Here are in-progress shots of “Freedom Corner” from mid June (images 1, 2), early July (images 4, 5) and early August (image 6), plus the info board that was posted to give people an idea of how the gables would look when complete (using the Tommy Herron mural in Bangor).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X10305 X10306 X11406 [X10502] X10503 X10504 [X10505] X11405
Three months after it was initially whitewashed (mid June, 2022), the repaint of so-called “Freedom Corner” is now complete, with a new mural on each of the 11 panels that make it up. This entry is a gallery of fifteen images from the new wall. The main gables reproduce photographs of the UDA (and more specifically the East Belfast brigade) during the 1970s. The side walls celebrate the formation of the UDA/LPA/UFF/UYM in 1971-1974 and the role of women in supporting prisoners.
By Blaze FX (Fb | ig) on the Newtownards Road. Here is a small gallery of in-progress images: Waiting For The Wall. The ‘five flags’ also appear in An Act Of Betrayal.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
1-2 X11567 [X11568] [X11569] [X11570] X11571 [X11572] [X11573] X11574
3 X11575 [X11576]
4-5 X11577 [X11578] X11579 [X11580] [X11581] X11314
6 [X11582] X11315
7 [X11583] X11316 X11584 [X11585]
wide right X11586 [X11592]
10-11 X11587 [X11588] [X11589] X11590 [X11591]
wide X11565 X11566
[X11407] [X11408] [X11409] [X11410]
Toals bookmakers are offering odds and taking bets on racing, soccer, and … shooting? The PSNI are in the crosshairs. In the background are the Black Arch on the Coast Road and Chaine Memorial tower.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X10591 X10590 X10592
“East Belfast 6th battalion, North Down”, with UFF, UDA, and UYM insignia against a background of the Harland & Wolff cranes (in east Belfast) and Ulster tower (in Thiepval), at the upper entrance to Kilcooley estate, Bangor. An image of this tarp was included by Dee Stitt in a gallery illustrating “Protestant culture” (tw) which drew a correction from the Rev Bill Shaw, a director of Charter NI; Jamie Bryson responded on Stitt’s behalf (News Letter).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11142 X11143
Here is a selection of UVF boards on the fronts of houses in Whitehill (Bangor). Two flute bands are mentioned: Pride Of Whitehill (Fb) and Bangor Protestant Boys (Fb). In the final image, the date of the formation of the Ulster Volunteers is given in Roman numerals: MCMXII.
For David Gordon Dalzell, see Pride Of Whitehill. For the relationship between the East Belfast and North Down battalions, see East East Belfast and Always A Little Further.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11169 X11168
X11160 X11161 X11162
X11163
X11164 [X11165] [X11166]
X11167
X11170 [X11171] [X11172]
[X11174] X11175 [X11176]
X11191
From before Queen Elizabeth’s death in September, a portrait in (fake) gilded frame below a Red Hand Commando board in Whitehill Drive, Bangor.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11173
This new Shankill Road installation makes mention of “William and Mary”, Mary being co-monarch with her cousin William from 1689 to 1694, when she died of smallpox. She was raised Anglican, though her parents (including father James II, whom William defeated at the Boyne) had converted to Catholicism in the 1660s. Although the fifteen year-old Mary wept when the marriage was announced, she remained loyal to William and to “Church and State” when James was deposed (WP).
“King William III Prince of Orange 1650-1702. In God is my trust.” “This artwork celebrates the victory of William III over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 “The battle of the two Kings”. The williamite ranks were filled with Irish protestants and international troops, William encouraged the hearts of his troops on the morning of the battle when he called to them “LET AMBITION FIRE THY MIND” on seeing the opposing army of James II, William exclaimed with delight “Ah I am glad to see you gentlemen; if you escape me now, the fault will be mine” they followed him to victory.”
In the background can be seen SMUG’s Mussen Cortège.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11485 X11486 X11484 (old) Beresford St
“Through the years the uniforms may change, but our cause will always remain the same.” On the left (of the main panel) are the Ulster Volunteers drilling in 1914 (photograph at the Library of Congress) and a UVF show of strength on Newtownards Road (seen previously in East Belfast UVF On Parade).
On a wall along Abbot Drive (Newtownards) with purple and orange coping stones.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11274 X11273
This UVF hooded gunman board (above the Pride Of Whitehill flute band (Fb) mural) was previously a memorial to the 36th (Ulster) Division (see They Sleep Side-By-Side) but has now become part of the East Belfast battalion’s markings in Bangor (see Always A Little Further).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11181 X11182 X11180 Skipperstone Rd
“We have given much, we have much to give”. Earlier murals on this wall in the Caw (2015 | 2011) were similarly divided into Ulster Volunteers/Ulster Division on the left and the modern UVF on the right. But this version shows a UVF “hooded gunman” whereas before on both sides there were graveside mourners. There is also a very rare (and possibly unique) reference to the H-Blocks, rather than the Long Kesh cages – a watchtower and walls are included above Carson’s portrait.
On the left are the Union Flag, Covenant, the Clyde Valley, graveside mourner in WWI, and Carson. On the right a UVF hooded gunman, the PUP emblem and slogan “Country Before Party”, and the flag of the UVF (Londonderry company).
The plaque, which has been retained from previously, reads “In proud memory of our fallen comrades from the Nelson Drive flute band. Glorious on the graves of heroes, kindly on all those who have suffered for the cause. Thus will shine the dawn. They gave their tomorrow for our today.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X11010 X11008 X11009 X11007
Extramural Activity 