painted wall

Arkansas ’57 – Ardoyne ’01

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This Ardoyne mural connects the Holy Cross blockade (WP | Scannal RTÉ) to desegregation in the U.S.A. in the wake of Brown v. Board Of Education (WP).

The left panel is a rendition of an iconic image of Hazel Bryan hectoring Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine (WP), in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In the central panel, red sweaters on b&w background might be a reference to Schindler’s List.

The right panel is a reproduction of a photograph of the terrified Eirinn Flood on her way to Holy Cross (Belfast Media).

This mural was later (2009) imitated on the International Wall, Divis Street.

Estoril Park, Ardoyne, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00044 everyone has the right to live free of sectarian harassment, it’s black and white, arkansas ’57, ardoyne ’01

The Real Pimps

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A twofer here, as we get graffiti next to the mural decrying Sinn Féin on Shankill Parade. “J[ohnny] Adair, T[homas] Beresford – the real pimps.” For UDA C Coy pimping, see Free Library, but why Adair and Beresford are the real pimps is unknown. See the Visual History page on the Adair-Era Murals for background on Adair; see this BelTel article for information about the feud.)

Here’s a shot of the wider scene, from the Boundary Street side, with more graffiti about Johnny Adair: “Pimp Adair, bring it on. Jan 05.” “Jan 05” is a reference to Adair’s forthcoming release from prison.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00047 X00071 this is the sinn fein commitment to the peace process, guns from florida ireland, castlereagh break in, training farc rebels, stormont spy ring, the real pimps, pimp adair, bring it on, jan 5, c coy, est 2nd batt. uff, simply the best

Stevie McKeag

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“In proud and loving memory of Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag, born 1970, died 2000, military commander, C coy, 2nd Batt, UFF. Sleeping where no shadows fall.” “Ulster Freedom Fighters – This mural is dedicated to memory of Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag (WP).”

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00068

Drumcree

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“We demand the right to march.” This mural in the lower Shankill is about the disputed Orange Order parade (WP entry, including a map of the route) to Drumcree Church in Portadown, part of which goes along the Garvaghy Road

“Here we stand, we can do no other” is a variation on Martin Luther’s pronouncement at Worms, the subject of this mural

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00058 portadown district l.o.l. no. 1, shankill rd supports drumcree

Lower Shankill UFF

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This lower Shankill UDA/UFF C company mural is a survivor from the days of Johnny Adair. There is a separate Visual History page on the Adair-Era Murals.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00075 lower shankill uff, uym, uda, terrae filius, quis separabit, ulster defence association, ulster freedom fighters, ferrens, tego, simply the best, 2nd batt, c. coy

Cromwell

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This is a lower Shankill mural of Oliver Cromwell, Lieutenant General, Lord Protector of the Protestant faith, born 1599, died 1658. “Catholicism is more than a religion, it is a political power. Therefore I’m led to believe there will be no peace in Ireland until the Catholic church is crushed.” “Our clergy persecuted and our Protestant churches desecrated. Also our Protestant people slaughtered in their thousands.”

Close-up of the middle portion behind the railing:

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00056 X00057 lieutenant general lord protector defender of the protestant faith, oliver cromwell, born 1599 died 1658

The Boyne

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King Billy crossing the Boyne, with Schomberg dying in the foreground, making this a crude reproduction of Benjamin West’s 1780 painting ‘Battle Of The Boyne’. Second-in-command Schomberg had crossed the Boyne first and met his fate at the hands of Jacobite cavalry. Schomberg’s helper is perhaps George Walker, governor of Derry during the siege, who was shot and killed (reportedly) while attending to Schomberg – see George Walker in the Paddy Duffy collection.

Shankill Parade, in the lower Shankill estate

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00052

Deserted! Well I Can Stand Alone

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Here are two images of women defending Protestant territory in Ireland. On the left, the date is “1914”, that is, Ulster during the Home Rule Crisis and WWI. The words “Deserted! Well – I can stand alone” can refer both to Britain’s proposed desertion or the absence of menfolk who joined Kitchener’s army.

On the right, the date is the early days of Northern Ireland: “A Protestant farmer’s wife guards her husband against sectarian attack from across the border.”

This is the third of three murals in the courtyard of the Rex Bar at Moscow Street on the Shankill Rd. Betting Office | Ready For War. The first also has a wide shot of all three and surrounding area.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00066 ycv moscow street

1914-2004

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“Preparing to bear arms 1914 – Prepared to bear arms 2004.” The Ulster Volunteers and the modern UVF are put in parallel.

A wider shot, including the stone memorial to the right of this mural and a banner above, is shown in Fasting For Human Rights And Justice.

Spier’s Place/Shankill Rd.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00041

Ready For War

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Carson inspects the Ulster Volunteers at Glencairn (the grounds are also mentioned in this mural). The date is June 14th, 1914: guns have been smuggled in, but Britain has not yet declared war (August 4th).

The is the middle of three murals concerning unionism at the time of the (third) Home Rule bill and First World War. The first depicts the signing of the Covenant; the third depicts women farmers protecting their lands.

The first also contains a wide shot of all three and the surrounding area.

The photograph on which the mural is based in the Mary Evans collection. See e.g. this copy at the Express.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00074 1st belfast battalion moscow street