PUL

Our Brave Defenders

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This is the completed version of the mural earlier shown in-progress. The four main panels show the men of the 36th (Ulster) Division going over the top on the first day of the Somme (1st July 1916), the “angel of Mons” (WP), Ulster Tower (“This tower was dedicated to the glory of God. In grateful memory of the officers, non commissioned officers and men of the 36th (Ulster) Division, and of the sons of Ulster in other forces who laid down their lives in the great war, and of all their comrades in arms who, by divine grace, were spared to testify to their glorious deeds. ‘Throughout the long years of struggle …. the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die’ – 16th November 1918 King George V”), and Thiepval Memorial (“Dear men and brothers, going out/to fight for Ulster’s need/we hail you with a mighty shout/brave friends, and true in deed.//Your country holds you in renown/your names will never be dead/and some sweet angel has a crown/for each dear, manly head.”)

St Leonard’s Crescent (the old Newcastle Street).

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney

The Elementary Right

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“We seek nothing but the elementary right implanted in every man: the right if you are attacked, to defend yourself.” The mural shows two East Belfast UVF volunteers on manoeuvres.

Together with the We Are The Pilgrims mural that was painted at the same time across the street (both by Dee Craig), this mural can be taken as a good marker of the beginning of re-re-imaging, (that is, of new PUL ‘hooded gunmen’ murals) – see Visual History 11. In particular, this mural, unlike its counterpart, replaced a non-paramilitary mural – the Glentoran Community Trust mural.

At the old Bright Street on the Newtownards Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney

We Are The Pilgrims, Master

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“We are the pilgrims, master; we shall go always a little further.” Three hooded gunmen from East Belfast UVF . The line comes from a 1913 poem by James Flecker. This mural was painted at the same time as the ‘self-defense’ mural across the street, and together they can be taken as a good marker of the beginning of re-re-imaging, (that is, of new PUL ‘hooded gunmen’ murals) – see Visual History 11. The design is a popular one: it was used for murals in Mersey Street, in Tamar Street and on the Newtownards Road prior to re-imaging. Painted by Dee Craig.

Newtownards Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney

Banbridge Battalions

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The connections between the 36th (Ulster) Division and the Ulster Volunteers are commemorated in Seapatrick: on the left is the YCV shamrock – the 14th battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles was the YCV battalion; on the right, with the digits “1912” is the West Down regiment, 1st battalion (Banbridge) of the Ulster Volunteers, but we also have the years “1914 – 1918” – in September 1914 men from Banbridge (presumably including Seapatrick) joined D Company of 13th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles (1st County Down Volunteers) and part of the 108th Brigade of the 36th Ulster Division) (Bygone Days).

Seapatrick Road, Seapatrick (near Banbridge), Co Down

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney