Belfast west

Rev. General Ian Paisley

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Ian Paisley in 1986 (in the aftermath of the Anglo-Irish Agreement) declared that we were on the verge of “civil war”. The reference to Canada is obscure – Paisley went to Canada at the time of the UWC strike in 1974; he also had a brother living there. On the left-hand side of the wall is the “latest from Casement Park: IRA 2, SAS [0]” – perhaps a reference to the killings of Corporals Wood and Howes at the funeral of IRA volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh.

For the mural see Stad Maggie Anois 1986 | 1987.

Beechmount Avenue, Belfast.

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Copyright © 1988 LC
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Those Who Gave Their Lives For Ireland’s Freedom

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These images show a mural nearing completion in Norglen Gardens, Belfast, featuring a Celtic cross and the three republican flags (Tricolour, Sunburst, Starry Plough). “In proud memory of those who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom. Also to all civilians murdered by the British crown forces. Also to all civilians murdered by pro-British elements.” The listed volunteers (and one Sınn Féın member) are “Martin Forsythe, Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, Terence O’Neill, John Dempsey, Sean McDermott, Tom Magill, Sean Savage, Kevin McCracken, Paul Best”. The other mural is of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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A Legitimate Right To Take Up Arms

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Yann Goulet’s Ballyseedy Memorial sculpture, a reflection on the killing of eight anti-Treaty prisoners during the Irish Civil War, was rendered in paint for the funerals of the Gibraltar Three. “I have always believed we had a legitimate right to take up arms …” from an interview by IRA volunteer Maıréad Farrell, executed with her gallant comrades Seán Savage & Dan McCann.”

Falls Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1988 LC
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Then And Now, 1912 – 1987

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“They fought then for the cause of Ulster, we will fight now.” The 75th anniversary of the Ulster Volunteers is celebrated in this mural in Dover Place, west Belfast. On the left of the Northern Island is an Ulster Volunteer in period (1912) garb standing on a patch of ground, on the right, a modern (1987) paramilitary in hood and fatigues standing on a city footpath. The Ulster Volunteers as such did not fight for Ulster – they instead joined the British Army and fought “for King and Empire” in WWI, after which Home Rule was applied only to 26 counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland was created and remained within the UK.

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Copyright © 1988 LC
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