Pro-Testant Reformation

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October 31st, 1517 is the date given by Philip Melanchthon (there is disagreement – WP) for Martin Luther posting his 95 theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, thus launching what would later be called the “protestant” reformation of the Catholic church. The word “protestant” comes from two Latin roots, meaning to publicly (pro-) assert or bear witness (testari).

Below the red hands on either side have been added “Genesis 38:28”, which reads “While she was giving birth, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” But it came about as he drew back his hand, that behold, his brother came out.” The hand thrust forward to claim the birthright (and the reference to a scarlet thread) suggests the myth of the red hand of Ulster. However, it is the younger child (though the first to be completely born) that carries on the house of Judah.

For the original mural, see Return To Loyalist Tigers Bay; for “Vote Leave” on top, see Brits Out! and for the insignia to the left, see Your Kingdom Will Endure Forever.

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Somebody’s Child

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Dublin Councillor Mannix Flynn’s installation Somebody’s Child lists the names of 796 children deemed illegitimate and buried without funeral rites by “a cruel Catholic state” in St Mary’s Mother And Baby Centre in Tuam, Galway (Dublin Live | Mannix Flynn).

The work was launched in November 2015. It was set ablaze in January of this year and restored in July with the addition of a call for the disbandment of the Artane Boys Band, the public face of what was the Artane Industrial School which closed in 1969 in advance of the Kennedy Report into abuses carried out by the Christian Brothers. For more on this dispute, see Dublin Inquirer.

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What Did I Have?

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Gerard Gibson, aged 16, was shot dead by members of the Royal Green Jackets (“murdered by British crown forces”) in Lenadoon on 11 July 1972. His case was examined by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) but the family rejected the findings (BBC). This board show today is in a similar style, and close to, that of Fıan Sean Ó Rıordan, but Gibson is not identified as a youth member of the OIRA (as Sutton identifies him).

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The Poppy Trail 1917

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The 1917 board in the Poppy Trail series (1914 | 1915 | 1916) celebrates female munitions workers as well as making local connections to the battles of 1917: George Cairns of Roden Street and Thomas Fitzpatrick of Cullingtree Road.

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Ard Mhacha

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Armagh were All-Ireland Senior Football champions in 2002, beating Kerry by 1-12 to 14 points – their first and (so far) only All-Ireland.

For the Ryan Burnett board to the right in the wide shot, see Undisputed Champion.

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North West Volunteers

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“Hungerstrike & North West Volunteers Commemoration. 1:30 pm Sunday 21st May, Rosemount Factory, Derry.” The march will go from Rosemount to City Cemetery (Derry Journal).

IRSP placard on railings in Foyle Road, Derry

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Victoria Regina

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Cast-iron post-boxes were made by W. T. Allen of London from 1886 onwards (Victoria died in 1901). This one, which is still in use by An Post, is at Collins Barracks in Dublin. The Royal Barracks (as they were then called) were built in 1702 and handed over to the Free State in 1922 and renamed; they are now a museum (WP).

For (modern) green post-boxes in Belfast, see Letters Only and Accomplishments Have No Colour.

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Boyne Bridge Defenders

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The Boyne Bridge joins Durham Street and Sandy Row. Translink plans to demolish the bridge to make way for a new Transport Hub costing 150 million pounds. The Boyne Bridge Defenders (web | Fb) are organising a petition against it on the basis of the bridge’s age (parts of it were built in 1642) and long history. More info from the Tele.

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Buster Keenan

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A new mural to William “Buster” Keenan was unveiled this month – July 8th – coincidentally the anniversary of wife Eileen’s death. Both are listed on the UVF memorial stone (image 3) in front of the mural, along with David Ervine and the Long-Cordner-Bennett-Seymour quartet.

According to ACT, Keenan was involved in the Battle Of St. Matthew’s (in which Bobby Neill and James McCurrie were killed, along with Henry McIlhone). To the left (fourth image) is another “Ulster Volunteers” stone, a “Sydenham roll of honour – to those who gave their lives in the Great War”.

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inverary dr ycv east belfast battalion fusiliers rifles canadian inniskilling rifleman royal navy highlanders

Undisputed Champion

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Belfast’s Ryan Burnett is IBF bantamweight world champion. What was initially given as a split decision was later corrected to unanimous due to a judge mixing up the boxers on his card (Telegraph). The mural above, by Glen Molloy, is on Cassidy’s on the Antrim Road, near Bearnageeha where Burnett (and Paddy Barnes) went to school.

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