Area Affiliation

Ardoyne’s Fallen Fıanna

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“Purity in our hearts, strength in our arms, truth in our lips.” Here are images from the launch of the new Fıanna tarp at the top of Berwick Road (Paráıd An Ardghleanna) on Easter Saturday (April 19th). The tarp is an RNU tribute to four teenaged members of Na Fıanna Éıreann who died in 1972: Davy McAuley, Josh Campbell, Josie McComiskey and Bernard Fox – all four from Ardoyne/Ard Eoın. McAuley died of a gunshot wound, perhaps at a Louth training camp (Nelson McCausland). Campbell was shot in Eksdale Street in a gun battle with the British Army; McComiskey was shot in Flax Street in a gun battle with the British Army; Fox was shot by the British Army in Brompton Street. (Close-up of the plaque.)

The tricoloured gal gréıne is in the far-left bottom corner – see the wide shot in the Seosamh Mac Coille collection.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10906 M10905 M10904 M10903 [M10907] [M10908] [M10909] [M10910] [M10911] [M10912] [M10913]

UFF East Belfast Brigade

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The UFF mural on the first gable of (so-called) Freedom Corner in east Belfast has been repainted many times since the first one took over – in 1991 – from a Gertrude Star mural (D00388). Repaints followed in roughly 2001, 2008, and 2011, now followed by the image shown above. The elements remain as before: a balaclava’d volunteer with assault rifle, the UFF emblem, a pistol, and a modified version of the Declaration of Arbroath: “For as long as one hundred of us remain alive we shall never in anyway consent to submit to the Irish [instead of “English”] for it’s not for glory, honour or riches we fight but for freedom alone which no man loses but with his life – U.D.A./U.F.F”

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10893

Easter Sunday Commemoration March

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“Easter Sunday commemoration march. Assemble 2.00 pm Westland Street. Tírghrá.” The sign is the same as in 2013 (M09214), which was a modified version of the 2011 board (M06631).

“Tírghrá” [patriotism] is perhaps a reference to the list (and profiles) of IRA dead.

At the rear of Free Derry Corner (Visual History).

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10891

1ú Caṫlán Oırṫear Tıreoın Óglaıġ Na hÉıreann

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1ú Caṫlán Oırṫear Tıreoın Óglaıġ Na hÉıreann [more typically “Tír Eoghaın”; 1st battalion east Tyrone IRA]

“Beannaımıs spıorad do-ċlaoıte na laoċra atá ına luı ıns na huıgheanna seo.” [We bless the indomitable spirit of the heroes who are buried in these graves.] “do-ċlaoıte” appears to be a Connacht form of “do-ċloíte”, meaning “indomitable”, “indefatigable” (Focaıl Fholaıthe).

The volunteers named on the various stones are Patrick Kelly, Patrick Vincent, Kevin Murray, Patrick Quinn, Patrick Carty, Seán Loughan, Patrick McDonald.

Kelly was killed in the Loughgall ambush – see the Loch gCál/Loughgall tribute mural in west Belfast (also a smaller mural in north Belfast).

Vincent was the driver of the lorry in the Clonoe Ambush.

Murray and McDonald were “killed in action” in 1974 (Fb).

Quinn was “killed in action” in 1973, along with Daniel McAnallen (Fb).

Loughan and Carty were “killed in action”, along with Dermot Crowley, in June 1973 (An Phoblacht).

The flat stone with the phoenix reads: “Romantic Ireland never dies!/O’Leary lies in fertile ground./And songs and spears throughout the years/Rise up where patriot graves are found.”

St Malachy’s churchyard, Coalisland Road, Edendork.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10874 [M10875] [M10876] [M10877] [M10878] M10879 M10880 [M10881] [M10882] [M10883] [M10884] [M10885] [M10886] [M10887]

Up Your Haass

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Political commentary on the Cupar Way “peace” line (near Lanark Way): “Stick Haass up your ass” — a reference to the negotiations which were taking place around Christmas and New Year’s, led by Richard Haass, into the “legacy issues” of flags and emblems (including murals) and parades. No agreement was reached. (BBC | pdf | BBC)

December update: the Stormont House Agreement covered many of the same areas (WP).

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10870

Let Go Of The Past

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“… fight for a better future. It is your choice.” On the darker left-hand side of the board are rioters throwing Molotov cocktails at RUC/PSNI vehicles and the very “peace” wall upon which this board is mounted; on the more colourful right-hand side of the board houses are being built, a student is graduating, children are happy, and workers are taking sledge-hammers to the wall.

With sponsorship from PCSP (Policing & Community Safety Partnership) (web) and Alternatives (web).

Painted by Daniela Balmaverde (web). Cupar Way, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
M10868

The Shankill And The Titanic

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These are two painted metal-worked pieces bolted to the “peace” line on Cupar Way, celebrating “Shankill Ingenuity” and “Identity, Heritage”, while commemorating the lives lost on Titanic.

“1140” p.m. local time, April 14th, 1912, was when the ship hit an iceberg and began sinking. At about 2:20 a.m., in the early hours of the 15th, it went under.

See also: Belfast Inventiveness and Industrial Legacy.

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Copyright © 2014 Peter Moloney
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