An Staılc Ocraıs

For the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike [staılc ocraıs], a prisoner reaches for a lark (the spirit of freedom) bathed in sunbeams like a beatific vision. “Go dtreoraí cuımhne bhur níobaırtí agus íobaırtí denár dtírghráthóırí náısıún beo bocht chun bua.” [“May the memory of your sacrifices and the sacrifices of our patriots guide a desperate nation to victory.”] The sentence is attributed to Bobby Sands but the source is unknown – please get in touch if you can place it.

Andersonstown Road, Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03534

Kieran Doherty

“I gcuımhne ar Vol. Kieran Doherty TD, [IRA] Brıogáıd Bhéal Feırste, of 54 Commedagh Drive, rugadh 16ú Deıreadh Fómhaır 1955, elected TD for Cavan/Monaghan 18th June 1981, a fuaır bás 2ú Lúnasa 1981, after 73 days on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. ‘It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can endure the most, who will conquer in the end.’ [paraphrase of Terence MacSwiney]” The memorial stone is in Commedagh Drive, Belfast, just west of Doherty’s home, where there is a plaque to mark his residence “Vol Kieran Doherty T.D. lived here 16-10-1955 – 2-8-1981 Fuaır sé bás as son saoırse na hÉıreann”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03532 [M03531] [M03533]

M09483+

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M09483

Political Status Now

“Political status now” – one of four such small boards along the Falls. The others are “Join Republican Sınn Féın 1905-2001“, “RSF“, and “Brits out, not sell out“. Below it (cut off) is “Go mall – páıstí’ (“Slowly – children”).

Islandbawn Street, Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03530

Conway Linen Mill

“Conway linen mill 1842-1976.” Culture NI has a brief history of the mill. It is currently in use as an arts centre and museum.

“Artists Margaret McCann & Deborah Hamilton 06. Beechmount Community Project.”

Another piece for the project was hung in Beechmount Avenue. See M04431.

Thames Street, Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03527

Máıre Drumm

“I ndíl [ndıl] chuımhne Máıre Drumm, Vice President of Sınn Féın, assassinated by loyalists 28th Oct. 1976. ‘We must take no steps backward, our steps must be onward, for if we don’t, the martyrs that died for you, for me, for this country, will haunt us forever.'” Máıre Drumm was Vice President from 1972 until her death, killed in the Mater hospital by RHC volunteers dressed as doctors.

Falls Road, Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03526

Lamh Dearg Abu

The UVF’s Red Hand Commando are inspired by the British Army’s SAS and uses a similar image for its emblem: instead of wings on a sword, RHC uses wings on a red hand. [East Belfast] C company mural in Ballybeen. ‘Lamh dearg abu’ = ‘red hand to victory’.

Upper Newtownards Road

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03515 [M03513] [M03514]