The Blood Of Heroes Never Dies

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Five images of a new, multi-wall, mural in Ballyduff. The main panel shows WWI soldiers bowed over graves in Flanders surrounded by poppies. This is accompanied by the red-hand emblem of the Ulster Volunteers and the shamrock of the YCV.

On a side wall (see the fourth image) is a verse from American professor Moina Michael’s poem We Shall Keep The Faith: “We cherish too the poppy red that grows in fields where valour led; it seems to signal to the skies the blood of heroes never dies”. It was Michael who began to raise funds for servicemen by selling (silk) poppies, also adopted by the British Legion in 1921 (WP).

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X03236 X03239 X03237 X03238 X03240 ballyduff gdns East Antrim volunteers UVF For God and Ulster At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. YCV Lest we forget. Newtownabbey

One In Design And Intention

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Religion and military might are one in this giant (see the wide shot, below) cross in Belfast’s City Cemetery, which commemorates the dead of World War I. The base (shown below) reads: The cross of sacrifice is one in design and intention with those which have been set up in France and Belgium and other places throughout the world where our dead of this great war are laid to rest. Their name liveth for ever more.” There is a similar memorial in Dundonald Cemetery. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, “There are now 296 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war and 274 of the 1939-1945 war commemorated here.”

Previously from the City Cemetery: The Depths Of Sectarianism

Previously on the same theme: And A Sword In The Other

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Over A Barrel

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Here is a snapshot from the protest camp at Twaddell Avenue, established in July 2013, which remains in place at the junction with the Crumlin Road. The most recent newspaper mention of the protest appears to be this December 29th report in the Newsletter.

For more, including the “civil rights” board behind the barrel, see Twaddell Protest Camp | Civil Rights Camp | Supporters ClubLet Them Home.

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Slí Na Gaeltachta

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Slí Na Gaeltachta (The Gaeltacht Way) is a 2.5-mile trail of twenty-six “art and heritage” stops from the city centre to the Whiterock Road in west Belfast. A gaeltacht is an Irish-speaking region.

See previously: Onwards – memorial mural to Clive Dutton, author of the Dutton Report calling for the regeneration of west Belfast by (in part) developing its Irish-language identity.

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X03225 X02752 brighton st www.forbaırtfeırste.com fáılte go welcome to Ag fíorú ghaeltacht bheo Bhéal Feırste – Driving forward Belfast’s vibrant Gaeltacht.

My Old Toy Box

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Smithfield Market houses a wide variety of shops (BelfastCity) including Filipino groceries, dressmaking, hairdressing, jewelry, a nail bar, computers, carpets, bicycles, e-cigarettes and also – shown above – My Old Toy Box (Fb), sellers of model toys. Cash only!

Previously: Smithfield Market

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X02765 X02764 their only colour was khaki winetavern street

Thus Will Shine The Dawn

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The words of Winston Churchill, in a radio address to the people of France in October 1940, followed by John Maxwell Edmonds’s memorial epitaph, are included on the headstone at the centre of this mural to the 10th battalion of the Inniskilling Fusiliers (The Derrys), the 109th brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division, who fought at the Somme in WWI: “In proud memory of our fallen comrades from the Nelson Drive Flute Band. Glorious on the graves of heroes, kindly upon all those who have suffered for the cause. Thus will shine the dawn. They gave their tomorrow for our today.”

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X03088 UVF ulster volunteer force YCV young citizen volunteers for god and ulster lest we forget

Nearer My God To Thee

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Thomas Andrews was head of the drafting department at Harland & Wolff shipbuilders during the construction of RMS Titanic and was one of the 1,523 people who died when it hit an iceberg in the Atlantic ocean (WP). His portrait has been added to the recently repainted Titanic mural at the corner of Dee Street and Newtownards Road. According to this Telegraph article, the ‘Our Wee Country’ mural in Carnforth Street might be next for refurbishment.

“This mural is respectfully dedicated to the men, women and children who lost their lives in the waters of the north atlantic on the night of April 14th 1912: to those who survived whose lives from that night on were forever altered and to those who built the Titanic.” “The Titanic mural has been renovated by the original artist, John Stewart 2015.”

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X03171 white star line built in belfast 1912 april 14 disaster great loss of life evening news H&W est. 1861 her name is publicly announced in april 1980 designation begins on march 1909 the titanic was launched here in belfast april 10 1912 she left southampton for new york disaster struck in the north atlantic ocean 1523 people died lost their lives in the disaster 705 passengers and crew survived 1873-1912 Thomas Andrews

Relief Of Derry Fry

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This is the notice-board outside Cathedral Youth Club in Londonderry’s Fountain area (in August), inviting passers-by to express their loyalty in a ‘Relief of Derry fry’ – an Ulster fry with tea, coffee, or juice – to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support.

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The Heart Of Our Community

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In early August the RNU blacked out an Ard Eoın Kickhams GAA mural in Ardoyne (featured previously) and replaced it with a tarp calling for the RUC/PSNI to be disbanded (see this Belfast Live article for an image). After complaint from the local community, the tarp was removed and the central part of the mural was repainted, showing the celtic cross of Cumann Lúthcleas Gael, a football, sliotars, and hurleys. Members of the RUC were forbidden from GAA membership until “Rule 21” (WP) until 2001; they are now permitted to join and play Gaelic games, even if they not welcome in the area – see the image below.

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X02758 X03138 founded 1907 MI5 british army not welcome in this area gaelic athletic association GAA CLG

In The Land Of The Giants

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Here are three shots of the new Blaze Fx (web | Fb) “Belfast Giants” mural in east Belfast’s Lord Street. The Giants have been Belfast’s ice-hockey team for the last fifteen years, beginning in 2000. The detail above shows mascot Finn MacCool and the image of the full mural, below, includes the team motto, the (a)politically-motivated “In the land of the giants, everyone is equal.” The mural takes the place of a UDA mural (featured previously, Feriens Tego; see also the second info board, below, on “the re-imaging of Lord Street 2012-2015”) and is one of three large murals and various small murals to be replaced or painted out. (This News Letter article puts the total at nine.)

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X03112 X03164 X03162 ice hockey stick jersey mobile phone go foam finger cheering taking picture skates X03370 junior and senior teams local media likes mark morrison nathan clements bradley scott kaitlyn morrison X04481