Carrickfergus castle was built in 1177 and has seen multiple battles in the intervening years, including the Battle Of Carrickfergus in 1597 in which the MacDonnells and O’Neills defeated the forces of Elizabeth I (WP). Its military history makes it a fitting spot for a remembrance of the dead of WWI from the 36th Division.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07381 [X07380] X07382 [X07383] [X07379] [X07378]
“The Glorious Revolution for civil and religious liberty.” King James II of England – a Catholic convert – had a son in 1688 that replaced his (Protestant) daughter Mary as first in line for the English throne. In order to prevent a Catholic succession, William of Orange, Protestant ruler of Holland and Mary’s cousin and husband set sail in October with 40,000 men in 463 ships (WP). He is shown in this new board in Main Street, Markethill leading his troops across the Boyne in Ireland. His success in deposing James would become known as the “Glorious Revolution.”
There are three Biblical references inside the band:
Psalm 60 v.4 “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth”;
Isaiah 13 v.2 “Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles”;
Psalm 95 v.7 “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.”
and a possible signature “RGm”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 squire93@hotmail.com
X07702 X07703
Bannerettes at the top of Sandy Row. On the left, “St Nicholas Church Temperance LOL No 782”. On the right, “Sandy Row RBDC [Royal Black District Chapter] No. 3, Belfast”. The No. 3 chapter was formed in 1885 (Belfast Grand Black Chapter Fb | web). Both groups are based in Sandy Row Orange Hall
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07468
Still in the window of Harland House (Templemore Avenue, east Belfast) two years after the World Cup, Union Flag and IFA bunting and a ‘Deutschland’ scarf. NI did not qualify, Germany did not make it to the knock-out stage, and England lost to Croatia in the semis.
It’s not known what the connection to Edward Harland (of Harland & Wolff) – please get in touch.
Click image again to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07210
“To commemorate the establishment of Presbyterianism in Ireland through the formation of the first presbytery which met in Carrickfergus on 10th June 1642.” Presbyterianism began in Scotland circa 1560 under John Knox and spread to Ireland with the colonising settlers of the 1600s. (For more on the first presbytery, see Ancestry Ireland.) Although Presbyterians supported the Williamite campaign they were subsequently discriminated against as “dissenters” from Anglicanism.
The sculpture is at Joymount Presbyterian in Carrickfergus.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07402 X07403 X07404
Here is another very small “Brexit” boards in and around Tigers Bay. (See previously: Brexit Loyalists) This one is in North Queen St near the junction with the Limestone Road.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07657 [X07658]
The UVF mural in Carrington Street has been paint-bombed. Given the location and the extent of the paint, it’s likely that this was the result of some local (PUL) grievance. It will be interesting to see if it is restored, or replaced or painted out.
For the mural in proper form, see Volunteering.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07660 X07659
“Uniting our community to support our community. Thank you NHS & essential workers”. The ‘Lower North Belfast Action Group’ was formed in April this year in response to the pandemic. Based on the “Groups/Areas” involved, ‘lower’ means the area along the lough up as far the White City and Loughview.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07596
Paul, sounding like a Stoic, encourages people to be content no matter what the circumstances. “‘I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me’ – Philippians 4:13” Thanks to an anonymous model in Wilson Street for letting us take a photo of his t-shirt.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07595
5G is not just the next generation of cellular network! 5G weakens your immune system against coronavirus. Or 5G is how the virus spreads. Or 5G is the virus. Or coronavirus is a plot to keep people indoors while 5G is installed so that the tiny tracking chips that will be injected into people via the vaccinations developed by Bill Gates and/or George Soros can be activated. Luckily, a lone graffitist is here to warn us, though details on which conspiracy theory he adheres to are slim. Both images are from Northumberland Street.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07582 X07581
Extramural Activity 