Author: Extramural Activity

Neamhcromtha, Neamhbhrıste!

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“Unbowed, unbroken.” Five of the original 18 portraits are missing – see the image from 2006 (as well as the plaque just out of shot to the left.)

This is a version of the earlier Éıre/Ireland mural (depicted as a female in the centre of the mural) seen in 2005.

Mountpottinger Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05648

Understand The Past

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“Understand the past – and build a better future le chéıle Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter.” “The past” in this case is the Battle Of St Matthew’s (“Chath Naomh Máıtıú”), one of the formative events of the Provisional IRA (“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann”) (WP). The “better future” is symbolised by the dove and the absence of a weapon in the arms of the central figures – compare to this Derry mural from 1985. The mural was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.

Mountpottinger Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05647

The Battle Of St Matthews

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Henry McIlhone died in the Battle Of St Matthew’s, 27th June 1970 (along with McCurrie and Neill). There is also a memorial cross. James George and Bobby Jennings are recognized for their long-time contributions to the Short Strand community. The plaque was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.

“Cuıreadh an leac seo ın aırde ı ndíl [ndıl] chuımhne ar na daoıne ó pharóıste Naomh Maıtıú, a thug a gcuıd ama, a saoırse agus a mbeo leıs an cheantar seo agus a phobal a chosaınt, go mórmhór le lınn luatha tréımhse na coımhlınte seo. Ar an dóıgh chéanna lean sıad traıdısıún a thoısıgh sna 1920aí ı ndıaıdh críochdheıghılt ı gceantar macasamhaıl Baıle Mhıc Aırt an fód ın aghaıdh leatroım, an ıdırdhealaıthe agus ın éadan bagaırt an bháıs orthu. Tháınıg sıad le chéıle le sábháılteacht a muıntıre féın a chınntıú. Tá roınnt de na laochra sıúd ar shlí na fırınne anoıs, ach maıreann a gcrógacht agus a gcríonnacht go fóıll agus beıdh cuımhne agaınn ar an héachtraí a rınne sıad go deo na ndeor.”

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05645 [M05646]

Peace Cannot Be Kept By Force

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The theme “Remember the fallen from war” is illustrated by a bombed-out Ballymacarret library on Templemore Avenue and St. Patrick’s church, which is just across the street from the mural, both of which were hit during the blitz in 1942, a police land rover perhaps indicates the dead during the Troubles, while Cuchulainn stands for the IRA (and/or for the UDA?). The word “peace” appears next to an image of Stormont (bottom right) painted in white rather than grey.

We are supposed to remember the dead because (perhaps) their deaths were unnecessary and misguided as means to peace, at least according to the saying along the bottom (sometimes attributed to Einstein): “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” – understanding of the Nazis during the blitz, it seems, and of loyalists during the Troubles. If you have a better interpretation, please (please!) leave a comment.

The mural was imitated on the hoarding around the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road during its renovation, though this version does not mention the blitz and seems to be lamenting the CNR dead and calling for understanding of the CNR community (sc. by Britain and the Orange state) – see X01279.

Lendrick Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05643