Extramural Activity

50th Anniversary

2022-10-062025-12-07Extramural Activity1 Comment

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]

On Guard

2022-10-052025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The war memorial in Redburn Square, Holywood, was removed in 2017 while the square was redeveloped (Belfast Live). It returned that November (County Down Spectator Fb) with a new base and several additions have been made since then, including the bench above (with art deco styling), a NI Centenary stone (below), and reproduction photographs from the period covering the utility box (final image), including one of the statue many years previously – it was sculpted by Leonard Merrifield and unveiled January, 1922, with the dedication a few months later (History Hub Ulster video | Wartime NI). In addition to the names of 110 locals who perished in the Great War, there are 28 names from WWII (Ulster War Memorials) and one from the Korean War (Traces Of War).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Larne Sports

2022-10-052025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

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.

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Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Some Buzz

2022-10-042025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This lot along Strand Road, Derry, has been vacant and for sale for over a decade. It finally got a face-lift from local artist Peaball (ig).

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Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Bowtown Remembers

2022-10-042025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Three-in-a-row at the Bowtown (Newtownards) newsagents: on the left, “Lest we forget” (final image); in the middle, the emblems of the UVF, 36th Division, and YCV against a backdrop of WWI soldiers; on the right-hand, Captain Tom Moore, who raised money for the NHS during lockdown. Above the shop itself can be seen “East Belfast UVF” while the flag is from the North Down UVF. The sticker on the phone box says Stop PSNI Harassment.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2022 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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X11284 [X11286]
[X11281] [X11283] [X11287] [X11288] X11289
X11290

You Are Now Entering Loyalist Kilcooley

2022-10-032025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“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
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Neighbourhood Watch

2022-10-032025-01-07Extramural Activity1 Comment

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.

Long To Reign Over Us

2022-10-022025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

From before Queen Elizabeth’s death in September, a portrait in (fake) gilded frame below a Red Hand Commando board in Whitehill Drive, Bangor.

Wildflower Alley

2022-10-012025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Handy Helpers from Queen’s University help maintain the Wildflower Alley (Fb) between College Park Avenue and University Avenue. To “recognise the joint effort” (LinkedIn) a mural has been painted (by emic (ig)) along the Stanmillis Embankment, featuring flowers grown in the Alley.

Funding from Belfast City Council. Officially launched 2022-09-22 (Belfast Live)

Update: the side wall has been painted with a human head, wearing headphones, behind a sunflower – see the Paddy Duffy collection.

Let Ambition Fire Thy Mind

2022-09-302025-01-07Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

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.