RHC memorial garden off Derrycoole Way, Rathcoole.
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RHC Memorial Garden
physical force
99.9% Need Not Apply
“Rathcoole Red Hand Commando – The elite – Be the best – 99.9% need not apply.”
Derrycoole Way, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey.
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Colin Caldwell
Memorial mural and plaque to the UVF’s Colin Caldwell. “In memory of a fallen comrade, Colin Ralph Caldwell, murdered, Crumlin Road jail, 28th November 1991. 3rd Belfast battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force. Lest we forget.” The bomb had been planted by the IRA, killing the UDA’s Robert Skey immediately (November 24th) and Caldwell, from his wounds, a few days later on the 28th. A flute band was named in Caldwell’s memory and had a board across the street: Colin Caldwell Memorial FB. Derry Hill, Rathcoole.
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South East Antrim UFF
The four landmark high-rise buildings in Rathcoole – seen in the background of this nearby UDA mural – are called Abbotscoole, Carncoole, Glencoole and Monkscoole. Listed on the left-hand side are various areas in the South East Antrim brigade – Rathcoole, Rathfern, Monkstown, Glengormley, Whitewell, C’Fergus, Greenisland, Ballymena, Whitehead, Antrim, Larne – plus Shore Road.
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Families Against Supergrass Trials
Families Against Supergrass Trials was formed to protest the first supergrass trial in 26 years (after the system collapsed during the trial), to begin on September 8th, related to the killing of Tommy English (Belfast Telegraph | BBC | BBC). The banner above is in Donegall Pass, the one below is on the Mount Vernon flats. There was another in Newtownards Road (Irish News). (And in 2012, one in Spier’s Place/Shankill Rd.)
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Mussen Cortège
“Richard Mussen joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (27th foot) at the age of 15. At the outbreak of the Zulu wars he volunteered for active service and was transferred to the Second Battalion The South Wales Borderers (24th foot). At the outbreak of the Great War he joined the 9th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles and with him went his 4 sons and 2 sons-in-law. His son Richard (junior) was killed at the Somme on Thursday 21st March, 1918 and is remembered at Pozieres Memorial. Richard Mussen was buried from 22 Dundee Street [which was just above Agnes Street] on 29/12/1936 and was accorded full Military Honours. He was laid to rest in Belfast City Cemetery.” (From the accompanying plaque.)
Here is a short NVTv documentary about Mussen, including (at 12m25s) the image on which the mural shown here is based. The mural was done with spray paint by artist Sam Bates a.k.a. SMUG. It was unveiled on June 24th, 2011.
For some close-ups and the plaque, see the 2016 post.
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Save Brendan Lillis
Brendan Lillis was imprisoned in 1977 but freed in 2003. He was returned to prison in 2009 on robbery charges. Lillis was released from Maghaberry on August 19th, 2011, on humanitarian grounds – he suffered from a severe form of arthritis (BBC-NI).
At the site of the old Andersonstown RUC barracks.
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RHC Youth
“Ballybeen Youth C. Company” Red Hand Commando, with the names of the six counties and the slogan “Lamh Dearg Abu” (a corruption of “Lámh Dhearg Abú”, “red hand to victory”).
Next to another mural mentioning RHC Youth in Morven Park.
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Ballybeen RHC
“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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Ballybeen UFF
The emblem of the UFF is flanked by Ulster Banner and Union Flag.
Strone Park, Ballybeen.
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Extramural Activity 