’s Gallery.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 872)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/649, ISO 16, full size 2800 x 2442

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2023 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, full size 3456 x 5184

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2023 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, full size 5184 x 3456
T02781 [X12381] X12380 X12406 X12405 Northumberland St Fahan St james connolly

Welcome To Craigyhill

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Bullets versus bonfires in Craigyhill, Larne: the hooded gunman shown above is next to the boards shown in The Loyalist Executioner in Glenfarne Place, Craigyhill (Larne). Both it and the second image (from the top of Cairngorm Drive) have been added since we photographed the record-breaking bonfire in July, 2022. The third image is of the board that (in 2019?) replaced the controversial Craigyhill Provost Team board that showed a hooded gunman with a pistol. The final image, showing a pair of assault rifles, is in Fanad Drive.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f6.3, 1/320, ISO 100, full size 5616 x 3744

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02342 T02356 X10544 [X10545] [X10546] T02357

The Friend At Hand

Extramural Activity3 Comments

Easter marks the unofficial start of the PUL marching season, with many marches today by various Apprentice Boys bands. The season runs until the end of August, with a high point around July 12th (Parades Commission | CAIN calendar). The painting above (by Ciaran Gallagher (ig) in the Dark Horse courtyard for a nine-part series called The Friend At Hand) packs in many familiar tropes: King Billy on a banner, kerb-stones painted red-white-and-blue, the Israeli flag flying from a lamp-post, and a bottle of Buckfast lying in the gutter. Decorating the skin, however, is rare, and the use of Irish – “an cara idir lamha [lámha]” [“in aice láimhe” or “ag an láimh”] – on a Lambeg drum is unknown.

The other panels show a boxer being attended to in his corner at the King’s Hall and a masked man leaving the EU and heading for Mexico off with an ATM in the bucket of an excavator.

Images courtesy of Paddy Duffy.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f3.5, 1/30, ISO 100, full size 1537 x 2049

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f3.3, 1/40, ISO 125, full size 2049 x 1537

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f4, 1/30, ISO 100, full size 1537 x 2049
T01691 T01665 T01692

Your Country Needs You

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“The UDA formed in 1971 as an umbrella for Loyalist Vigilante groups being formed. There [sic] role to defend the Protestant community from IRA violence. They remain today. Ask yourself this question: When the battle has been finally won, will I be able to stand and be counted amongst the men won it? Make sure the answer is yes – join your local unit of the UDA. Your country needs you.” This is an addition to the panels shown in Show No Mercy, Expect None Back.

And (on the other side of the street) the tarp is an addition to the slogans shown in 2016’s We Will Never Accept A United Ireland. “We remember our culture, from the siege of Derry to the battle of the Boyne. ‘No Surrender’.”

For the Varadkar poster, A Return To Violence.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T01823 T01820 T01821 T01822 T01819

Ernie Dougan

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Officer in command Vol. Ernest “Ernie” Dougan (30/04/65-22/03/20) Ballyduff/Glengormley Ulster Volunteer Force 1st East Antrim Battalion.” Dougan died at the beginning of lockdown and so the public commemoration of his passing did not take place until 2022. He was also involved in the Ballyduff Community Redevelopment Group (Fb). According to a Sunday World article, Dougan did not join the UVF until sometime after the Agreement, after he was given a punishment beating by the UDA in north Belfast (see Irish Times | Mirror) and moved out to Ballyduff.

Ernie was the brother of Robert Dougan, who was killed by the IRA in 1998 – see Everyone’s Friend | Gone But Not Forgotten.

The two long sides of the electrical box were seen The Ultimate Sacrifice and If Needed We Shall Rise Again. The Ulster Banner with charging soldier on the other short end replaces Carnmoney Remembers.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02261 T02259 T02262 T02264 T02263

The People’s Monument

Extramural Activity1 Comment

In August (2022), Saoradh Doire (web) and the Derry IRPWA (web) unveiled a new memorial to the Derry Brigade IRA/Briogáid Dhoire Óglaigh Na hÉireann on the green at the Fahan Street turn which it is calling “the people’s monument” (Derry Now) perhaps in parallel with the series of murals by the Bogside Artists called “the people’s gallery” (Visual History page).

In the centre is a Derry Brigade roll of honour with 42 names; on the left is a role of remembrance of naturally-deceased óglaigh and activists, including Geordie McGilloway who worked on the nearby hunger strike memorial (An Phoblacht); on the right is a list of the deceased twentieth century hunger strikers, beginning with Thomas Ashe.

“This monument is dedicated to the people of Derry City who have resisted & still resist the occupation of our country by Britain. We acknowledge with pride the sacrifices they made throughout every decade. Their names would be too numerous to mention & their deeds of bravery & resistance unequaled in the history of our struggle. The republican movement of Derry City salute you and your families. Your reward will only be a united Ireland.”

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02112 T02111

We Will Always Be Ready

Extramural Activity2 Comments

There are three hooded gunmen on the main panel of this new installation along Conway Street, Belfast, and the side panel is a gallery of 14 photographs of hooded gunmen, flanked on either by two more hooded gunmen.

Please note: the photograph above has been photoshopped for colour. The true colour (orange) can be seen in the wide shot, below.

“No. 5 Platoon, attached to ‘A’ Company, 1st Belfast Battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force, was formed at the onset of the conflict, and was eventually to become one of the most active Units with the Organisation. The Platoon was formed to fulfil one role, the defence of the Protestant community on the Shankill Road, in the wake of increasing, indiscriminate, Republican gun and bomb attacks. To counter these sectarian, murderous incursions, No. 5 Platoon devised a daring strategy, which would see its Volunteers strike at the very heart of the Republican war machine. Such steely determination and gallantry in the face of a deadly enemy, would make the Platoon one of the most deadly military Units within the 1st Belfast Battalion. Throughout the course of the conflict, alongside other UVF Active Service Units, using any and all means at their disposal, No. 5 Platoon Volunteers inflicted massive casualties to those who would seek our demise, and in so doing, brought the Irish Republican Movement to its knees. Today the message remains unchanged. As long as one of us remains, this community will not be shot, bombed, intimidated or coerced, into a United Ireland. Ulster will remain British! Those No. 5 Platoon Volunteers who were imprisoned during the conflict, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Cause they served, will never be forgotten. They will now and forevermore, be honoured by those of us who remain. For God and Ulster.”

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 1000)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/60, ISO 32, full size 3024 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 1000)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/120, ISO 25, full size 3024 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1100 x 844)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/188, ISO 20, full size 3733 x 2864

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 862)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/143, ISO 20, full size 3021 x 2604
X12028 X12026 X12025 X12027

Our British Identity

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Various changes and additions have been made to the Ulster Volunteers/UVF mural in London Road, east Belfast, compared to the version that replaced a religious mural (Jesus Strong Man) in 2017. The ‘hooded gunman’ board seen in the image above previously replaced a Union Flag in London Road (see East Belfast Ulster Volunteers) but has now been moved to the main Our Lady’s Road: “Our British identity cannot & will not be sacrificed to appease the Irish Republic – East Belfast Battalion [UVF]”.

The side-wall has been modified, to include a UVF emblem and larger lettering for “East Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force”.

For close-ups of the WWI portion, painted by Mark Ervine, see Between The Crosses; for a close-up of the four portraits of volunteers Seymour, Long, Cordner, and Bennett, see Ulster’s Brave.

Images courtesy of Paddy Duffy.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f4, 1/100, ISO 100, full size 2049 x 1537

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f3.5, 1/60, ISO 500, full size 2049 x 1537
T01548 T01546

Political Leaders Are Not Listening

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Here is a second set of images showing the “peace or protocol” poster that has appeared in PUL areas in the city, three in east Belfast – along the Newtownards Road – and two from north Belfast – Oakmount Drive and Ballysillan Road. Two others in norther Belfast were seen previously in A Return To Violence, which also explains the poster.

For the murals along “Freedom Corner” see 50th Anniversary; for the black-and-white mural, see Please Pay Here; for the banner, see Choose One Or The Other.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/100, ISO 16, full size 3024 x 4032

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/231, ISO 16, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/60, ISO 25, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/120, ISO 40, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/161, ISO 20, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/159, ISO 20, full size 3024 x 4032

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/159, ISO 20, full size 2049 x 1537

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Paddy Duffy
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/159, ISO 20, full size 2049 x 1537
X11932 X11933 X11934 X11936 X11951 X11938
T01663 T01656 [T01655] [T01654]

Heeding The Call

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Where so ever, how so ever or whenever we are called upon to make our exit, we will do as proud men.” This is quite a different message from the one produced within the Rathcoole estate for the 50th anniversary of the Red Hand Commandos, which stated that despite its venerable age, the four Rathcoole companies of the RHC “Await In The Shadows“. (That mural also depicted the kneeling men with sticks (on the left of today’s mural) and the linked post also contains the original photograph.)

It’s not clear who or what within loyalism might call upon the RHC to stand down; loyalist rhetoric at the moment is full of anger at the protocol and warnings/threats about of a return to violence (e.g. BelTel | BBC).

For the use of “Lamh Dear Abu” as the slogan, see Ulster Says “Tá”.

O’Neill Road, Newtownabbey.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 892)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f4.5, 1/125, ISO 100, full size 3496 x 3464

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 821)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f7.1, 1/250, ISO 100, full size 5473 x 3744

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 890)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/716, ISO 20, full size 3548 x 2632

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 901)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f5, 1/125, ISO 100, full size 4914 x 3691
X11870 [X11872] [X11871] [X11873] X11867 [X11868] X11869 X11865 [X11866]