Ordinary People, Extraordinary Roles

“This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant Colonel Trevor King, died 9th July 1994, Major William (Frenchie) Marchant, died 28th April 1987, Volunteer David Hamilton, Died 17th June 1994. These brave men died near this spot [the corner of Spier’s Place and Shankill Road, west Belfast] by the enemies of Ulster. No sacrifice is too great for one’s country. They paid the ultimate sacrifice. ‘They shall grow not old/as we that are left grow old/Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn/At the going down of the sun and in the morning/We will remember them.’” King and Hamilton (along with Colin Craig, an RUC informer and not included on the plaque) were shot by the INLA and died of their wounds three weeks and one day later. Frenchie Marchant (in the middle of the image above) was shot by the IRA outside The Eagle chip shop.

For the individual plaques, see A Fisherman, An Entertainer, A Shankill Road Man.

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Life In The Old Dogs Yet

In addition to their Easter parade in April (Irish News) and large hoarding celebrating Charlie Hughes and Leila Khaled at the corner of Northumberland Street, IRA D Company’s presence in Divis now includes a cut-out assault rifle and tricoloured “IRA” mounted on the light pole.

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Le Coq Sportif

Glentoran FC’s emblem features a cock (similar to the rooster on Le Coq Sportif, which made the team’s strip from 1996-1999) and its slogan is “le jeu avant tout” (“the game before/above all). The sources of the French influence is unknown. In the mural above, from outside the Oval, he gives “East Belfast” the boot.

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To Be Continued

Castlebrooke Investment’s Tribeca Belfast team have revealed(!) dates for a new plan and public consultation on their redevelopment project in the “triangle beside the cathedral”/North East Quarter/Royal Exchange. Here is Save the Cathedral Quarter’s description of the problems with the previous plan. In response to feedback, it seems the new plan will reduce the tower from 27 to 10 storeys and retain a redeveloped North Street arcade, among other changes (BelTel).

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Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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