Drumcree

These are 2008 images of the Drumcree mural in the lower Shankill estate, seen previously in 2004. The mural would be “re-imaged” in 2009.

“Here we stand, we can do no other” adapts Luther’s saying at Worms to the standoff in Portadown between the Orange Order and Catholics on the Garvaghy Road, which links the church at Drumcree (shown in the mural) with the town centre.

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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Andrew Jackson

“Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the USA and the first of Ulster-Scots descent, his family emigrated from Carrickfergus to North Carolina in 1765. After leading the army to victory in the Battle Of New Orleans in 1815 Jackson became a national hero and became known as “Old Hickory” after the tough wood of the native American tree. His “common man” credentials earned Jackson a massive popular vote and swept him into the Presidency for two consecutive terms (1829-1837).” He also hated the British, owned slaves, and signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the infamous “Trail of Tears” (Irish Times).

See also the Visual History page on Ulster-Scots murals.

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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Great Ape

Spotted in the lower Shankill estate: a gaping gorilla dressed in Orange Order collarette carrying a Union flag.

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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Somme 1916

Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division go over the top at the battle of the Somme on July 1st, 1916. Glenvale Park, Glynn.

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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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View From The Graveyard

Here are two image of murals on the Whiterock Road taken from City Cemetery. Of the pair in the bottom image, the one on the left is to Keven Lynch (see M02999); the one on the right is against plastic bullets and dates back to 1995 (see M01360).

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Copyright © 2007 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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George Best 1946-2005

The career – both domestic (Manchester United) and international (Northern Ireland) – of soccer icon George Best is on display in this Sandy Row mural.

Blythe Street, south Belfast.

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Copyright © 2007 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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20th Century Northern Ireland

This is an in-progress set of images of the original “Wheatfield Project” panels on the Ballysillan Road, depicting the 20th century in loyalism. The crown on the YCV symbol and the tombstones and Ulster tower have not been finished and Carson’s statue will be added to the foreground of Stormont.

Later on, an info board would replace the first two panels, and the order after it would be Ulster Day, then Carson signing the covenant, then a new double-sized panel of Fernhill House, and then the rest as above, but with the order of the Sunningdale and UWC strike panels reversed.

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Copyright © 2005 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Welcome To Loyalist Eden

King William’s True Blues flute band from Eden Village (outside Carrickfergus) amalgamated with the South East Antrim Defenders. That group disbanded in 2007 but was re-established in 2010.

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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Build My Gallows High

This is the scene as Glenbryn Park was being rebuilt. The “peace” line separates Protestant Glenbryn from Catholic Ardoyne. “Build My Gallows” is a Rangers football song, but the last line here is “Build my gallows, build them high … for I’m not in Eire”.

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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Hedge Row School

“Labhaır an teanga Ghaeılge lıom.” Catholic (and Presbyterian) education was prohibited by the penal laws (WP) and particularly the Education Act of 1695 (WP) – this is probably what’s on the notice on the left-hand tree. Schooling by Catholics (in Irish) nonetheless took place, in covert houses and outhouses, as well as in fields and hedge-rows. The Act was repealed in 1782, provided the teacher took an oath of allegiance to the Crown.

The mural is in Ardoyne Avenue, alongside the Mass Rock mural. See also the Cromwell mural in the lower Shankill.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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