Belfast east

To Those Who Gave Their All For The Great War

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William Frederick McFadzean of the 14th (Young Citizens) battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was awarded the Victoria Cross for throwing himself on a box of grenades that had fallen into the trench during the Battle Of The Somme, July 1st, 1916. The figure on the left is Edward Carson. The close-up below shows a “Sydenham roll of honour to those who gave their lives in the Great War and to those who haven’t been traced but are known unto God.”

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Ballybeen RHC

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“Where so ever, how so ever or whenever we are called upon to make our exit, we shall do so as proud men.” (Another UVF mural in east Belfast has “as free men”.) A hooded gunman from the Red Hand Commando stands at the ready. The first of the four crests is the (rare, possibly restricted to the Morven Park murals) “RHC Youth”; then PAF, UVF, and YCV. Morven Park, Ballybeen.

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Understand The Past

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“Understand the past – and build a better future, le cheıle, “Catholic, Protestant, and Dissenter” – Wolfe Tone”. The past that is to be understood is the 40th anniversary of the Battle Of St Matthew’s (“Cath Naomh Máıtıú” in the “4” on the left) which took place in June 1970. Two Protestants and a Catholic died; the battle was a founding moment in the history of the Provisional IRA (“Óglaıgh na hÉıreann” in the “0”) (WP). St Matthew’s church is depicted on the right.

In the centre is a Tricolour with a modified version of the ‘raised arms’ illustration of ‘everyone has their part to play’ (e.g. Emancipation Of Women has a paintbrush, hammer, and book in addition to a rifle; one in Derry has paintbrush, spanner, coloured pencils (at the end of a shorter arm), rifle, book, and placard – see The Destructive Talents Of The RUC). Here we have a dove – perhaps in place of the rifle – pencil, and spanner.

For information about the 2010 launch, see Glór Mhıc Aırt.

Mountpottinger Road, Short Strand, east Belfast

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…. And Short Strand Too!

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“Dublin, Belfast, Cork And Donegal” was a Sınn Féın media slogan in 2011, borrowing a line from (the song) On The One Road (here’s a Wolfe Tones rendition) and touting the fact that its candidates stand for election in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Mountpottinger Road, Short Strand, east Belfast.

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The Battle Of St Matthew’s

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Henry McIlhone died in the Battle Of St Matthew’s, 27th June 1970 (along with McCurrie and Neill). There is also a memorial cross. James George and Bobby Jennings are recognized for their long-time contributions to the Short Strand community. The plaque was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.

“Cuıreadh an leac seo ın aırde ı ndıl chuımhne ar na daoıne ó pharóıste Naomh Maıtıú, a thug a gcuıd ama, a saoırse agus a mbeo leıs an cheantar seo agus a phobal a chosaınt, go mórmhór le lınn luatha tréımhse na coımhlınte seo. Ar an dóıgh chéanna lean sıad traıdısıún a thoısıgh sna 1920aí ı ndıaıdh críochdheıghılt ı gceantar macasamhaıl Baıle Mhıc Aırt an fód ın aghaıdh leatroım, an ıdırdhealaıthe agus ın éadan bagaırt an bháıs orthu. Tháınıg sıad le chéıle le sábháılteacht a muıntıre féın a chınntıú. Tá roınnt de na laochra sıúd ar shlí na fırınne anoıs, ach maıreann a gcrógacht agus a gcríonnacht go fóıll agus beıdh cuımhne agaınn ar an héachtraí a rınne sıad go deo na ndeor.”

Mountforde Road, east Belfast

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