“In loving memory of all our fallen comrades from A Coy, B Coy, C Coy, 2nd Batt UFF West Belfast Brigade. Murdered by the enemies of Ulster.” UDA Lieutenant-Colonel McCullough was killed by the INLA on October 16th, 1981, outside his home in Denmark Street (out of frame to the right), on information supplied by fellow UDA member James Craig, who feared that McCullough would expose his embezzling of UDA funds.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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This lower Shankill mural commemorates prisoners kept in Long Kesh and the H-Blocks during the Troubles (and prior to the Agreement).
Previously, the left flank bore the letters UDA and the right flank UFF, with LPOW at the bottom of each.
Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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These are 2008 images of the Drumcree mural in the lower Shankill estate, seen previously in 2004. The mural would be “re-imaged” in 2009.
“Here we stand, we can do no other” adapts Luther’s saying at Worms to the standoff in Portadown between the Orange Order and Catholics on the Garvaghy Road, which links the church at Drumcree (shown in the mural) with the town centre.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“This mural portrays Protestant men defending their community which was subjected to constant attempts of ethnic cleansing with petrol bombing attacks of their homes on a day to day basis. Eventually vigillanty [sic] groups were formed to secure these areas.” “Several hundred familys [sic] were forced to flee their homes last night as homes came under attack from republicans. The number homeless is running into several thousand, more people were moving out of riot areas today. The women and children have been offered shelter in cities across the sea. Security forces moved in to bring calm into riot areas.” The event referred to is the rioting in Bombay Street in 1969.
Hopewell Crescent, lower Shankill, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“In loving memory of military commander Stevie ‘Top Gun’ McKeag – sleeping where no shadows fall. Born 1970, died 2000.” McKeag’s portrait (now a head-and-shoulders shot rather than just the face – see M03803) is on a board at the centre of a mural of flags – UFF, Ulster Banner, St Andrew’s Saltire, and UDA .
A previous McKeag mural (on Shankill Parade) had been re-imaged in 2004 (into a Cuchulainn mural). This one was painted in 2006 across the green in Hopewell Crescent.
Hopwell Crescent, lower Shankill estate, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division go over the top at the battle of the Somme on July 1st, 1916.
Glenvale Park, Glynn
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“This mural is dedicated to the Women of Cumann Na mBan, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann & Sınn Féın.” Image “from R[uth] Taillon’s book The Women Of 1916“. For the mural on the left, see Sister Soldiers.
Hawthorn Street, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Miriam Daly was chairwoman of the IRSP (Irish Republican Socialist Party) and shot dead in 1980 by the UDA/UFF in 1980. Originally painted in 1996 by Ciaran McKeirnan, Brian O’Loan, and son Donal Daly. Previously seen in 2001 | 2002 | 2003.
Oakman Street, Beechmount, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan are included alongside the deceased 1981 hunger strikers in a gallery of portraits that has been updated annually since (at least) 2006. The large panel shows blanket-men Hugh Rooney and Freddie Toal, and Bobby Sands, the first to die in 1981.
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Sixteen year-old Glen “Spacer” Branagh was killed by a premature blast bomb during a riot on Remembrance Sunday, 2001. His portrait is on a board at the centre of UDA flags and guns (and the tigers of Tiger’s Bay (which would make it “Tigers’ Bay”).
“If the Provos and the pan nationalist front and the British and Irish governments keep trying to succeed in a united Ireland then they may prepare themselves for another 30 bloody years for the battle will have just begun.”
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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 