Belfast

Let Us Swear By Joe’s Martyred Blood

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“This plaque commemorates IRA vol. Joe McDonnell who lived in this house prior to his capture on 14th Oct 1976. Joe later died at 5.11 am on 8th July 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike in the h blocks Long Kesh. ‘Let us swear by Joe’s martyred blood never to waver of fail til the true united Irish socialist republic stands forth before the nations, a testimony to the worthiness of our case.’ Óglach calma dobhrıste. [A strong, unbreakable volunteer]”

Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03539

The Famine

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“Nature sent the potato blight, government & landlords created the famine.” 1845-1849 saw one million Irish people die and a million more emigrate. During the period, the full range of other foodstuffs was produced and shipped to England, being too expensive for the native population.

Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03538

Stop At Nothing

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“Our rulers will stop at nothing to attain their ends. They will continue to rule and rob until confronted by men who will stop at [nothing to overthrow them].” The quote is from James Connolly on Conscription. Local volunteer Joe McDonnell is portrayed between the names of the ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers. 

Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03537

An Staılc Ocraıs

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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

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03534

Kieran Doherty

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“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”.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03532 [M03531] [M03533]

M09483+

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M09483

Political Status Now

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“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

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03530