Carson

Covenant Of Hearts

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“Ulster’s covenant of hearts” is the title given to the main board in this collection commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Covenant in 1912 and the figure of Edward Carson, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, founder of the Ulster Volunteers, and first signatory of the covenant on September 28th, 1912.

“… to stand by one another in defending for ourselves and our children our cherished position of equal citizenship in the United Kingdom …” (from the text of the Covenant)

“‘It is needful that we knit together as one man, each strengthening the other and not holding back or counting the cost’ – Ulster Council Resolution 1912”

Tavanagh Street, Belfast

M08186 [M08187] [M08188] [M08189] [M08190] [M08191] [M08192] [M08193] [M08194] [M08195]

Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney

Carson’s Volunteers

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“We will not have Home Rule.” This mural is dedicated to the men and women of Willowfield. In 1912 the 3rd bill was introduced and passed by parliament and although defeated 3 times by the House of Lords it was sent for Royal assent. On 9th April 1912 over 200,000 unionists attended a rally at Balmoral including the Orange Order and Unionist Clubs which had marched from the city center. Here they were addressed by among others, Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Irish Unionist Party. On 28th September 1912 nearly 500,000 men and women signed the Ulster Covenant. Factories and the Shipyard in Belfast were idle and silent, allowing their workers the opportunity to attend church and then to congregate at the City Hall. 3,242 men and women from Willowfield signed the Covenant, some in their own blood. They then formed into the 2nd Willowfield Battalion of the East Belfast Regiment U.V.F. commanded by Dr. William Gibson. They drilled and trained in the Willowfield Unionist Club that was situated about half a mile from this spot. With the onset of WW1 in 1914, these same volunteers stood to the fore to defend the Empire as the 8th Battalion [East Belfast] in the 36th Ulster Division. Many did not return, but their bravery and honour will forever be remembered.

“They went with songs to the battle, they were young/Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow./ They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted/They fell with their faces to the foe./They shall not grow 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.”

Carlingford Street, Belfast

M07739 [M07740] [M07741] [M07742] [M07743] M07744

Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney

We Will Take The Matter Into Our Own Hands

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This is a repainted version of the mural seen previously in 2006 – the main elements remain the same but a few Ulster Volunteers/36th (Ulster) Brigade elements have been added (as distinct from the UVF), the quote on the right has changed, and there is a dedication.

The quote is from “Sir Edward Carson, 1912” (probably 1920, 12th of July – Treason Felony | RTÉ): “We in Ulster will tolerate no Sinn Féin but we tell you this – that if, having offered you our help, you are yourselves unable to protect us from the machinations of Sinn Féin, and you won’t take our help, we will take the matter into our own hands.”

The Gareth Keys commemorated here is perhaps the same Gareth Keys who painted the yellow UVF mural in Donegall Pass, and whose death is described in this BelTel article.

Castlereagh Road, Belfast

M07675 M07670 M07671 [M07672] [M07673] [M07674] [M07676] [M07677] [M07678] [M07679]

Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney

Loyal Neilsbrook

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Six panels on the Neilsbrook Loyalist arch: Randalstown Sons Of Ulster flute band, Siege Of Derry, Drumcree “United we stand”, 36th (Ulster) Division, William Of Orange, Sir Edward Carson. For more images from the estate see Loyalist Randalstown.

“This plaque was presented by the officers and members of Randalstown Sons Of Ulster flute band on Saturday 17th April 1999 in memory of all the Loyalist people of Ulster who have suffered at the hands of the enemies of our land.”

Blackthorn Way (at Brackenburn), Neilsbrook Park, Neilsbrook Road, Randalstown

M06201 [M06198] [M06199] [M06200]
M06194 M06196 [M06197] M06207
M06205 [M06204] [M06203] [M06202] [M06206]

Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney

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 plaque reads “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.”

M06079

Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney

We Won’t Have Home Rule

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Northern Protestants prepare to resistance the Home Rule act. Clockwise from top left, gun-running on the Clyde Valley, the Covenant, Carson and the Central Antrim Volunteers (see also M04206), mounted rifles of the Ulster Volunteers (see also M00545).

The plaque reads “They shall not grow old/As those who were left behind grow old//Age shall not weary them/Or the years condemn//As the going down of the sun/And in the morning//We will remember them” (Binyon ‘For The Fallen‘)

Forhill Drive, Ballyduff, Newtownabbey.

M05688 [M05689] [M05690] [M05691] [M05692] [M05693] [M05694]

Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney

The People’s Army

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“The arming, the training, and the sacrifice of The People’s Army.” The arming (left) comes from the guns smuggled into Larne on the Clyde Valley. The training shown here (right) is probably Ballywalter. The sacrifice (bottom) is the 36th (Ulster) Division going over the top in James Beadle’s painting ‘Charge of the 36th (Ulster) Division, Somme, 1st July 1916’. Inverary Drive, Belfast.

M04854 [M04855] [M04848] [M04849] [M04850] [M04851] [M04852] [M04853]

Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney