“Maghaberry POWs – not forgotten. Segregation for Irish POWs”. With RSF’s “Our actions are political not criminal” still hanging on.
The International Wall, Divis Street, Divis, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00108
In 2004 the first spot in the International Wall (left of the traffic light) was still blank and the wall started with the pro-Palestine mural.
For the whole of the mural, see M01757.
Divis Street, Divis, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00109
More graffiti referencing Johnny Adair: “J-Adair his only crime killed a young handicap Protestant lad”. The “lad” in question was Noel Cardwell, who had a mental age of 12. His crime was to tell the RUC the names of two men who had spiked his drink; they were UDA and friends of Adair. He was beaten and shot in the head (Sunday Mirror). Adair denied involvement and was not charged with the killing when arrested on charges of directing terrorism.
Huss Row, lower Shankill, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00092
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
“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).”
Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill estate, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00068
“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 CNR 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.
North Boundary Street, lower Shankill estate, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00058 portadown district l.o.l. no. 1, shankill rd supports drumcree
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:
Shankill Parade, lower Shankill estate, west Belfast
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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
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, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00052
This is a 2002 mural commemorating the death of the Queen mother, HM Queen Elizabeth. “Salute our sovereign, now we part/To us our queen was dear/Because she had a soldier’s heart/And man she did not fear/Her soul forlorn she will not scorn/Where her worth is known/No rebel hate will harm this state/The bible and the crown”
At the Shankill Road end of Conway Street, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00072 X00088
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 Road. 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
Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 