Belfast west

Women In Armed Struggle

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“Solidarity between women in armed struggle” across the world: female members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Cumann Na mBan, and the Southwest African People’s Organisation (from Namibia) drawn within the symbol for woman (also the planet Venus in astrology). The mural (or perhaps the wall) was “Improved by Sınn Féın Youth” and on the side-wall: “Cowardly loyalists backout”. Falls Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
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1916-1982/Break Thatcher’s Back

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Here is a 1982 image of the Break Thatcher’s Back mural in Rockmore Road, Belfast, showing a blanket man with outstretched arms demanding “status now”, framed by a large “H” and surrounded by barbed wire, Tricolours, and the Starry Plough. In 1981, there was a Sean O’Casey quote on the left, rather than a lily and the year of the Easter Rising — 1916. “Free Belfast” in the top left.

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Copyright © 1982 LC
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We Are Here To Stay

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This mural celebrates the IRA (“Óglaigh Na hÉıreann” at the top) from 1919 (the army of the independent Dáıl Éıreann) to the “present” day of 1982. In the centre, a lark flies against a Tricolour, with the word “Saoırse” (“freedom”) beneath.

According to AP/RN of 1982-04-29, the (earlier) paint-bombing visible in the bottom image was the handiwork of “marauding Coldstream Guards”.

Islandbawn Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
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Our Fetters Rent In Twain

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A phoenix rises from a pair of disembodied hands tearing apart an “H” made of brick, illustrating the lines “and then I prayed I yet might see/our fetters rent in twain/and Ireland long a province be/a nation once again”. Also with the lark in barbed wire, four provinces, and names of six hunger strikers: Bobby Sands MP, Francis Hughes, Ray McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson. Falls Road in Andersonstown, Belfast.

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Copyright © 1981 LC
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The People Arose In 69

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M00217+

This is the oldest continuously maintained mural in Belfast. It was touched up in 1987 and 1990, and was repainted in 2013. It features a central phoenix and the shields of the four provinces, and two rhyming couplets: The people arose in 69/they will do it again at any time. Maggie Thatcher think again/don’t let our brave men die in vain.

Clowney Street, Beechmount, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 1981 LC
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