PUL

Splendid Isolation

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“Splendid isolation” was the name given to the overarching foreign policy doctrine of the British Empire by which the UK professed no permanent allies, particularly among the great powers of Europe. The doctrine was aimed at keeping the UK from becoming entangled in disputes so that the economic activity of the empire could continue smoothly. (Global Security | WP) Hong Kong island became a UK colony after a dispute with the Chinese over UK’s use of Indian-grown opium as a substitute for silver in trading for Chinese tea and other goods. It was turned over to the Chinese in 1997. The Wai Kee “traditional Hong Kong-style cafe” in Donegall Pass has been closed for years but you can still get Hong Kong-style barbecue at Same Happy, four doors down from the mural celebrating the reign of Queen Elizabeth (prior to her death) over the 50+ commonwealth nations.

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X11716 platinum jubilee pakenham street

Death’s Parade Ground

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The bugler in period uniform and the language of the poem are reminiscent of WWI but all of the UVF mural, roll of honour, and reproduction of an old YCV mural refer to the modern UVF and in particular to William Millar [sometimes given as “Miller”], Bobby Morton, and Tommy McAllister. Millar and Morton were ambushed by the RUC on the 16th of March 1983 – Millar died and Morton was injured (Long Kesh Inside Out). Millar was included in an old Cregagh mural – see T00243). Morton died in 2016 (Young Conquerors), hence his portrait shows him as an older man. The same is true of McAllister’s portrait, though no information about him is readily available.

“As the bugler blows/O’er the graves in rows/As reveille sounds/Over death[‘]s parade ground/Where our fallen comrades lie/With our standards proud/Once their deathbeds shroud/We will come from far and near/To salute our dead/And the roles they played/With the Ulster Volunteers.”

The mural was launched on March 19th (ACT) in Pine St. Below the new mural are a roll of honour and a board reproducing a former mural by Gareth Keys one street over, in Walnut Street – see The Young, The Brave, The Fearless.

The vintage graffiti (second image) is in Oak Street.

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Ghosts Of The Somme

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A memorial stone has been added to the fading mural of soldiers of the 15th battalion heading to France in 1915, beginning a list of former members of the Rathcoole Friends Of The Somme (Fb). For the names of the five portraits, and the mural in better condition, see Many Did Not Return.

The title of today’s post is the title of Jonathan Evershed’s book (youtube).

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Welcome To Our Homeland

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Here are two Sons Of Kai tarps in “the C-double-O” (Rathcoole), celebrating fifty years of the flute band. For the controversy over the name (and date of formation) see The Famous.

In the background of one of the wide shots can be seen (the latest version of) the Marky Quail mural.

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Ulster Welcomes Her King & Queen

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… to the state opening of the first parliament of Northern Ireland – with new prime minister James Craig – at Belfast City Hall on June 22nd, 1921. The monarchs in question are King George V and Queen Mary. Pathé has video of the royal arrival and travel to City Hall. In his speech, George appealed “to all Irishmen to pause, to stretch out the hand of forbearance and conciliation, to forgive and to forget, and to join in making for the land which they love a new era of peace, contentment, and goodwill.”

For the coat of arms, see previously The Lion And The Elk. It is not clear whom the twelve framed portraits depict. The six gentlemen in the background are the members of the original Executive Committee, which served as a cabinet to the Commons and Senate – for a full list, with offices, and the original photograph, see WP. Carson’s statue at the entrance to Stormont is on the left. The photograph of spectators at the parade (on the far left) can be seen in this News Letter article. The photograph of the royals in their carriage can be seen here and of the King inspecting the guard here.

The project was undertaken by Rathcoole Friends of the Somme (Fb), with support from the Housing Executive’s Community Cohesion unit.

See also Floreat Ultona in south Belfast.

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Do You Own A Giant Building?

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The search continues for a new home (or homes!) for the Vault artists (tw). It won’t be long before they have to put their paint buckets on their heads and gather up their briefcases and handbags and head out – the building is to be demolished to make room for housing (BBC).

“News flash! Vault Artist Studios is relocating! Are you a millionaire, property developer or rich benefactor of the arts? Do you own a giant building that could house 100 multidisciplinary artists or do you have a friend that does? If so, Vault Artist Studios is interested in talking with you. As a registered charity, Vault can save you money on building rates! Vault can breathe new life into your disused property and transform this city for the better! If you do own a giant disused building and are interested in working with Vault then email futures@vaultartiststudios for more information. P.S. We are interested in working with all different sizes of building, not just giant ones.”

Also included, below, is a ‘Joy Of Painthead’ paste-up by Leo Boyd (web).

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Loyal Servants

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All the emblems of an eventful summer for loyalism: the centenary of Norther Ireland was celebrated on May 3rd, Queen Elizabeths platinum jubilee was celebrated in the first week of June, and then she died on September 8th, at the age of 96. “ERII 1926-2022. Always remembered by her loyal servants in east Belfast.”

For a clear shot of the Union Flag and St Andrew’s Saltire behind the vans, see UK – Scotland.

At the blind end of Montrose Street.

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50th Anniversary

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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.

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Bloody Friday

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On July 21st, 1972 – Bloody Friday – 19 IRA bombs exploded in the course of an hour, killing 9, six of them at the Oxford Street bus station, including 15-year-old William Crothers from Parker Street in east Belfast who worked for Ulsterbus as a parcel-boy. The others were three more employess – William Irvine, Thomas Killops, and John Gibson – and two British Army soldiers – Stephen Cooper (32 Squadron) and Philip Price (Welsh Guards). (BBC | WP | Paper Trail | BBC documentary)

“In memory of the fallen Friday 21st July 1972 Oxford [Street] Bus Station Belfast. Lest we forget”

Major Street, Belfast. Replaces Templemore Avenue Primary.

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