Don’t Let Our Brave Men Die In Vain

The Clowney Street phoenix, originally painted in 1981, is repainted – for a history, see The Oldest Murals.

Above, the board at the centre of the mosaics has changed, from an image of blanketmen to a montage of photographs “commemorating the courage and sacrifice of the hunger strikers”.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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The Birth Of The Irish Republic

In addition to the seven signatories of the Proclamation of an Irish Republic, nine other leaders of the Easter Rising were executed in the wake of the rebellion. The portraits of all 16 are part of this new mural (on boards) of Walter Paget’s painting The Birth Of The Irish Republic. (For Paget’s painting, see the painting’s Visual History page.) In order of appearance, the 16 (with links to their WP pages) are …

             (Left-hand side)

  1. John MacBride
  2. Roger Casement
  3. Thomas MacDonagh
  4. Éamonn Ceannt
  5. Thomas Kent
  6. Con Colbert
  7. Michael Mallin
  8. Edward Daly
  9. Michael O’Hanrahan
  10. Willie Pearse
  11. Seán Heuston
    (Right-hand side)
  12. James Connolly
  13. Joseph Plunkett
  14. Patrick Pearse
  15. Tom Clarke 
  16. Seán Mac Diarmada

In Lake Glen Drive, on the side of the Felons’ Club, west Belfast.

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Thatcher’s Dead

Margaret Thatcher, former UK Prime Minister, died on April 8th. The paste-up on Free Derry Corner – “Let’s bury greed with her” – gives the impression that her primary legacy was neo-liberalism but the more visceral reactions – “Burn in hell” and “Your death made my day” – are inspired by her stance towards the hunger strikers in 1980 and ’81.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Republican Newry

Here is a collection of small boards from anti-Agreement republicans (probably Éırígí web) in Derrybeg and central Newry. “Stop strip searching of republican prisoners”, “RUC-PSNI Different name, same aim”, “Release Martin Corey now!”, “Free Marian Price”, “End Israeli terror in Palestine”, “End internment 1871-2013”.

Camlough Road, Carnagat Road, Second Avenue, Patrick Street

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The Egyptian Arch Ambush

“Tógtha ar an 90ú comóradh de luíochán na hÁırse Éıgıptıgh/Erected on the 90th anniversary of the Epytian Arch Ambush. I gcuımhne [ar] Óglaıgh/In memory of Óglaıgh William Canning, John Francis O’Hare, Peter Shields, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. A maríodh iad, agus ıad sa tóır ar Phoblacht na hÉıreann, ag Forsaí Choróın na Breataıne/Who were killed by the British Crown Forces in the pursuit of an Irish Republic. “The republic stands for truth and honour. For that is the noblest in our race. By truth and honour, principle and sacrifice alone will Ireland be free.” – Liam Mellows.”

The ambush was on the night of December 12/13th, 1920; Canning died at that time, Shields on the 25th, and O’Hare the following July. Here is an account from Republican News; testimony can be found in the Military Archives.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Na Fıanna Ard Eoın

“Strength in our hearts, strength of our limbs, consistency of our tongues.” “Na Fıanna Ard Eoın 1909-2009 – one hundred years of resistance. In proud memory Fıan Davy McAuley … Josh Campbell … Josie McComiskey … Bernard Fox. ‘You may kill the revolutionary, but never the revolution.’ Dedicated by the Republican Network for Unity.” The four deceased are portrayed on four small boards, along with standing figures of Fianna from both centuries.

The plaque (alone) was seen in 2011.

Berwick Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Cogús

Cogús [conscience] is the POW-support organisation of the RNU (tw). On the left is a blanketman, on the right is a contemporary POW being beaten by a prison guard in riot gear. “Make a difference – Join RNU – Be committed, stand as one – Implement 12th August Agreement – End strip searches – End controlled movement.”

Berwick Road, Ard Eoın

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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They Think That They Have Pacified Ireland

“They think that they have pacified Ireland, they think they have purchased half of us and intimidated the other half … [They think that they have foreseen everything, think that they have provided against everything;] but the fools, the fools, the fools! …. [they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace]” The closing words of Patrick Pearse’s oration at the Dublin graveside of Jeremiah O’Donavan Rossa in 1915. His remains had been repatriated from the United States to Ireland.

Brompton Park, Belfast

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Our Friends And Comrades

“In memory of our friends and comrades. This Memorial is dedicated to all those Irish Republicans who fought in the Struggle for Irish Freedom, and in the defence of this community in our Time of Need. This Memorial honours their Courage and Dedication to the cause of Irish Freedom. Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a n-anam.” Hugo Wilkinson, Terry Murphy, Paul Watson, Jim McLaughlin, Richard McIlkenny, Jake McGowan, Patsy Quinn, Liam Mulholland, Francis O’Neill, Sean Delaney, Carmel Cahoon, Christine Beattie, Geraldine Rice, Anthony McIlkenny, Joey Saunders, Danny Mullan, Tony Molloy, Seamus Rice, Eamon McAllister, Gerry McAllister, John Bateson, John Barnes, Jim Floyd. With images of the prisons Armagh, Long Kesh H-Blocks, Magilligan, Long Kesh cages, HMS Maidstone, Portlaoise, Wormwood Scubs, Crumlin Road.

“We would like to thank all our friends from Wexford, Limerick & Fermanagh who kindly donated to this memorial. Go raıbh maıth agaıbh.”

Ardilea Close, Belfast

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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