32CSM placard on the railings around Free Derry Corner expressing solidarity with Palestine. On the right is “the petrol bomber” 13 year-old Paddy Coyle.
Lecky Road, Derry
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08979
Solidarity
Month: September 2012
Convery & Mallon
“I ndıl chuımhne ar óglaıgh Brendan Convery [agus] Gerard Mallon, Irish National Liberation Army, a fuaır bás ar son saoırse 13ú Lúnasa 1983. Erected by the Irish Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Memorial Committee.” The pair were shot during an attack on an RUC checkpoint in Dungannon (Sutton | IRSP).
Tamney Crescent, Maghera.
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08977 M08975 [M08976]
The Lions Of Ulster
“100 years of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant. ‘We will not have home rule.’ The lions of Ulster.”
“West Belfast Athletic & Cultural Society – breaking down barriers through sport and cultural exchange. This mural was dedicated by Alderman Hugh Smyth O.B.E. on Friday the 21st September 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the signing of Ulster’s Solemn League and Covenant.”
The eight plaques (from left to right) are to Major Fredrick H Crawford, Volunteer Robert J Adgey, James Craig, the Ulster Covenant, Sir Edward Henry Carson, Sir George Lloyd Reilly Richardson, Captain Wilfrid Spender, Ulster Volunteer Force.
N. Howard Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08958 [M08959] [M08960] [M08961] [M08962] [M08963] [M08964] [M08965] [M08966] [M08967] [M08968] [M08969] [M08970] [M08971] [M08972] [M08973]
In Memory Of Our Forefathers
The Ulster Volunteers of 1912 joined the 36th Division of WWI. After the war, many of them joined the B Specials, which was disbanded in 1970 and the UDR created. The modern UVF was formed in 1965. There is a Willowfield UVF memorial garden in Cherryville St (M04070).
Ardenvohr Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08953
William Steel Dickson
“William Steel Dickson 1744-1824 United Irishman. Minister of a church on this site.” Dickson was adjutant-general of the County Down Irishmen and was arrested a few days before the insurrection (WP). Like Henry Joy and Mary Ann McCracken and William Drennan, Dickson is buried in Clifton Street Cemetery and was commemorated by a mural on the New Lodge Road in Belfast.
The plaque is on the Portico in Steel Dickson Ave, Portaferry
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08948
McGurk’s Bar
“To the memory of fifteen innocent civilians murdered by a pro-British loyalist gang in a no warning bomb attack on McGurk’s bar, Dec. 4th 1971. Philomena McGurk, Marie McGurk, James Cromie, John Colton, Thomas McLaughlin, David Milligan, James Smyth, Francis Bradley, Thomas Kane, Kathleen Irvine, Philip Garry, Edward Kane, Edward Keenan, Sarah, Keenan, Robert Spotswood.”
For the 40th anniversary, a painted shopfront and plaques to the victims of the McGurk’s Bar Bombing were added last December (2011) to the Celtic Cross and plaque already at the site. The text on the info board to the right is ad follows: “At 8.48 pm on Saturday 4th December 1971, a no-warning bomb, planted by British terrorists, exploded on the doorstep of family-run McGurk’s Bar. Fifteen innocent men, women and children perished. Those who were not crushed or slowly asphyxiated by masonry where [sic] horrifically burned to death when shattered gas mains burst into flames beneath the rubble. Nearly the same again were dragged from the debris alive. In the aftermath of the atrocity, the British and Unionist Governments, RUC police force and British military disseminated disinformation that the bomb was in-transit and that the innocent civilians were guilty by association, if not complicit in this act of terrorism. This is despite a mountain of forensic evidence and a witness who saw the bomb being planted and lit before watching the British terrorists escape into the night. From the moment the bomb exploded, and for 40 years since, the families and friends of those murdered have campaigned constitutionally and with great dignity to clear the names of their loved ones. It is a Campaign for Truth that continues to this day. Join us at www.themcgurksbar.com.”
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08939 M08946 (2014) M08931 M08930 M08929
[M08932] [M08933] [M08934] [M08935] [M08936] [M08937] [M08938] [M08940] [M08941] [M08942] [M08943] [M08944] [M08945]
Frazer & McDonald
“In memory of Thomas (Tom) McDonald, murdered aged 15, 4th September 2001. Also William James (Jimmy) Frazer, murdered aged 12, 14th July 1989. Gone but not forgotten.” McDonald was pursued and knocked off his bike by a driver at whose car he had thrown a brick (Irish Times). Frazer (aged 42) was beaten, along with a friend, by three men from Bawnmore and died of his injuries five days later (Lost Lives 3046).
Mulderg Drive, Newtownabbey
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08926 [M08927] [M08928]
McDonnell Street
On adjacent gables in McDonnell Street (strictly, Osman Street), Belfast, plaques to Kieran Nugent and Maıréad Farrell and to Joe McDonnell.
“Kieran Nugent 1857-2001, Maıréad Farrell 1957-1988. In memory of two heroic Republicans from the Falls area who defied Britain’s criminalisation policy in the H Blocks and Armagh Jail, ‘I’ll wear no convicts uniform nor meekly serve my time.'”
“Dedicated to the memory of Vol. Joe McDonnell born here in Slate Street 14th September 1950 and who died after 61 days on Hunger Strike in the H Blocks of Long Kesh 8th July 1981. ‘A mother kneels in silent prayer, a flower clasped to her breast, she lays it on the lonely grave, where her fallen son now rests. No tears blur her deep blue eyes, they shine with loving pride, she knows he fought for freedom, for liberty he died.’ Go ndéanfaıdh Dia trócaıre ar a anam.”
“McDonnell Street” is the original name of the street and presumably not connected to Joe McDonnell or his predecessors; Slate Street is now Osman Street.
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08923 M08924
Martha Campbell
For the 40th anniversary of her death: “In loving memory of Martha Campbell, shot and killed Springhill Crescent 14th May 1972, aged 13. Loved by all who knew her.”
Campbell was the last person to die in the protracted gunfire that followed the bombing of Kelly’s Bar in Ballymurphy on the 13th. UVF gunmen are attributed the killing by McKittrick (186), but no one has officially taken responsibility for the death (WP). A tribute site exists on-line, which maintains that the bullet came from Henry Taggart rather than Springmartin.
Springmadden Court, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08921
Kidso Reilly
“This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Thomas (Kidso) Reilly, murdered by British crown forces 9th August 1983, aged 22 years. Never forgotten by his many friends and his good friend CROOP RIP. May they rest in peace. You’ll never walk alone.”
Thomas “Kidso” Reilly was a brother of Jim Reilly of Stiff Little Fingers and was working as road manager for Bananarama when killed on the Springfield Road on August 9, 1983. Ian Thain, of the Light Infantry regiment, was convicted of his murder. He served less than three years before being released and rejoining the army (like Lee Clegg).
Reilly was a fan of Glasgow Celtic FC – the already existing plaque to Reilly in Turf Lodge was dedicated by Trinity Lodge Celtic Supporters Club: see Kidso Reilly.
Springfield Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08920
Peter Moloney Collection 